FLOUNDERING DEMOCRATS
11/23/03
A floundering Democratic Party re-launched in the House of Representatives. Democrats elected a genuine liberal, California Representative, Nancy Pelosi, to head the party caucus. It is about time. The Party suffered a debacle in the last Congressional elections because it surrendered traditional values. Voters had nothing to excite them.
Party leaders abandoned the left wing, as they moved to the right to woo Republican voters. They expected progressives and liberals to follow, because they had nowhere else to go. Well, progressives and liberals found somewhere else to go. They went to minor parties, went fishing, or stayed home. And Democratic candidates lacked votes they needed.
Candidates no longer challenge the opposition, support bold ideas, or promote public interests. They so fear being called “liberal” that they don’t stand for anything. They seem afraid to point out that “compassionate conservatism” is neither compassionate, nor conservative. They fail to understand that the alliance of radical politics and religious fundamentalism represents an attack on those freedoms that have made this Nation great. Democratic candidates will not solve this serious problem by moving to the right. Consideration must be given to the liberal-progressive point of view.
Radicals to the contrary, Liberal is not a dirty word and liberals are not nasty and ill informed. Liberal-progressives created Social Security and Medicare, Headstart, and Peace Corps. They wrote laws to end child labor, reduce working hours, and enhance job safety. They promote laws to ensure food and drug safety. They work to end water and air pollution and to reduce other environmental degradation. They work to end racism, sexism and ageism. They try to protect common folk from exploitation and mistreatment. Strangely, most Americans believe clearly liberal ideas, but recoil at being labeled, “liberal”.
Millions did not vote in the last Congressional elections. Many said there was no “real choice” between candidates. Public opinion of politicians is at historic lows. Elected officials are regularly suspected of being uncaring, unintelligent, or corrupt. Special interests and money are so involved in the election process that the public’s will is ignored.
Hopefully, Democrats now understand the messages of the last election cycle. Candidates must stand for something. Candidates must actively promote worthy public goals and challenge the opposition. They must seek out problems and find solutions. They must ask the right questions. Does the opposition give us honest, able leadership, or radical, self-serving ideology? Is the continuing war in Iraq necessary or desirable? Have we advanced our reputation in the World? What is happening to our freedoms? Where are the jobs? How do we improve healthcare and provide prescription drugs? Can we provide our young with an adequate education and a better future? What can we do for the poor, disabled and abused? What is being done to protect investors and punish white-collar criminals? Are environmental regulations being ignored? Are the American people better off today than they were four years ago? The questions don’t stop until questioners stop.
It is correct to suggest that a floundering Democratic Party has profound implications for our Country. It is wrong to suggest we will be better off if Democrats become more like Republicans.