Young Democrats of America Faith and Values

I’m a young person of faith, and I helped elect President Obama in 2008.

This year, I’m doing it again.

I’m making sure my voice and my values are heard again by equipping myself with the strongest strategies and getting help from some of the smartest people around at the Young Democrats of America’s first-of-its-kind Faith and Values Leadership Summit. The YDA Summit is focused on equipping young Democrats to connect with people and communities of faith. Top Democratic leaders will train participants in communications and campaign strategies aimed at showing the deep connection shared between religious Americans and the Democratic Party that are values focused- values like loving our neighbor, justice and opportunity for all, and a belief that we're greater together when we pursue the common good through our public policy.

The Summit is bringing together 100 young leaders from around the country who are committed to connecting with religious Millennials, a demographic group that is increasingly progressive. Through the Summit and other efforts of its Faith and Values Initiative, YDA is developing astrong Democratic faith contingent that speaks confidently about Democratic common good values. YDA is certainly entering new territorywith this effort, but the timing and political environment could not be more ripe. Young people of faith are leaving the Republican Party in large numbers and looking for a new political home more in line with their values, and YDA is well-positioned to fill the void.

I grew up in a Jewish family, attending synagogue and learning about Jewish values. It wasn't until I reached college that I realized a daunting and frightening concept, health insurance (And thus health care) in the United States was no more than a business of cuts and scheming. In college I am studying pharmacy and working towards a Doctorate of Pharmacy, but my education and health care experience has led me to be passionate about equal, high quality health care for all Americans regardless of pre-existing conditions, income or health status. My faith is what drove me towards the Democratic party. I never much gave any attention to the politics of our country until I realized how directly these politics would change my life as a health care professional and a health insurance consumer. President Obama's leadership in health care reform has been revolutionary and brought about justice to many Americans even before its major implementation. I have seen President Obama's leadership to have been a continuance of the great President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his great "Second Bill of Rights" in which he states that each individual should have,

"The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health."

Not everyone had the right to any medical care at all (due to pre-existing conditions or economic status) and even those that did receive health insurance coverage were victim to a business that paid physicians larger bonuses if they denied more claims for care.

While there's much work to do on the Democratic side when it comes to faith outreach, the Faith and Values Leadership Summit is an exciting first-step in what promises to be a worthwhile conversation about which Party best represents the values of people of faith. I am excited to be a part of this unique gathering and look forward to what lies ahead.

 -Arthur Yakov Krichevsky-