"Status Quo, you know, that is Latin for 'the mess we're in.'"
Ronald Reagan, charismatic leader, revolutionary Republican.
Take it from the Teflon President: the status quo for the Democrats is a deep pit of poo. They have lost the Congress and the Presidency and have been reduced to a minority party, shouting on the sidelines and powerless. Republicans reign supreme, and now squabble amongst themselves over how to dispose of their spoils: the environment, Social Security, tort reform, the tax system, judegeships, trade laws, a wartime presidency, and an endless stream of pork and deficit spending. It is a very dangerous world, and I wish the Republicans well, piloting the U.S.A. through these waters.
But I don't have high hopes for the Radical Republican leadership. I fear a dark, perilous time looms ahead for the country, with a dim light ahead in the 2008 election. At best, we can hope that incompetent leadership, internal power struggles, and the wiser heads in the Republican party prevent the radicals from going to war again, passing Social Security legislation that creates ruinous, massive deficits, appointing a Supreme Court judge that is rabidly anti-choice, or letting coal companies rain mercury willy-nilly on drinking water and fish stocks.
There is only one worthwhile outlet for deferred hope: work toward the future. It's about time the Democrats did a little soul-searching and rolled up their sleeves to do the hard work needed to be successful opposition party. Having nothing better to do than procrastinate packing, I am going to put in my two cents on the process.
First, let's soul-search. Who are we represent as a party? It is a broad-enough swath of the electorate? What are our values? Forget what we are against: I want to know what we are for. And what are the issues that matter to us? What issues really matter to the people? What are our plans? Are we on-message to the American people? Are we communicating well with the people?
Hmm, that's a tough one. I think my skeptical answer to those questions, in order, is: bleeding-heart liberals, no, amorphous and inconsistent, depends on the election, we have no idea because we are asking the wrong questions, we want to be in power over the current status quo, no we are all over the map, and they know very little about the modern Democratic party. It is a party that includes everybody but has a lack of concerted direction and policy.
What sort of party should the Democrats be? I think the answer is best left to the public, and other columns. But patriotism and necessity argue this: it should guide the nation wisely in these times of crisis, and it should win elections. My own principles would add an addendum: once the elections are won, the Democratic party should stay true to its principles.
The future Democratic party will have, foremost, to win elections and dominate the government. How to do this? First, point out and capitolize on the inevitable excesses of the ruling Republican party. Keep their mistakes and crimes well in the public eye. Second, articulate a viable, powerful series of alternate policies that solve problems that Republicans haven't addressed effectively, like terrorism, climate change, health care, and campaign finance reform and term limits. Work to pass legislation with moderate Republicans, to demonstrate our party's effectiveness. Third, become a powerful populist party that is responsive to the needs of modern America.
Whoa! Populism? That's the silver bullet? You betcha. Democrats are on the outs inside the Beltway; they must leave it to regain their power. The Republicans, for all that they are funded by corporate fat-cats and billionaires, have a powerful grass-roots network. Howard Dean demonstrated the possibility for Democrats to have a true grass-roots empire. It is all embodied by one word: change.
No more lifetime politicians that can't connect, no more mealy-mouthed half-hearted support for environmental policies, no more status quo wavering on term limits and campaign finance reform, no more hypocrisy about being bribed by your lobbyists while complaining about theirs, no more refusal to attack bad policies and police your own party. No more. Democrats mean change, they mean business.
A model Democratic contract with the American people:
We the people have been kicked out of power in Washington, and we mean to take it back. The party of common sense, of fiscal restraint, of common values, of a secure peace, of a healthy economy and healthy children, of a diverse and representative government, of a vibrant, protected environment, of a hopeful future based on science and a tolerant faith--this party, the Democratic party, will return the People to power and lead us to a better tomorrow.
Well, it would be a start.
