The best thing about the Democratic Party is that we don't have to hate.

There is no shortage of people ready to point out all the flaws of the Democratic Party. I do it, too. Right now, though, I'd like to talk about why I love being in the Democratic Party.

The Democratic Party is for everyone. We want everyone: liberals, moderates, conservatives, independents, and non-voters to benefit from government. We want everyone to have equal opportunity, regardless of their social position at birth. Moreover, we recognize that not everyone is born with equal social status, so we support measures like social security, affordable housing, a minimum wage, protections for minorities and labor unions. Nobody is left out.

If women are allowed to control their bodies or gays allowed to marry, I have not lost because they have gained. I am better off, too, for living in such a society. If I were a Republican, most likely I would view their gain as my loss, and their desire for equality a power play for "special rights." That view naturally breeds resentment, anger, hatred, and fear.

I don't want to have to feel that way of whole groups of people, to be their enemy, though I have never met most of them.

I don't have to hate, because I am in the Democratic Party.

No thanks.

absolutely.

Do we want gay conservatives to get married and conservative women to choose whether to carry pregnancies to term? Certainly.

Do we want conservatives to enjoy the benefits of unions, a clean environment, and affordable housing? I certainly do.

Don't you?