A Democrat by any other name...

The following statement is included in the 2008 platform of the national Democratic Party (p. 51-52):

"A More Perfect Union We believe in the essential American ideal that we are not constrained by the circumstances of birth but can make of our lives what we will. Unfortunately, for too many, that ideal is not a reality. We have more work to do. Democrats will fight to end discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and disability in every corner of our country, because that’s the America we believe in. We all have to do our part to lift up this country, and that means changing hearts and changing minds, and making sure that every American is treated equally under the law. "

And, in our own state, the 2008 Indiana Democratic Party platform states:

“The Indiana Democratic Party is proud of our long-standing commitment to and support for civil rights and equality. Our 2008 ticket makes history, creating the opportunity for the first African-American president and the first female governor. As the party of the people, we strongly oppose restriction of opportunity to Hoosiers based on their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or economic background.”

These ideals are what the Democratic Party, and - dare we say - many Republicans, aspire to. The Mayor gets this. The South Bend Common Council, which is comprised of 9 members (eight of whom claim to be Democrats) fell short of reaching the goal of equality by failing to pass an amendment to the Human Rights Ordinance to level the playing field for GLBT persons in July, 2006. Only Pfeifer, Kelly, Kirsits, and Puzzello stood firm.

No doubt this issue will come up again. When it does, will the Democrats be true to their party's ideals, or will they turn their backs on these aspirations? Will the eight (D)s be Democrats, and vote like Democrats...or will they behave like something else?