orty years ago in Los Angeles, Democrats nominated a son of Massachusetts to be president. The nomination and subsequent election of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a watershed moment in American history that ushered in an era of hope and promise.
Now we stand at another watershed moment, poised to elect the first president of the new millennium. But today we are already immersed in an era of unprecedented prosperity. The challenge for this generation of Democrats is to ensure that our prosperity continues, that it touches every working family, and that no one is left behind. In Massachusetts and across the country, here's how we'll do it.
Keeping the economy moving.
The dramatic economic growth and prosperity of the last eight years is a testament to the hard work of America's working families and the government's disciplined and intelligent fiscal policies. Democrats believe that to keep the economy moving forward, we must continue the policies that got it going in the first place. That means a balanced budget and a steady reduction of the national debt to suppress interest rates and spur economic expansion. It means investing in innovative technologies right here in Massachusetts while pushing into markets abroad. And it means enacting a responsible tax cut targeted to working families.
Education.
The national economic boom is riding a wave of new jobs and expanding industries. The Internet is revolutionizing the workplace and the financial marketplace. Massachusetts, with its cutting-edge high-tech community and world-class universities, is uniquely positioned to take advantage of these advances. But to do so, it must have an educated, and appropriately trained work force. That means getting in on the ground floor with expanded preschool services as well as improving the educational infrastructure by building new schools, repairing existing ones, and bringing technology into the classroom. It means improving the quality of student performance by at once reducing class size, and raising standards.
And it means job training tailored to a fast-moving economy. Massachusetts Democrats believe the best way to build a sustainable economy is by equipping citizens with the tools they need to succeed.
Health care.
Massachusetts has some of the best hospitals and health care facilities in the world. But all too often, patients are frustrated and confused by the care they receive and find that they cannot afford the care they need. While we have begun to address these concerns in Massachusetts, Democrats will not be satisfied until quality health care is affordable and accessible to everyone who needs it.
That's why Democrats support guaranteed patient access to doctors, specialists, and emergency rooms, and a fair, effective appeals process for those denied care. And Democrats support the expansion of affordable health care to the uninsured, particularly vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
Fighting for children and seniors.
In the 21st century, no child in Massachusetts should suffer inadequate child or health care, and no senior should be denied the benefits they deserve. Democrats want to expand access to affordable child care and ensure that caregivers have appropriate training and supervision. In addition, Democrats believe that every child in America should have access to affordable health care.
Seniors have earned the right to enjoy the fruits of lifelong labor in a safe, secure, and healthy retirement. That's why Democrats will fight to protect Social Security and implement fiscal programs designed to help families build a nest egg for retirement in addition to their Social Security benefits.
And Democrats will fight nationally for what Democrats in Massachusetts have already won: a real prescription drug benefit so seniors do not have to expend their precious retirement savings on critical but prohibitively expensive medicine.
This week I had the opportunity to address delegates gathered at the Democratic National Convention. Though from diverse backgrounds, we are committed to expanding our prosperity so it touches every working family. In the last eight years we've come pretty close with 22 million new jobs, a dramatic reduction in the welfare rolls, and deficits turned into surpluses.
But we can do more - indeed, that is our challenge.
In this effort, we are encouraged by the words of President Kennedy: ''Do not shrink from responsibility; welcome it.''
In Massachusetts, Democrats are striving to do just that.
Joan Menard, a state senator from Somerset, is chairperson of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee, and president of the National Association of Democratic Chairs.
