Blogging about the bankruptcy bill has led me to think about party platforms. I’ve never believed that an officeholder should be bound by the letter of her party’s platform, but the documents do convey the core values of the respective parties – and should, at least, provide guidance to party members.

Consider this remarkable passage from the Democratic platform:

“The heart of the American promise has always been the middle class, the greatest engine of economic growth the world has ever known. When the middle class grows in size and security, our country gets stronger. And when more American families save and invest in their children's future, America grows stronger still…Today, the average American family is earning $1,500 less than in 2000. At the same time, health care costs are up by nearly one-half, college tuition has increased by more than one-third, gas and oil prices have gone through the roof, and housing costs have soared. Life literally costs more than ever before – and our families have less money to pay for it. Three million more Americans have fallen into poverty since 2000. Average family debt is higher than ever. And as they lose the struggle to make ends meet, one out of every seven middle class families may be bankrupt by the end of the decade.”

I find it unthinkable that anyone can reconcile those words with a vote for the bankruptcy bill. It simply doesn’t work. Maybe the Senate Democrats who voted for the bill (and those in the House who plan to) just don’t believe in the American middle class. Maybe they’re triangulating in order to secure campaign contributions. In the wake of the November election, Democrats have openly criticized the party for failing to develop a coherent message. When I read that portion of the platform, the message is loud and clear – and it’s right. What’s wrong is that elected Democrats are so willing to violate the spirit of the platform in the name of corporate welfare and selfish campaign finance.