BY PAUL ARONSOHN

It warmed my heart.  It gave me hope.

When thousands of police officers and firefighters converged on the state capitol yesterday, they were greeted by scores of Democratic legislators. From Barbara Buono to Paul Sarlo … from Bonnie Watson Coleman to Joe Cryan -- the Democrats were out in full force to welcome NJ’s finest with words of support and gratitude.

In many respects, it was a flashback to an earlier time – when Democrats would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with union workers, particularly those who put their lives on the line every day.  The banners and signs.   The adrenaline-filled speeches.    The solidarity between Democrats and the hardworking people they represent.  It was all there, and it was all good.

Sadly, however, it was all too unfamiliar as well.

For the past year, my Party has largely stood on the sidelines as union workers were vilified and scapegoated.  Silent and passive, many Democrats did nothing as others attacked the very people at the center of our Party.   No defense.  No counteroffensive.  No nothing.   During the past year’s great debate over worker’s rights and responsibilities, the Democrats – by and large – refused to show up.

This is not to suggest that all Democrats have abandoned the cause.  Some of our legislators not only get it; they have also demonstrated their willingness to passionately fight for it. 

And this is not to suggest that Democrats and union members should agree with each other on each and every issue and negotiating position.  Quite the contrary.  The Democratic Party is as diverse as union membership, and thus, disagreements over the particulars are not uncommon.

I am suggesting, however, that Democrats were wrong for deserting our friends in their time of need and wrong for taking so long to realize it. Attacks on teachers went unanswered.  Attacks on public safety officials went unchallenged.

Going forward, we need to do better.  We need to protect those who protect us.  We need to fight for those who fight for us.  We need to give our police officers and firefighters the support, the respect and yes – the compensation they deserve.

Simply stated, we count on public safety officials to show up for work and do their jobs.  Now, it is time for those of us in elected office to stand up for them and do ours.

Moreover, we must undo the damage that has been done to our communities.  We must replenish our ranks and retake our streets.  And we must reaffirm our steadfast belief that the most basic function of government – at any level – is to provide for the safety and security of our people, and therefore, our most basic responsibility is to provide communities with the personnel and tools to make that happen.

A good friend recently suggested that union-related activities throughout the country could give rise to “the summer of labor” – an answer to the divisive Tea Party politics that have torn at the very fabric of our country and targeted many of the fine men and women who serve it.   I certainly hope he is right.  I hope that Americans from all walks of life come together and say with one loud, resounding voice – “enough is enough.”  And I hope that Democratic officials in New Jersey will lead the way.

Regardless, yesterday’s show of Democratic support was encouraging.   It was the first clear sign that our Party has regained its voice and rediscovered its soul – the first clear sign that we have found our way back again.

Needless to say, it’s good to be home.  

Paul Aronsohn is a Councilman in Ridgewood and a member of the Bergen County Democratic Committee