There are some who in good faith believe the Democratic party needs to move to the Right on social issues to win again. The belief is we are losing due to "God, guns, and gays."
I just don't agree. This strategy is flawed because the focus is on abandoning our base rather than expanding our base.
**WE NEED TO FOCUS ON EXPANDING THE BASE***
We didn't lose the white working class due to abortion, gay rights, or other social issues. We lost them because we failed to stand up for these people. A generation ago unions were strong - the Democratic Party went through labor to give the white working class the economic security they deserved. These people voted for us because they saw a direct link between the Democratic Party and their own economic security. Today that link is not so obvious to them.
**THAT IS WHY WE LOST THE WHITE WORKING CLASS**
The Democratic Party will not win again until it becomes passionate about a new social contract that would restore economic security to millions of Americans who have lost it. That means
(1) Universal health care
(2) Minimum wage up to $9 an hour.
(3) Status quo on social security, safe pensions
(4) Halt the flow of jobs overseas - companies that do this should have to pay these workers retraining costs plus any needed wage difference up to 5 years.
That is the only way we will win again!!
Thanks for listening. I am just getting sick of reading articles saying we need to move way Right on these social issues to win - nope not the answer.