Why I’m Proud to Be a Democrat

(And why those values matter for my son, my neighbors, and our future)

I get it—politics feels loud, messy, and sometimes mean—especially given the current political climate. But to me it’s also a place where we argue about what kind of country we want to leave to the next generation. I’m proud to be a Democrat because, for me, the party’s values line up with a simple idea: people matter, and our government should help make life safer and fairer for everyone.

Because lived experience should shape policy

I’m not voting from a headline. I’m voting from a life. I was affected by abortion laws. I’ve known the squeeze of extreme poverty. I’ve met people who are undocumented and stuck in impossible lose/lose situations. Those experiences don’t indoctrinate me—they teach me. They make me look at policies and ask one basic question: does this help people live safer, healthier, more stable lives?

Because the platform is about concrete priorities

The Democratic platform lays out a vision that focuses on working people, families, racial justice, health care access, and economic opportunity. That platform isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a values roadmap the party uses to push for laws and programs. Source: 2024 DNC Platform

Here’s what that looks like in practice.

Health care and drug costs

One of the biggest fights has been to make health care and prescription drugs more affordable for people who actually need them. Laws like the Inflation Reduction Act included provisions aimed at capping out-of-pocket prescription costs for Medicare beneficiaries and holding drug price increases to account—real relief for people who were being squeezed by rising medicine prices. Source: KFF

Fixing and upgrading our infrastructure

We all want safe roads, clean water, reliable broadband, and a functioning power grid—especially in small towns and rural communities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law poured meaningful, long-term funding into bridges, water systems, broadband expansion, and other basics that make everyday life possible and safer. That matters to families, students, and small businesses alike. Source: PHMSA

Supporting kids and families

When Democrats pushed the American Rescue Plan in 2021, one of the effects was a major boost to the Child Tax Credit and other supports that helped reduce child poverty dramatically while the expanded benefits were in place. That kind of policy—targeted, measurable—changes childhoods. It means fewer kids worrying about the next meal, and more families getting a true shot at stability. Source: The White House

Defending reproductive freedom and dignity

After the Dobbs decision, protecting access to reproductive health became a central focus for Democrats—both in platform commitments and in organizing across states where access has been threatened. For many of us, that’s deeply personal, and it’s a clear part of the party’s stated priorities. Source: DNC Statement

Because fairness isn’t a radical ask

I want my son’s schools to be safe. I want people who’ve served their time to actually get a fair shot at reentering life. I want women—especially Black women—treated with dignity and safety during pregnancy. I want folks who struggle economically to have opportunities to get ahead. Those aren’t radical demands; they’re basic fairness. The policy fights are how we try to make those things happen at scale. Did you know as a white woman, I benefit from being a DEI hire? DEI isn’t about hiring unqualified people for jobs just because of their skin color, it’s about giving people who are equally qualified for positions a fighting chance to have their resume reviewed.

Because democracy itself needs care

Loving democracy doesn’t mean pretending it’s perfect. It means showing up to make it better—voting, organizing, talking to neighbors, listening. Parties are imperfect tools, but they’re how we pool power and push for the changes communities need.

And I know politics are difficult to talk about, but when the reasonable people in the middle are quiet, all we hear from are the farthest sides of our parties. Let’s be louder than the noise we hear day in and day out from our opposition. Be the reasonable voice, the neighbor who shows up, the person who chooses conversation over chaos.

I don’t expect you to agree with everything I do

If you disagree, tell me why. I’ll tell you why I care. I don’t want a shouting match; I want a conversation. I want us to be able to say, “Here’s what matters to me,” and then actually work from there. If you want action items, here are three small ones we can all do:

1. Tell one true story from your life that explains why a policy matters to you. Personal stories change minds.
2. Volunteer at a local community organization—food bank, school, clinic—so you can see which needs are the most urgent.
3. Vote. Encourage a neighbor to vote. Politics changes when people show up.

Ending on a simple note

Being proud to be a Democrat is, for me, about being proud to fight for people—especially the people who are often ignored. It’s about believing that government can do good when we demand it. And it’s about building a safer, fairer world for my son and yours.

If you’re curious, ask me what one policy means to me. I’ll tell you the story that put that policy on my radar. I’ll listen to yours. That’s how we keep the conversation human.