Here's what we need from our Democratic leaders
Embrace our tradition
Democrats are constantly accused of being radicals, socialists and extremists. In reality, they are 'progressives' in the grand tradition of Theodore Roosevelt, his fifth cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson. It is progressives who have actually saved capitalism from itself by taming its worst impulses.
The term 'progressive' goes back to the 1890s, when William McKinley was president and the Gilded Age tycoons were ascendant. Capitalism, as practiced in that time, included 10-year-olds doing dangerous work for pennies and getting thrown out in the streets if they were injured on the job. This was the logical evolution of an unbridled capitalism, with few rules or referees to enforce them.
For 130 years, progressives have been working to level the playing field so all Americans can compete more fairly: limiting child labor, breaking up monopolies, ensuring the rights of workers through labor unions, setting minimum wages and working conditions, and providing pension and health care through Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
The Great Depression in the 1930s exacerbated the gap between rich and poor and increased calls to replace capitalism with a socialist revolution. Franklin Roosevelt, by introducing child labor laws, union protections, a minimum wage and other fair labor standards, as well as Social Security, dampened the call for more radical solutions.
The difference between socialists and progressives is simple: Progressives don't want to replace capitalism. They believe in it and want to see it work — for everyone. So they support programs that allow everyone to compete on a more equal footing. But the word 'compete' is essential. Capitalism derives its energy from the idea of competition, that we strive hard, take risks and have a chance of winning.
Everyone in society should have that chance. We all deserve to have the basic 'equipment' needed to compete. We wouldn't send a football team out without helmets, shoulder pads and some basic training and expect them to compete. A wealthy, capitalist economy such as ours that wants all its citizens to participate needs to provide them with basic equipment: a good education, affordable health care, minimal food and living costs, equal legal and political rights, and access to a fair judicial system.
That's what Democrats stand for. If they learn how to say so, they will find most American voters want it, too.
Steven Bavaria, Ponte Vedra, Florida
The writer is the author of 'Too Greedy for Adam Smith' and 'The Income Factory.'
Story continues below advertisement
Advertisement
Reclaim patriotism
For too long, Democrats have ceded ground on the idea of patriotism. This doesn't just apply to party leaders; you see it in the people more inclined to raise a Pride flag in June than an American flag on the Fourth of July. The two aren't — and shouldn't be — mutually exclusive.
Instead of allowing the GOP to own patriotism, Democrats should recast what it means to be patriotic. My pride for this country is grounded in the idea that we can become 'a more perfect union' despite our many failures. In fact, acknowledging and recognizing that reality while continuing to pursue a society grounded in 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' is part of American exceptionalism.
It's time the Democratic Party begins to own that message, juxtaposing those founding values against the actions of the current administration.
Tim Weiss, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Embody American virtues
I want to see a leader who can remind Americans what it means to be one. Barack Obama did this so well. I want a leader who influences character: honesty, integrity, respect, hardworking, caring. A leader who promotes prosperity: collaboration instead of punishment, partnerships instead of individualism. A leader who values the advancement of every American through education. A leader who makes the right decisions because they listen to scientists and experts, not just those who are loyal. A leader who is self-resolved so they can put Americans, not themself, at the top of the mission.
Cristina Sandoval, Goleta, California
Return to rationality
Enough of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York). Though I believe that they are often correct in their assertions about U.S. woes, being right does not win elections. Case in point: Donald Trump.
It is time to identify some rational, middle-of-the-road leaders in the Democratic Party who will form a coordinated messaging front. Americans need to start hearing about how Trump's actions will affect each of us and our friends, families, hometowns and states. While Democrats seem to be in disarray, Trump and Republicans are coordinating to tear down the very institutions that benefit us the most.
We need a strong, contrary message. People must be reminded about the success of our institutions. This is how to fight back.
Frank Friedman, Delanco, New Jersey
Story continues below advertisement
Advertisement
Energize the left
Why do people think Democrats need to be more moderate? More like Republicans? It doesn't matter how far we move to the center or right; Republicans won't vote for anyone labeled a Democrat.
We need more Democrats to vote for Democrats. We do that by going further left, by distinguishing ourselves from Republicans.
End Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to reform the campaign process. Make higher education free. (If we can subsidize Elon Musk and farmers, we can subsidize students.) Give women full bodily autonomy. Give D.C. statehood; no taxation without representation. Fix the Supreme Court by enacting ethics rules and term limits. Scrap the cap on Social Security. Tax the wealthy and close the loopholes that subsidize their wealth. Provide better national health care, as other developed nations have.
Democrats need to capitalize on the message that the federal government is a service for the people — not a business for the privileged.
Deborah Powers, St. Petersburg, Florida
Remind us of the truth
Republicans keep saying they want to 'Make America Great Again.' What Democrats need to do is remind everyone that America was made great because of the policies and programs implemented during Democratic administrations.
Nine of the 11 recessions since 1947 started under Republican administrations. And there's ample evidence to suggest the widening income gap and increased health-care costs happened because of Republican policies.
Democrats need energetic, charismatic leaders — such as Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Cory Booker (New Jersey) — who can effectively take back the narrative about who can truly make America great again.
Jason Roberts, Utica, Kentucky
Represent our needs
I'd like to see Democrats support candidates from less-wealthy backgrounds, union-building, single-payer health insurance, government funding for child care, civics education, community values over individualism, consistent and concrete civil rights measures, especially for housing and work, and more training programs for skilled work.
