We have a lot of work to do if we intend to ensure Trump does not change what most Americans are striving for in their lives. But we, Liberals and Progressives cannot continue doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. We know the phrase and what it means. It is a form of insanity.
We know we are right on economic policies, social policies, environmental policies, social justice policies, and much more. The problem is that we are wrong in how we talk about them and how we reach out to people.
Many will balk at that statement, but it is true. Progressives believe in science. Facts and numbers guide Progressives. But in finding the appropriate method to deliver our message, we forget that reality too many times.
It is a fact that many working class voters see us as elitists who think we know more than they do. They believe we look down on them. If they do not immediately agree with what we know is best, we tend to malign them as low-information, gullible, and dumb without taking the time and effort, however long it takes to engage.
I have even heard us say we need not worry about them at all. After all, we have our voters. There are more of us and less of them. If we just work on bringing them out, we will win. To be blunt, that is downright ignorant, elitist, and condescending. And Hillary Clinton’s electoral college loss showed that.
Yes, more voters believe what we believe. But to assume they are our constituents is fool hearted. Voters must understand they matter and that you are not taking them for granted. You see it does not matter if one’s oppressor is Progressive or Conservative. If both disregard you, you simply don’t care. You don’t vote.
Hillary Clinton collected hundreds of millions of dollars during her campaign. The Democratic coalition, the Progressive coalition is the perfect coalition of all Americans of every race, religion, and creed. Anecdotally it seems Clinton and her team wasted that money with high-priced consultants and advertising that looked nothing like the democratic coalition.
I listened to journalist Roland Martin complaints that he spoke to the Clinton campaign about investing in radio, TV, newspapers, and other organizations that could better reach other communities. It fell on deaf ears. I listened to Michael Moore urging the Clinton campaign to work the Blue Wall to no avail. President Obama offered to work the Blue Wall. They sent him elsewhere.
But this is not a Hillary Clinton problem only. It is a type of cancer that permeates the Progressive space. We talk the talk. We pass legislation sufficiently progressive for many. But deep down we maintain a hierarchy not so dissimilar from the establishment on the Right; do enough to win but ensure we keep the status quo.
I used to scoff when many said that the Democratic Party and Republican Party are all the same. I am not there yet. Depending on what Trump does, I may get there. What do I mean?
Democrats stopped progressive policies when they had a chance.
When Democrats had the opportunity to make America a real Progressive country in policy, it wasn’t Republicans holding them back. It was Blue Dog Democrats.
Imagine if we had passed the right size stimulus. Imagine if we had gone to single-payer universal health care. Imagine if we had nationalized the banks that ripped America off and almost destroyed the world’s economy. The reality is they do not provide a service consummate with their profits and gains. Imagine if we allowed a real free enterprise system to reign instead of crony capitalism.
We had the votes. But Democrats tempered and maintained the status quo. They denied Americans the taste of what could have been because it meant the super wealthy would have to give back some of their ill-gotten gains in the form of more taxes. They denied Americans a robust economy given that a dollar in the hands of someone who will spend it is worth much more to our economy than to one invested in a factory in China or Vietnam.
Republicans outright lie to their constituents. They then get into office and serve the same masters Democrats enslaved themselves to by ensuring any legislation passed, is acceptable to the plutocracy first and foremost.
All Progressive Democrats must say no more. Let’s live up to the ideals of the hard-fought-for Democratic platform that speaks to all Americans. As Trump would say, “What the hell do you have to lose.” We’ve lost most of the state houses and senates. We’ve lost most of the governorships. But we have not yet lost all of the people. So let’s stop the insanity.
First of all, each of us needs to do our part. We do not wait for some edict from the top. We all know what we need in our respective communities. If we don’t, we must learn. We must engage Progressives, Liberals, Democrats, Republicans, Greens, Libertarians, Anarchists, and everyone in between. Have a cup of coffee. Listen more. Don’t try to convince all at once. In fact, you might realize some of what they are saying has merit that may make our platform even better and more inclusive and more robust.
Get out of your comfort zone. Go to some evangelical churches and picnics. Go to TEA Party events. Be seen. Be approachable. Make it not a stunt but your way of being. Over time you build trust and people will start giving your thoughts a listen.
By no mean is this a call to acquiesce to all that is wrong. We must force Democrats to oppose every Trump policy that attempts to dismantle the social safety net. No to helping repeal Obamacare. No to dismantling and privatizing Social Security and Medicare. No to destroying Medicaid. No to polluting the environment. No to global warming policies. Yes to reaching out to our fellow Americans irrespective of their current value system. This is what this Progressive intends to do in the age of Trump. This is what we must do for our children. We can walk and chew gum at the same time.