Walter Shapiro explores the four factions that he identifies in the modern democratic party:
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20041110/a_hype10.art.htm
He lists them as:
- Party of Cultural Permissiveness
- The Anti-War Party
- The Party for Economic Justice
- The Status Quo Party
One would infer then that the Republicans are:
- The Party of Cultural Bigotry
- The Pro-War Party
- The Party for Economic Injustice
- The Radical Agenda Party
Why are reasonable positions hurting our party?
In fact, social libertarianism is also a prominent sector (possibly shrinking) of the republican party. We should be able to appeal to these individuals except that republican social libertarians are likely to be economic libertarians as well. Still, when Democrats (often members of faction #3) talk about morals we are dismissed as "do-gooders" from whom no one wants a lecture. I don't see why it should be any different for the moralistic minoritarians, but apparently the SCLM does not agree. If God is really talking to GWB, then why is he saying things that are different than what he is saying to most other religious leaders. "Live and let live" is an American tradition. We must reassert this as a democratic principle.
While some democrats are willing to oppose any war, most of us oppose an unjust war. Approximately 60% of the american public opposed invading Iraq during the weeks before Colin Powell's dishonest presentation to the UN. Why was this a liability in the election? Fortunately, normal populations tire of war so we can hope to regain ground on this point. This is one reason why the Republican administration has not asked for sacrifices. Populations that are sacrificing tire more quickly.
Economic justice was hardly addressed by KE04 except for Bush's tax cut. Child care is abyssmal in the red states (I've lived in both red and blue areas). Young families don't appear to recognize the advantages of democratic policies. Maybe we should enunciate these more clearly. It is 25-40 year olds who are trapped in the cube farms. Democratic family values are about spending valuable time with your family rather than with your employer. Maybe we should concentate at winning and creating change at the local level to rebuild confidence in democratic proposals.
The radical agenda of the republican party goes unrecognized by just over half of Americans. It is ironic that the New Deal was so successful that it created a huge middle class for the republicans to co-opt. In that sense, the republican party is the party of selfishness (I know Ayn said it was good, but still). I think being labeled as "status quo" hurts democrats because Americans believe in progress and republican frames suggest they are "reforming" the system. Americans also believe in community although republicans have been succesful in pitting groups against each other. Democrats need a comprehensive proposal for reforms that will conform to our principles of fairness toward all Americans and empowerment of all Americans. We have to discredit zero-sum-game thinking.