I think the Democratic party has given up on populism, and has become a party that is protective of issues considered important to some, but not all, Democratic voters.
A simple illustration - think of a union member who is a Democrat, and compare her to a college professor who is a Democrat. Those two people likely have very different ideas of what's important.
I think the Democratic Party has de-emphasized issues that matter to the type of voters typified by my union member, while it has emphasized issues that matter to my college professor.
I do NOT think we should stop worrying about issues the professor cares about. The environment, gay rights, abortion rights, etc - all are important. I just think we need to recognize that we've shut out the union types. We need to give them more of a voice, and listen to what they have to say.
The Democratic party no longer portrays itself as the party of the common people, and no longer works to further the interests of the common people.
When was the last time a Democrat shouted to bring back tariffs, or create trade restrictions to protect American workers?
No way in hell this would happen today. The Democratic Party leadership has swallowed, hook, line and sinker, the big business myth that "free trade" and unfettered globalization are objectively GOOD for all Americans.
Where are the Democrats who proclaim that Paul Samuelson is right - globalization really DOES cause irreparable harm to workers whose jobs are outsourced, and that "free trade" is NOT a panacea.
When was the last time a Democrat stood up on TV and gave a speech about the need for a progressive tax code?
When was the last time a Democrat gave a speech extolling the virtue of labor, instead of wealth?
When was the last time a Democrat stood up on TV, in front of a national audience, and said that lawsuits were a way for the little guy to protect himself against huge corporations?
Instead, the leadership of the Democratic Party runs scared whenever the GOP starts tossing around "evil lawyer" BS.
"Frivolous asbestos lawsuits". Why was that crap not answered with 100 TV spots featuring workers crippled by asbestos?
Today's Democrats still cling to the DLC model, and the Clinton method. The Democrats aligned themselves with big business - just like the GOP.
The Dems work hard to protect abortion rights, the environment, gay rights, etc. Every one of us knows the DNC stance on those issues. These issues are critically important to some Democrats.
But, many in the Democratic leadership have stopped talking about the importance of issues which affect the working classes.
Who knows the stance of the DNC on globalization? Who knows the stance of the DNC on outsourcing of jobs? Who knows the DNC plan to help organized labor make a come-back?
Who knows how the DNC plans to pay for a system to provide health care coverage for the nation's working poor?
The current GOP debacle - the fact that they CANNOT do away with SS, that even their own party members are afraid to vote against SS in the light of day - demonstrates clearly that such issues still resonate strongly with the vast majority of Americans.
Modest government programs that support the working classes are wildly popular with Americans of ALL classes. Medicare and Medicaid are incredibly popular. SS is, too.
It is ironic in the extreme that Bush's best hope to kill SS is the chance that a DLC Democrat may vote with the GOP, and thus start the process that kills the program.
I know you can argue, rightly, that abortion rights, gay rights, and environmental concerns DO affect the working classes - but I think most people will concede that argument requires just a bit of a leap. It's indirect.
The issues I think we need to return to are the issues that hit you in your gut.
Is daddy gonna have a job next year? Is mommy gonna be able to work next year?
Is the coal mine mommy works in safe? If daddy's assembly line machines chop off his arm, will we be able to eat?
Can little Susie get an education at her neighborhood school?
Can grandma and grandpa afford to eat after they retire?
Is it fair for daddy to get taxed for ALL of his income for social security, while that rich banker only gets taxed on a third of his?
Is it fair for mommy and daddy to pay MORE taxes each year, and receive LESS social benefits, while the richest 1% of people pay LESS taxes and get MORE benefit.
Is it fair for daddy to go to jail for a bad check, when that Enron CEO robs millions of people and gets away with it?
How come Texas is called a "rich state" and it cuts a quarter million poor kids from its Medicaid rolls?
Since the common man sees no action coming his way from the Democrats, why should be NOT vote his emotions? Bash gays and vote GOP.
We have simply GOT to get ordinary working people involved in the Democratic party again, in a huge way. They have to be a bigger part of defining the agenda.
I hope Howard Dean feels the same way I do.