(C) Common Dreams
This story was originally published by Common Dreams and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .



Progressives Have the Answers to Transform the Democratic Party [1]

['Joseph Geevarghese']

Date: 2024-12-20 17:32:54+00:00

It's no secret to progressives that authoritarian agendas thrive when working-class voters feel abandoned. Trump’s success in weaponizing economic pain while wrapping it in faux populism has delivered devastating results for the Democratic Party.

While we know Trump’s record is one of serving the ultra-wealthy, his recent signals that he is paying attention to the working class—like his backing of the International Longshoremen’s Association in their fight against automation—should not be underestimated.

Trump is no fool. By publicly siding with union leaders, amplifying their fight against automation, and nominating pro-labor Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor, he is deliberately positioning himself as a fighter for workers. This calculated maneuvering speaks to his understanding that working-class voters hold the key to electoral power. Yet, behind the scenes, Trump’s cabinet of billionaires—individuals who have profited off the backs of working people—tells the real story of his agenda.

The reforms we are calling for—banning corporate influence, rebuilding state party power, and prioritizing grassroots organizing—are the foundation of a Democratic Party that can counter Trump’s agenda and form durable, winning coalitions.

The Democratic Party, meanwhile, stands at a dangerous crossroads. The MAGA strategy exposes a hard truth: the Democratic Party cannot afford to continue losing its connection to the working class. Failing to respond with bold action, clear reforms, and a commitment to the priorities of working families will all but guarantee further electoral losses.

Reform Is the Path Back to the Working Class

The Democratic Party cannot win back the working class without first addressing its own structural decay. The party has grown too reliant on corporate donors, consultants, and top-down strategies that ignore the real needs of working people. A winning path requires revitalizing the party infrastructure and a strategy geared toward building winning coalitions that counters Trump’s faux populism with authentic, solutions rooted in economic populism. In order for that to happen, the Democratic party must address the root causes of its decline.

It’s unlikely that the insiders who built a system that enriches themselves—guaranteeing profits whether the party wins or loses—will willingly dismantle it. Yet that is exactly what is required: cutting off their reliance on corporate donors, abandoning the consultant-driven strategies that fail working people, and rebuilding a Party that serves its grassroots base. This is why progressives are calling for a reform agenda that puts working-class voters first.

The Democratic Party cannot win back the working class without first addressing its own structural decay.

With the elections for new DNC leadership rapidly approaching, a Reform Agenda must drive meaningful change to restore trust and rebuild the party as a force for working people.



Ban Dark Money in Primaries: Working-class voters have no reason to trust a party whose primaries are shaped by billionaire-funded super PACs. Eliminating dark money ensures that candidates win based on voter support, not corporate influence.

Working-class voters have no reason to trust a party whose primaries are shaped by billionaire-funded super PACs. Eliminating dark money ensures that candidates win based on voter support, not corporate influence. Invest in State Parties and Grassroots Organizing: The first step to rebuilding working-class coalitions is investing in organizing infrastructure—door-to-door voter outreach, trusted community relationships, and leadership in every state. A real 50-state strategy means strengthening state parties and empowering organizers, not handing millions to out-of-touch consultants.

The first step to rebuilding working-class coalitions is investing in organizing infrastructure—door-to-door voter outreach, trusted community relationships, and leadership in every state. A real 50-state strategy means strengthening state parties and empowering organizers, not handing millions to out-of-touch consultants. Recommit to a Progressive Platform: To win back working families, Democrats must deliver on the issues that impact their lives—Medicare expansion, living wages, affordable housing, union rights, and climate justice. These policies are not only popular; they are essential to solving the economic pain fueling Trump’s appeal.

To win back working families, Democrats must deliver on the issues that impact their lives—Medicare expansion, living wages, affordable housing, union rights, and climate justice. These policies are not only popular; they are essential to solving the economic pain fueling Trump’s appeal. Increase Transparency and Accountability: For too long, DNC resources have been squandered on expensive media buys and elite political insiders. A reformed DNC must be accountable to its base and transparent about how it spends its resources—resources that belong to grassroots Democrats.

Reform Builds the Infrastructure to Take On Trump

The DNC Reform Agenda is not just about policy—it’s about building the infrastructure the Democratic Party needs to compete and win. Trump’s strategy is already clear. He is making deliberate plays for union voters and working-class families. Democrats cannot ignore this threat or assume Trump’s cabinet of billionaires will expose his hypocrisy. To win, Democrats need an infrastructure capable of reaching working people where they are, listening to their struggles, and offering a real alternative.

This is the moment to choose leaders who will champion the reforms we need and steer the party back to its roots.

The reforms we are calling for—banning corporate influence, rebuilding state party power, and prioritizing grassroots organizing—are the foundation of a Democratic Party that can counter Trump’s agenda and form durable, winning coalitions.

This infrastructure doesn’t materialize overnight. It requires investment, strategy, and leadership committed to long-term progress. That work starts now, with the February DNC leadership elections. This is the moment to choose leaders who will champion the reforms we need and steer the party back to its roots.

Progressives Are Leading the Way

Our Revolution is leading the charge to hold DNC leadership candidates accountable to this vision. Through candidate forums, grassroots mobilization, and ongoing accountability, we are ensuring that working-class voices are at the center of this process.

The Democratic Party’s only path forward is to offer a real, working-class alternative—one rooted in bold economic policies, grassroots organizing, and a rejection of corporate influence.

But this is bigger than the DNC. Reforming the party’s infrastructure is how we build the coalitions that can defeat Trump, retake Congress, and deliver real solutions for working families. It’s how we ensure that leaders like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others in the Congressional Progressive Caucus have the power to hold Trump accountable and advance an agenda that prioritizes economic justice.

The stakes could not be higher. Trump is already laying the groundwork for his narrative. The Democratic Party’s only path forward is to offer a real, working-class alternative—one rooted in bold economic policies, grassroots organizing, and a rejection of corporate influence.

Progressives, This Is Our Moment

We have been here before. Progressives have been calling for these reforms for years, and now, the need has never been more urgent. Trump’s play for working-class voters is serious, and if Democrats fail to act, it will be a failure of historic proportions.

Progressives have been calling for these reforms for years, and now, the need has never been more urgent. Trump’s play for working-class voters is serious, and if Democrats fail to act, it will be a failure of historic proportions.

But the answers are in front of us. Progressives have the vision, the policies, and the grassroots power to transform the Democratic Party and rebuild it as a force for working people. The February DNC elections are a chance to begin that transformation.

This is not just a fight for the soul of the Democratic Party—it’s a fight for the future of our democracy. Progressives must stand tall, organize, and lead the way.

[END]
---
[1] Url: https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/progressives-have-the-answers-to-transform-the-democratic-party

Published and (C) by Common Dreams
Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0..

via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/commondreams/