While the current trials and tribulations of the Trump White House are entertaining and concerning, Democrats must not let this distract them from the essential goals of the party. The Democratic party lost in 2016 and it is important to understand why and rebuild the foundations of the party. I think we can but we must simplify opposition to Republican leadership at all levels of government.
The Democratic Party chose a new party chair. Meanwhile, Republicans at the state level are acting, as a recent New York Times Headline tells it “State G.O.P. Leaders Move Swiftly as Party Bickers in Congress.” The facts are clear, Republicans control the governorship in 33 states, complete control of legislatures in 32 states, and partial control in 6 states. These are not good statistics. Yet the Democrats seem to be dwelling only on national issues and issues not resonating with voters.
One problem is conservative Republicans have consistent and clear policies on many issues, smaller government with lower taxes, less regulations, and family values. They promise less government and job growth, particularly through business-friendly policies. This is a message that resonates, particularly in states that were traditionally democratic, like Michigan and Wisconsin. The Carrier Corp. agreement to keep 1,250 jobs in Indiana is due more to the state giving tax breaks than President Trump’s verbal pressure. Even in New York, with a Democratic governor and assembly, similar policies are used. But ask voters and I don’t think they will view the Democratic party that way.
This wasn’t always the case. Democrats were successful in the industrial north because they promoted a jobs agenda, supporting unions and seeking better pay and benefits for workers. The Democratic party was the party of the immigrant working class, like the Irish in the 1880s and as they ran for office and became city council members, mayors, state legislators and governors, the party’s strength rose. The Republican party was seen as the party of business interests. There was a friction between the two at the state level and local level, but there was a balance as well. But both parties recognized that good jobs meant attracting business. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Pittsburgh, PA, faced a collapsing steel industry, its primary industry at the time. The then mayor, Democrat Richard Caliguiri, helped create a new renaissance for the city by changing the tax laws and encouraging development. New business and new building appeared and Pittsburgh became a city known for technology and health care. So, while the decline of steel hurt, Pittsburgh was able to recover and is currently thriving. Companies like Apple, Google, and Uber operating there. Uber is testing its driverless cars in Pittsburgh.
These are the type of policies Democrats need to build on at the state and local level. Republican policies like what was executed in Kansas led to a fiscal crisis, loss of jobs, and sluggish economy. Democrats can do better. However, the Democratic party needs a consistent message. That message must be focused first on economics, particularly developing business that creates jobs. Even Democrats disagree on cultural and social issues. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Bob Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania are both conservative democrats. They and other conservative Democrats participation in the party can help maintain balance and focus on essential principles of the party.
Promoting low taxes and fiscal responsibility at the local level is sound policy for Democrats. At the state level, promoting that and policies for maintaining public works, jobs and businesses, and protecting voter rights are also important.
One example is technology. Broadband is ubiquitous in urban and suburban areas. That is because of population density. In small towns and rural areas, there is not enough density (customers) for telecoms to invest. These are the same communities that lost manufacturing. By investing in broadband in small towns and rural areas, these communities can participate in the new technological age. I worked for a technology company that was located in Los Angeles but had employees all over the country. I had a colleague who found it was great to work in a small town in West Virginia, but connect with coworkers and clients around the country using Skype and Go-to-Meeting.
But it is especially at the national level, Democrats need to clarify their message. Support for working-class Americans remains a primary principle of the party. Secretary Clinton lost in part because that message did not come across. Too many working-class Americans felt the country needed a change. They believed they were being ignored, particularly by the Democrats. They believed that Donald Trump would bring changed that helped them. Now we hear that many Trump voters did not really expect Obamacare would be repealed even though Democrats warned them. Now they are worried and protesting at Republican town halls. The Democratic party message must resonate to these voters. Fiscal responsibility, equal opportunity, promoting growth especially in small towns that lost business and jobs overseas are what Democrats need to speak loudly and clearly about. Remember as Tip O’Neill liked to say “All politics is local.” White working-class American will worry less about illegal immigrants and Muslims if they know that government is helping them.
The Democratic party is choosing a new party chair. That person must insure that every level of government has a focus. The principles of the party he or she must promote include:
· Jobs and growth.
· Fiscal responsibility. One of the successes of Obamacare was that it paid for itself. Indeed, the CBO analysis concluded it would reduce the budget deficit. Also, don’t forget Democratic policies led by the Clinton administration gave us budget surpluses by 2000.
· Equal rights and opportunity. Too often Republicans at the state level used dodgy tactics to promote the conservative agenda. The recent election of a Democratic governor is an example.
· True religious freedom, including the freedom to not be religious. When a baker refuses to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple, remember the days when Jews were refused service for being Jews. Providing a service promote nothing more than promoting your business not undermining your beliefs.
My final suggestion is to take a page from the conservatives. They have the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC provides template for conservative legislation. It has been wildly successful at the state and local level. Democrats need something similar, tied to the party and the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The DNC should not only raise money but become a resource and clearinghouse for ideas that state and local Democrats can rely upon. If a good idea is implemented in New York, that idea should be shared with Democrats in Georgia or Mississippi, helping the party to be a greater force everywhere.
A consistent message from the local level to the national level must be implemented, particularly at the local and state level. The Democratic party has been lax in promoting Democratic policies regarding the working-class (no matter what the race) and its message to local audiences. That means Republicans are favored locally, so they have a better opportunity to succeed nationally. It is time for Democrats to reverse this trend.
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