Improving the Democratic Message

It's no secret-I'm a Sandernista turned Hillary fan and a lifelong Democrat. Hell, I was a sad six-year old when John Kerry barely lost to George W. Bush in 2004.  Politics is my life, and one of my specific focuses is how Democrats can rebuild our party's infrastructure, platform, and rhetoric to win elections. Over my time working in, researching, and pondering politics, I have developed a general, personal, subjective sense of the direction Democrats, and liberals as a whole, should take.

The failings of today's liberalism are evident. The GOP has eviscerated downballot Democrats across the country. The party that historically dominated all across the US now controls a strikingly low amount of state level seats. Make no mistake, gerrymandering, corporate money, and GOP strategy have all precipitated the struggles of downballot Democrats. However, I firmly believe that a series of rhetorical and ideological blunders have damaged the party. Something needs to change. Following is a set of suggestions I would love to see define a new Democratic message. My ideas are far from foolproof, objective, or even uncontroversial. They simply represent a change of course I would like to see Democrats embark upon.

Recognition of Regional Difference
Too often, liberals assume that certain policies objectively benefit all Americans. One such example if the idea of a $15 federal minimum wage. On principle, I would love to see everybody earning a living wage. However, endorsing these types of ideas on the federal level ignores local realities. Such a high wage would, for example, destroy small businesses and register a disproportionately negative impact on rural communities that are already struggling. The state of Oregon's minimum wage plan, which sets minimum wages based on location, takes into account these discrepancies in economic status and cost of living. Another example of problematic liberal zeal is how Democrats package EPA regulation. There's no question that environmental health and society's safety are priorities. However, too often some Democrats act like their regulations should be above reproach. It's really easy for Democrats in New York City to scorn farmers who complain about the EPA's excessive bureaucracy and regulation. The New York City economy doesn't rely on farming; many of these limousine liberals have never set foot in a farming community. A better strategy than arrogantly shouting over relevant concerns could include consulting farmers and leaving more space for downballot candidates. Many of us in rural states disagree with the party's emphasis on more farming rules 24/7. It's time that our party respects that and doesn't hold all of its candidates to policies drafted far away from many downballot races. Democrats must focus on policies that are well-researched and presented with a reasonable degree of local flexibility. This makes ideas easier to market and more effective when implemented.

50 States
This one doesn't take much explaining. Democrats need to invest resources, both tangible and intangible, into all states, no matter how conservative. 2006 and 2008 should have proved that upsets can come from the unlikeliest of places. Bolstering parties in every corner of the US will help us win back state houses, congressional seats, and more.

Bread, Butter, and the Blue Collar
Over the past 25 years or so, Democrats have capitulated to corporate interests. I've discussed this before. Bill Clinton attacked the poor with welfare 'reform', signed NAFTA, and deregulated banking. These are not the issues that Democrats are supposed to own. No matter what you think of Andrew Jackson, the first Democratic president, he pioneered the idea that Democrats should look to the common man. Our definition of the common American (thankfully) has become much more inclusive, but sadly Democrats are giving up their historical focus on working America. Too often, we write off working class voters entirely. In pursuit of the creative class, Wall Street donors, and the Tumblr crowd, Democrats forgot the working people that were such a great part of their New Deal coalition. Thomas Frank understands this-I highly recommend his book Listen, Liberal for an in depth focus on Democratic base betrayal. Bernie Sanders momentarily brought the focus back to working America. He talked about expanding unions, fair trade, and combating poverty. These are the issues that Democrats need to talk about. We need to take up figurative arms and fight for legislation that directly benefits the working class. From expanding the EITC to passing the Employee Free Choice Act, the left must once again speak to the issues of blue collar voters. Additionally, Democrats need to stop dismissing places like West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana as "backwoods" and instead work on outreach efforts in struggling communities. To do this, they must acknowledge the economic and social breakdowns occurring in poor White towns. Between collapsing families, opiod addiction, the death of the coal industry, and lack of opportunity, rural blue collar populations face steep odds in life. Donald Trump has spoken to the insecurity of this group while Democrats have sat back and labelled the White working class as "deplorable". That's not how to win. We need to ditch the arrogance ASAP and start a substantive dialogue with blue collar communities.

Realism, not Utopia
One of the major problems I have with the American left is that too often, it deals in the rhetoric of utopia. Government will never create the perfect society. I, as many others, realize that government has a role to play in building a better society. However, realizing the limitations of policy is critical. At the end of the day, human nature prevents the formation of a utopia. While Democrats must emphasize the government's role in providing opportunity and building stronger communities, they must also be cautious to avoid utopian rhetoric which may repel some voters more concerned with realistic policymaking. Too often, bold promises are broken, which fuels the anger this cycle has levied at the political class. Leave the pipe-dreams to the Green Party.

Promoting the Family
The family is the central unit of society. It is the bedrock with allows people to seek self-actualization. Family provides security, spiritual nourishment, and socialization. Republicans constantly claim the mantle of being the 'pro-family' party. They lament the collapse of American families by citing issues like abortion and LGBT rights, but Democratic responses to these claims are few and far between. Democrats have an unused arsenal at their disposal. Take for example Paul Ryan's budget plan, dissected here by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Ryan's budget proposals systematically target families and receive widespread Republican support. They cut Pell Grants, Medicaid, SNAP, and more. Democrats need to make something clear. Undermining the social safety net is not pro-family. Millions of Americans work hard to put food on the table. Taking away the benefits that help sustain children, prevent bankruptcy, and provide opportunity destroys families. Economic stressors often cause issues like divorces, drug abuse, and household tension. The decay of American families can be traced directly back to the sorts of policies Republicans advocate. Instead of letting Republicans get away with calling themselves 'pro-family', Democrats need to attack the GOP's record on family policies while emphasizing their own strengths in this area. Democrats support paid leave policies, which allow parents to spend time with their newborns. This is no radical idea-most developed nations have already implemented some form of family leave.

