If you’re frustrated at times with the restraint being consistently shown by those in Democratic leadership, so am I. That said, the next question you ask yourself is why? What is the actual basis of this restraint? Is it an intended side-effect of corporate media coverage, which basically is ignoring the seriousness of the current political situation, and intentionally leans Republican when presidents lean too leftward for their corporate owner’s comfort? Does this biased coverage tend to lead to our perceived weakness and passivity of the Democrats and Biden?
The Answer is Both Yes and No
Yes, the corporate media is downplaying the crisis our democracy is facing and the importance of what’s on the agenda for the Fall elections. Perhaps “downplaying” is too kind of an adjective. Ignoring is probably more accurate, as the Republicans are using state governments when they can and the Supreme Court to circumvent Congress and the Constitution. That’s largely because the corporate world will go on, even if our democracy falls apart.
No, because the Democratic leadership does not appear to be capable of fighting or speaking in any other way. Or change their strategies, tactics and class alliances in ways that needs to be changed if they are to successfully defend the increasing dangerous Republican attacks. And also, because they have contributed to their own self-enforced paralysis by their own unflinching commitment to corporatism, market well-being and corporate $$$.
We Know What the Republicans Represent
History will pass the moral judgement on both parties; either the Republicans will prevail and decimate the Democrats, or vice-versa. Save a few, the former have virtually “gone all in” on Trumpism , America’s unique form of racist colored fascism. They have committed their very political lives to their submission to Trump, corporate dictatorship and to riding the tide of violent extremism and white supremacy to make it all possible. That is what their class policy and goals are.
Can a Political Party Represent all Classes all the Time?
What has the Democratic leadership committed to class-wise? It’s a controversial question, but it’s a fair one that needs a bit of an explanation. Democracy is never class-neutral, no matter what country we are talking about. A political party which claims to represent all classes all the time is selling its citizens the Brooklyn Bridge. Try as it will, money will typically dominate a party in most profit-drive market capitalist societies. That means corporate interests will dominate most policies and political decisions. Reformism and attempts to soften the harsh impact of capitalism are discouraged or prevented by such influences. The leadership, in my view, of the Democratic Party fits this profile. And is not capable of making authentic class alliances with others that have differing class-oriented goals.
As examples of an impossible platform position for such leaderships to put forward: Univeral Health Care for all Americans. That is especially a long-term class interest and goal for most Americans from the lower middle class down to the poor. Yet somehow this never gets on the Party platform. Obama once supported UHC, but corporatism also in his own party helped pressure a different solution, which while helpful fell far short of a broader more fundamental reform.
Another impossibility would be a platform demanding full employment as a national priority. Or elimination of poverty as a similar target. Or more than a token increase in social security as a national commitment. Or a national program/policy/agency to fight and help finance ways to combat global warming.
Even something as popular and uncontroversial as advocating a stronger Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with Real Teeth to better address all the dishonest business practices, loan/bank policies, price gouging and hostile consumerism that goes on will never get to first base because of the consolidation of corporatism in the party at most levels. The priorities of the Party leadership seems much too directed towards keeping the same individuals in powerful positions as opposed to sharing their priorities and power with other classes and developing more class friendly priorities.
Is there a Plan B?
With democracy hanging on by a thread and fascism at the front door, the Democratic leadership finds itself with a dull sword in a developing fight to the death. The Republicans, using both despicable and questionably legal legislation to attack established law as well as extralegal activities, have a gun in the form of their extremists on the Supreme Court, who have literally blessed such activity aimed at dealing a death blow to Constitutional law. The Democrats find themselves with less and less ground to stand on and fight. The Democratic leadership may see the mass movement and a big voter turnout factor in the mid-terms as their own vote getting weapon and way to victory. But it occurs to me and perhaps the reader that they need a backup plan if the Republicans should happen to do poorly in November.
Does the Democratic leadership have a Plan B if either they lose badly in the mid-terms, or win but the Republican controlled Supreme Court finds a way to negate the elections if they do poorly? One or both are certainly planning to sabotage a presidential election loss in 2024 and might try something even in 2022. It seems to me that just as the Republicans are all in on Trump in 2024, the Democrats are all in on the mid-terms this fall. With no Plan B I can see as their current strategy does not lend itself to one. With a strictly electoral approach, the Democratic leadership pretty much would have to accept defeat, no matter how much jerrymandering and voter repression laws on the Republican side enabled it.
Victory is still possible but . . .
Now I think that it’s basically a tossup in November. All is not lost. Victory is still possible and Democrats can hold the Senate. The House may be more likely fall to the fascists. While each fascist movement has its own history, it’s instructive to learn that most eventually fail, but often at a terrible price. The conditions that breed fascism pre-date capitalism and continue to live among us in every nation in the world. It can occur in a poor country like Cambodia under Pol Pot, or in America under Trumpism. The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves.
The limitations of the Democratic leadership will remain regardless of the way the mid-terms go. It is imperative that new leaders with a broader perspective rise to the top. One that better represents the classes and groups that vote democratic, and one that does not tie all progress and policies to the demands of the corporate elites. “We” must become a broader part of both leadership and policy.
New Voices
A final thought, the recent appearance of Pete Buttigieg on Fox illustrated the way to handle a baited political question. He was virtually flawless in his response to the question of demonstrators interrupting Judge Kavanaugh’s steak dinner and the intimidated Fox News host was not allowed to interrupt. I’m sure he was read the riot act afterwards by Fox management. I don’t know if he either wants to run in 2024 or if the leadership would back him. But he’s a type of leader that the party desperately needs. Someone who can speak eloquently, forcefully and cleverly. You can watch the exchange here. It is the subject of this article’s poll. Please listen if you haven’t already heard it before answering the poll. Thanks!