Joe Turnham: We should all resolve to do our part to secure freedom

In 1943 the American artistic icon, Norman Rockwell, painted The Human Freedom Series. Rockwell’s four famous paintings portrayed America and her freedoms: Freedom of Speech; Freedom of Worship; Freedom from Want; and Freedom from Fear. In the spirit of Rockwell’s America, I offer some tangible results of Democratic Party leadership actions in the past twelve months at the state and national level that have protected and enhanced Alabama and American freedom.

Freedom of Speech is also the ability to work and be compensated with equality. With the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Act, Democrats led the way for equal pay for equal work for men and women. Championed by Alabama tire worker Lilly Ledbetter, the Democratic Congress passed and President Obama signed this protection of speech and work.

Democrats at the state level have fought for Freedom of Worship by allowing for the assembly of students in public schools for extracurricular faith group meetings. It was Democrats in the Alabama House and the Senate that introduced bills that paved the way for the voluntary coursework of faith studies in schools. President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have set forth a policy of religious and faith outreach in diplomacy by stressing tolerance and mutual understanding by all faiths in our effort to build healthy alliances that protect the religious freedom of all.

By addressing the calamities in the financial markets and by tackling the deepening recession, Democrats are addressing the Freedom from Want. Democrats helped stop the freefall of our financial and banking system and put into place new measures of ethics and accountability for lenders and credit card companies through stronger consumer protection laws. By priming the pump of our economy, Democrats saved 4,000 teacher jobs in Alabama and are setting the course for energy independence by weaning America’s addiction to foreign oil by investing in new green jobs and technologies.

Locally, Democrats have attempted to remove the sales tax on your groceries and extend unemployment benefits for laid off workers, only to be stifled by Republicans.
Americans fear the future of their jobs in this uncertain economy. We confront an out of control health care system, hostile foreign enemies and environmental calamity as evidenced by climate change and decimated ecosystems.

Democrats are assuring that American’s will have Freedom from Fear by tackling health care reform, climate change and by instituting new Homeland Security border and port inspections. We now have a diplomatic policy of determined open engagement with our adversaries, even as we build a stronger military and bring troops home from Iraq.

Democrats are protecting freedoms in many small ways too by registering new voters, educating children and investing in state-of-the-art research facilities. Our own Chief Justice, Sue Bell Cobb is rescuing families and protecting communities by establishing county drug courts with an emphasis on jobs, interdiction and treatment for families in lieu of jail.

No party or person has a monopoly on fighting for freedom. Freedom is fragile and must be nurtured and protected by each of us. On this July 4th Holiday, let Democrat, Republican and Independent be resolved to do our part to secure freedom for all.

Joe Turnham is the Alabama Democratic Party Chairman.