Knowing Our Opponents
In politics, as with any competition, it's important to know one's opponent. Chasing one's own tail looking for solutions to problems doesn't accomplish anything. We Democrats seriously need to grasp this and work on researching Republicans. The GOP has strategically played us. They've mastered the art of rhetoric, blending corporatist policies with red meat social issues painted as black and white. Republican thinkers and leaders brought together business interests, economic libertarians, and social conservative populists to forge a winning coalition. GOP rhetoric on issues like immigration has especially maximized appeal to social conservatives and the Tea Party's disaffected voters. While Trump calls into question the long term validity of fusionism, Democrats need to understand the importance of coalition building through rhetoric. We must master the word game to define the terms of debate. Whoever controls the terms of debate can skew public opinion, build support, and maximize their own political potential. Doing any of this fundamentally depends on knowing the GOP. Liberals need to start reading The National Review, The Weekly Standard, and The American Conservative to get an idea of how various factions of conservatives think. Knowing how the GOP frames issues will help Democrats gain the upper hand in the long run. Moreover, Democrats should read books like Why the Right Went Wrong to understand the ebbs and flows of conservatism's various strains. Tailoring a winning strategy depends on extensive knowledge of the opponent.

Growing a Skin
The Tumblr left is a threat to Democrats everywhere. We have become too associated with the overzealous PC culture on display at colleges like Oberlin, where students threw a tantrum about food being "cultural appropriation". There are relevant concerns of prejudice on and off campus, but the more we excuse and embrace the extremist elements who want to coddle our youth, the bigger of a hole we dig for ourselves. I maintain that Trump's strength exists in part because of how out of control the Tumblr left's culture has gotten. Sure, exclusionary safe spaces, absurd use of trigger warnings, and actual prejudice coated in leftist self righteous (BDS) might seem okay if you live in a campus bubble. However, allowing this extremism to taint mainstream Democratic politics irreparably damages the party's image among moderates, disaffected independents, and those who recognize the problems with campus extremism. The extreme left's thought police mentality is not much better than the alt-right's crypto-fascism. They have a lot in common, come to think of it. Both the alt-right and the Tumblr left promote antisemitism. Both believe in shutting down and excluding anybody they disagree with. Both have a self-righteous, often hypocritical worldview. Democrats need to work for social justice without falling into the trap of Tumblrism and becoming annoying PC freaks. The more Democrats embrace radical social leftism, the more voters they turn off from their economic message. A winning strategy will not be led by safe space extremists.

Community Based Turnout
Directly connected to the last point is the idea that Democrats need to build stronger inroads into the community to create a more effective turnout machine. Republicans use churches as a way to connect their message to voters. While on an official level, churches cannot be explicitly political, the ties between Evangelical mega-churches and Republicans are clear. When election season rolls around, GOP candidates often attend church picnics or address church groups. Some even go so far as to provide voting guides that rate each candidate on the issues. Combined with the aforementioned red meat rhetoric, this ensures high turnout. In 2014, for example, Republican results were boosted by strong turnout among Evangelical Christians, leading to high profile victories. Democrats need to build networks through churches and other organizations with mostly Democratic populations, especially in Hispanic and Black communities. This would boost voter registration and turnout efforts among POC, which can make a serious difference in swing states. Moreover, the more in touch Democrats are with their base constituencies, the more open-minded, diverse, and strong their party will be. Working through community groups, even beyond religious groups, grows the party's presence and can help bring new candidates or new issues into the spotlight.

Becoming the Party of Values
In my opinion, this year's DNC yielded some of the most powerful political moments in recent history. From Khizir Khan's pocket constitution to the "USA" chants during General Joe Allen's speech, Democrats at the DNC embraced patriotism. However, in the past few weeks and downballot in many places, I haven't seen the same embrace of patriotism I saw at the DNC. As Trump-Putin links emerged, Hillary was far too silent on the issue when she should have been painting Trump as the candidate looking to sell America out for a quick buck. Democrats need to hammer Trump on the fact that he hired undocumented workers instead of Americans. What a hypocrite! Why aren't we attacking the sellout!? Painting the GOP in an unpatriotic light will help us defeat Trump and combat the constant and false allegations that Democrats are less patriotic. This pathetic myth developed from the tendency of some Democrats to oppose war. From George McGovern to John Kerry (two war heroes!!), even moderately anti-war Democrats were painted as unpatriotic wusses; they didn't do enough to demolish these allegations. We need to convey strength, respect military culture, and embrace candidates who served. Almost nothing makes me as proud as seeing Democratic veterans. We are the party of a responsible foreign policy. We are the party of the GI Bill. We are the party whose presidents won World War I and World War II. Democrats need to stand up and be proud of their patriotic background. Of course there are countless areas in which our nation needs to improve. On a personal level, because I so deeply love America, I want to see her overcome her systemic issues. We must frame our politics in the rhetoric of a love for country, community, and character. By being seen as the strong American party and bashing Trump as an unpatriotic coward, Democrats can start winning again.

In my opinion, this is part of what Democrats need to do in order to start winning again. It's time to establish a new coalition and defeat the Republicans on all levels, in all states. I want nothing more than to see Democrats win. If you have any alternative suggestions, questions, or comments, feel free.