Kate Wessling, Higganum, Connecticut
Do these three musts
Democrats must commit to American workers by creating more jobs and showing how they're investing in the country's future. They must solve our biggest socioeconomic needs by stabilizing Social Security, transitioning from the U.S. health-care business model to a public health-care system, and establishing a fair tax rate on those who financially benefit the most from the country. And they must secure the United States and its institutions from authoritarian kleptocrats and hostile regimes by rebuilding our global alliances and defending free people worldwide. It is, once again, up to Democrats to rebuild global trust.
John Sunnygard, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Story continues below advertisement
Advertisement
Wake up from 'wokeism'
As a longtime centrist Democrat with friends on both sides of the aisle, I think the Democratic Party has far overreached on cultural issues, or what many of my mainstream friends call 'wokeism.' I agree with the underlying sentiment and principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, but the talking points and actions went too far left too fast, and ended up alienating people.
It is time to reclaim the middle, as Bill Clinton did. President Donald Trump has overplayed his hand. We now need leaders — such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who, like Trump, is wealthy and can be seen as friendly to business — to boldly defend democracy, highlight the hypocrisy of the MAGA movement and reinforce the Democratic Party's wholesale commitment to the people: economic justice, defense of middle-class income and opportunity, science that improves lives, civil rights, and free speech.
Other Democratic leaders, such as Sen. Chris Murphy (Connecticut), Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Joe Neguse (Colorado), are capable of picking up this mantle as well.
Malcolm Jeffris, Evergreen, Colorado
Drop this one issue
The Democratic Party needs to get back to the issues affecting the most Americans, such as affordable day care, a livable minimum wage, better unions and affordable education.
What I do not want to see is more emphasis on transgender issues. Transgender people make up a very tiny portion of the nation's population, and their extremely specific needs are hard for many people to understand. Democrats need to put down that sword and focus on issues that relate to everyone.
I am a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat. I never vote anything but Democrat, but even I got very frustrated with Democrats who say people biologically born as men could compete in women's sports. We women get so little as it is! Why would Democrats, who support women's rights, want to put men in women's competitions? I can't understand that, and I don't think most Americans can either.
Nancy Billings, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
23 minutes ago
Protests coast-to-coast over redistricting fight
Both Democrats in California and Republicans in Texas are angling to redraw voting maps, hoping to pick up congressional seats.
New York Times
23 minutes ago
- New York Times
Protesters Against National Guard Deployment Flood D.C. Streets
Scores of demonstrators took to the streets of Washington on an oppressively hot and humid Saturday to protest the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops. Hundreds gathered at Dupont Circle for a march through Washington to protest the deployment, which the Trump administration has claimed was meant to clamp down on crime and homelessness in the city. Many of the demonstrators dismissed that pretext and said the National Guard deployment was an abuse of power. An activist group called Refuse Fascism led the demonstrators as they marched down Connecticut Avenue to the National Mall, filling the road and blocking traffic. Many were wearing bright orange bandannas and holding signs with slogans, including 'Trump Must Go Now' and 'No ICE! No National Guard!' Metropolitan Police officers on bicycles looked on from afar as the group marched in what was a largely peaceful, upbeat protest. Marchers sang, danced and blew brightly colored whistles. One blasted music — by D.C.-based artists only — from a portable speaker. The crowd chanted and cheered at drivers who honked in support. Many marchers were residents of Washington and its suburbs, and they said they showed up to to defend of the region they call home. Robin Galbraith, 61, said she hoped the current moment would underscore the need for statehood in the District of Columbia. She said that, too often, federal lawmakers, particularly Republicans, have used the district as a pawn 'for their own agenda.' 'Trump is attacking my city to distract from everything that's going bad in his administration,' said Ms. Galbraith, a retired schoolteacher who has lived in the area all her life. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Business Insider
33 minutes ago
- Business Insider
'A National Security Risk': Boeing Stock (NYSE:BA) Tips Up as Reports Suggest Boeing Itself Could be a Risk to America's Security
Aerospace stock Boeing (BA) might be one of the biggest companies the United States has. One of the only two companies that handles commercial aircraft at any real scale, and a major supplier of national defense tools, the United States clearly counts on Boeing. But is America perhaps too reliant on Boeing? That is the question some ask. Investors did not seem to care, though, as shares tipped up fractionally in Friday afternoon's trading. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. The recent Boeing strike underscored the point, reports noted, with a strike putting delays in a recently-secured $20 billion contract to build the F-47 jet. Of course, it is worth noting that those delays were likely to happen, strike or no, as there has been a supply issue involved in getting the necessary engines for the F-47. But that point is not stopping some from suggesting that, perhaps, Trump himself should be taking more of a hand in the Boeing strike to get the workers back to work. This could be true, though given that the strike is only about two weeks old right now, it is possible that Trump might prefer to let businesses regulate their own issues instead of jumping in to exert pressure right away. But with Boeing currently the fourth-largest Department of Defense contractor, holding Boeing to a different standard could make some sense. The Unpleasant $81 Million Surprise While some are wondering if Boeing and its internal affairs are a national security risk, another point slipped in on Boeing: an $81 million award against Boeing from a court case about trade secrets theft. A United States appeals court reinstated the award against Boeing in favor of Zunum Aero, a startup that handles electric aircraft. Originally, a California judge threw out the jury verdict of $81 million for Boeing. But the 9 th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stepped in to put the award back, rejecting the original judge's assertion that the information that Boeing took was not, at the time, subject to trade secret protection. Boeing's next move from here, meanwhile, is unclear. Is Boeing a Good Stock to Buy Right Now? Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on BA stock based on 19 Buys and two Holds assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 29.56% rally in its share price over the past year, the average BA price target of $257.05 per share implies 9.14% upside potential.
