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The Democratic Party And Beyond [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2024-11-24  

There's plenty of blame, recrimination, and infighting among Democrats in wake of the massive election losses. The only thing people agree on is the need for change in order to avoid permanent loser status. If winning depends on being in the Center then John Tester should've been able to prevail in Montana after nearly two decades of service. And being a Progressive Populist does matter either because Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown lost his seat to a wealthy car dealer - Bernie Moreano. What should Democrats do? Who's right Moderates or Progressives ?

Maybe this is the wrong question because Moderate and Progressive Democrats have to coexist and work together in the Party. Furthermore, any effort to make America better for ordinary working people and ensure justice for all depends as much on things outside the party.

Democrats need to focus on their most reliable supporters whether it's blacks especially Black Women or College educated urbanites. Most Hispanics including women stuck with Democrats too. Whenever and wherever Democrats have power they should deliver concrete benefits to their supporters. Focusing on Blue cities and states matters more than ever. At the same time Democrats need to keep their voters aware of issues, policies, accomplishments, and the harm the Republican Right is always doing. None of this easy because Democrats don't have the kind of money or propaganda apparatus Rightwingers do. But thats not the same as having nothing at all. Thirdly, Progressives and Moderates will have to find common ground despite our differences. That's not easy because Moderate Democrats often side with Right leaning Republicans on taxes, regulations, and spending. However not all Progressives in the Party are Democratic Socialists like Bernie Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio Cortez so there must be possibilities for cooperation.

However politics while essential isn't the only thing that matters. Laws, legislation, and public policy come from interests usually in response to issues or problems. There are activist groups including some using grassroots direct action to stand up for working people and communities. They are always fighting no matter which party is power at the state or national level. They are confronting homelessness, housing affordability, abortion rights, raising the minimum wage, and climate change. Others are focused on racism, and LGBTQ Rights with a growing commitment to Transgender people's well-being. This activism is nonpartisan and defies ideological boundaries as well. If these people start coming together and getting undecided people involved they could build a power base that changes the social consensus. Politics would have to change too. Imagine an end to the false choice between economic issues and so called wokeness and identity politics.

In the meantime things are bad, and they will get worse. There's no guarantee that people will see right and do it. Remember Trump and MAGA won. However nothing will change if you give up on politics or nobody gets involved in activism and organizing. You have to work and struggle for change you may never see because the cause is bigger than any of us. If there's one lesson to learn from American Conservatism it's the importance of long term struggle and persistence. The Right spent years building themselves up and then getting control of the Republican Party. Their efforts paid off and they have transformed American politics. Only Trump and MAGA have put an end to that Conservatism as we have known it. Doing the work of politics and activism pays off. Now is the time to work in the Democratic Party and beyond.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/11/24/2288415/-The-Democratic-Party-And-Beyond?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web

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