Despite the fact that the GOP Party is now being shown up for the din of corruption that most of us have always suspected (and probably assumed), the Democratic Party is not the default go-to party.
As Howard Dean hinted on the Leno Show the other night, the DEMS have to show that they are worthy of Americans' trust and that we have some kind of idea what we want the country to look like and be like.
Jump with me for a minute...
Ironically, the Democratic Party has to stand up and be honest with Americans about the tough choices that need to be made and report the truths about what is happening on the ground in Iraq and in the Heartland. In effect, the Democratic Party must now become the "Daddy Party".
Since the White House was stolen from America in 2000, the Democratic Party has stood back and let the criminals in the GOP run roughshod over every ideal that Americans hold dear. Now we must have honest, frank plans spoken in plain english and not the hedging, halting tones of Washington-speak personified by lost sheep in wolf's clothing like John Kerry.
Here are a couple of points where I think the Democrats are failing.
The first point is the Democratic Party has failed to acknowledge that it is the party that leans toward socialism. Use whatever politically correct word you want to mask this term but in the end, it is the only correct term. "We're all in this together," is the only correct phrase that fits.
The Democratic Party must embrace this fact without shame. Don't hide it. Don't suppress it. Don't make deals with devils to maybe, hopefully get something passed that is similar to this ideal. Be loud, be proud and explain how it is beneficial to everyone for everyone to contribute to the benefit of everyone.
The second point is that the Democratic Party has failed to clean its own house. Sure it is great fun for them to sit back and point and shout names like Safavian, Rove, Abramoff, Scanlon, Delay, the Duke-stir, Libby and on and on (whoa I forgot how many there are), but if the Dems have even one mote to the GOPS countless beams then the Dems haven't a leg to stand on.
The immediate reaction for a lot on the left of the aisle is to try and equivocate. "They have beams, we only motes..." is not a defence. It is whining.
In short, the Dems must clean house. If there is one elected official with a D after his name, he (or she) must pay prices. That person must recant or face expulsion.
Howard Dean has touched on this idea only slightly. He must take the mule by its ears, wrestle it to the ground, inspect it fully and brand it as clean. Anyone who stops his investigations must be cast out. Lawbreakers cannot be abided and the Party should lead the investigations and prosecutions of its own.
Without embracing this point, the Dems are no better than the GOP.
Lastly, the Democratic Party should champion transperancy in everything possible. Just demanding documents released that incriminate the right is not protecting Americans. Demanding that transperancy be the watchword on everything is protecting Americans and restoring trust to Washington.
If a Democrat demands to see one document and then a GOP demands to see another, then there should be no question. The Dems can't say yes to one thing and no to another.
So, socialism, clean house and transperancy. These are core and not suggestions. They are imperatives, in my estimation, if the Democratic Party is every going to be the party of choice.