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Why are Democrats so Disorganized? [1]
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Date: 2022-11-30
A hundred years ago the cowboy humorist Will Rogers famously said, "I don't belong to any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!" Not much has changed in 100 years. The lost opportunity of the most recent election is a good example. The surprising and unprecedented Red trickle reveals a disturbing reality hidden by our self-congratulatory exaltation that we weren't overwhelmed by the predicted Red tsunami. If New York State's Democratic Party had done its job (like knocking on doors and getting out the vote) we wouldn't have lost four traditionally blue seats in the House of Representatives AND THE DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE CONTROLLED BOTH HOUSES. (New York was 47th amongst the states in voter participation in the last election.) Such a result would have been a total repudiation of Trumpism. It would have made the next two years easier to pass important and necessary legislation as well as provided tailwind to sane (but gutless) Republicans– a double win for the health of American Democracy. We wouldn't have a gutless speaker of the House having to suck up to the likes of Marjorie Taylor Green. Democrats would control the committees, especially the committee investigating the treason of January 6th.
Why did we lose those four seats? Well one reason was offered on a 'Majority Report' podcast. It was the kind of smarmy condescending explanation that makes middle of the road voters want to vomit. According to them it was the Democratic mayor of New York constantly talking about crime in New York. According to these "progressives" if he hadn't made crime such an issue it wouldn't have been in the news and people wouldn't have thought about it and would have voted Democratic. In other words, if not for the mayor's non-progressive pandering to reactionary 'law and order' false consciousness, the ignorant masses, unaware of their true interests, would not have noticed the increased crime and trundled dutifully to the polls, producing an historic blue trickle. This is the kind of apologetics that often cites the irrefutable facts that statistically crime in New York is significantly less than in the 90s, and that the Red States have a higher per capita rate of crime than Blue States, and that crime amongst immigrants (including "illegals") is significantly less than amongst "real Americans". This, of course, completely ignores the fact that real human beings think anecdotally rather than statistically. People who are victims of crime or know people who have been victims could care less about statistics.
Unlike the Democrats, the Republicans, have been a very organized political party. This explains why the increasingly minority Republican party has sustained and sometimes even increased its political power throughout the decades from 1990 to 2020' despite having won the popular vote only once in the last 22 years, having the lowest percentage of registered voters, and advocating the most unpopular policies. The policies of the Democrats, when presented in opinion polls divorced from party identification, consistently receive 60% or more approval. But the Republicans, unlike the Democrats, have had a long term trans-election 'grand strategy'. The Democrats, on the other hand, slide from election to election, spouting majestic slogans (very often in that smarmy condescending way referenced above) guaranteed to alienate large numbers of people who are more interested in bread and butter issues such as crime, inflation and border security.
Unlike the Democratic Party, Republicans by way of conservative political organizations such as the Federalist Society, the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute, have been thinking and operating long-term strategically for decades. Their success in transforming the federal courts, dominating state legislatures (even in ostensibly blue states) and getting legislation passed at the state level to limit voting has been extraordinary. The time has come to futurize the Democratic Party. Following are some preliminary ideas.
A Democratic Party Grand Strategy
Flipping Red to Blue
One of the main takeaways from recent elections is that turnout is the key to winning – not converting Trump voters. The Republicans have long recognized the power of turnout, thus their long-term grand-strategy of finding direct and indirect ways and means to suppress voter registration and actual voting. Their focus on midterm voter turnout and attention to state legislatures has put the Democrats to shame. In order to neutralize and reverse the effects of this Republican strategy increasing voter turnout should be the grassroots activity of Democrats for the next two years at least. With the White House and the Department of Justice still in Democrat hands, the opportunity for a vast improvement in voter registration is obvious.
Immediate Steps (by executive order)
According to the Pew Research Center the United States has been 30th in voter participation amongst the 35 members of the OECD for which reliable voter data is available. This most recent presidential election, while witnessing the biggest percentage turnout since 1908, still barely brings the USA up to the OECD average. This is a disgrace for the leader of the free world. In the name of the honor of American democracy the President should declare the 90% Plan; the aim being to register 90% of the country's eligible voters and getting 90% of these registered voters to vote. Registration is the key. U.S. turnout in 2016 was 86.8% of registered voters, fifth-highest among OECD countries . The problem is that the USA has one of the lowest rates of registration. Given her voter registration successes in Georgia I would appoint Stacy Abrams to head the program and instruct the Department of Justice to give her every support possible under the law by prosecuting individuals and organizations for violating civil rights by the now familiar direct and indirect methods of voter suppression. Given the Republicans' blatant suppression of voters based on ethnicity the Democratic administration should be unapologetic about where it initially directs its registration and turnout energies (the Republicans are never ashamed of anything). The plan should concentrate on North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas. It should target groups in these states with historically lower than average voting turnout because of direct and indirect suppression. By greatly improving mid-term Democratic turnout we can increase our power in State Houses and the Congress while strengthening our foothold positions in Georgia and Pennsylvania and hopefully flipping North Carolina in 2024. Despite repeated defeats in recent elections, Texas presents a unique opportunity to be flipped by 2024 because, currently, it is ranked 51st in turnout amongst the 50 states and Washington DC. It is, not surprisingly, ranked the most difficult state to vote in. It has 6 million more people than Florida but around the same number of voters. It is 46th in the number of non-Hispanic whites (less than 43%). 32% of the state is Hispanic, 12% African American and the rest a combination of Native Americans and other. Can anyone doubt that the preponderance of those prevented from voting would have voted Democrat, even considering Trump's recent significant inroads into the veteran Hispanic community? If only 60% of these 6 million 'missing' voters had voted for the Democrats we would have won Texas by over a half a million votes in 2020. Voter ID. One of Ms. Abrams top priorities might be to assure that every American has a passport; one in which people have the option to list their exact address. Another idea might be for the President to issue an executive order that people have the option (not the obligation) to have a Social Security card with their picture and current address. The myth of the USA not having an ID card, as with almost every other country in the world, must be dispelled. Try getting a drivers' license, bank loan, or credit card without your Social Security number. Try submitting your tax returns without filling in your Social Security number. I have no doubt that some boorish Republicans will attack all of this, but we must put them in the embarrassing position of claiming that an American Passport (or Social Security card) is not an adequate ID for voting purposes.
Deep long term (by way of Congress)
By proposing ideas that are undeniably good for the country we could also flip several presently very red states blue in the very long run. For example:
Introduce a Bill to establish a special development area at the nexus of North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana (America's 4 "rotten boroughs" in terms of population versus political clout). This would be a land area about the size of the state of Connecticut. Individuals and companies who settle in this area would be excused from paying federal taxes for a period of 49 years – an offer good until 2035. They would, however, have to pay state, county, and local taxes improving the tax base of all four states. By 2050 we might expect several million culturally urban (i.e. predominately 'bluish') people to have moved to these areas which would at least put all four states into play for Democratic candidates. We are talking about 8 senators. The distance between Jefferson county West Virginia and Washington DC is about the same as from Trenton New Jersey to Manhattan – about 70 miles. The present train commute from Trenton to NY is 58 minutes. A high speed train could make the commute from Jefferson to DC in 35-40 minutes and would transform the county from an exurban area into a very attractive DC suburb attracting predominately 'bluish' voters. Not only would this improve the economic base of the poorest state in the Union it would also tend to make the state bluer in the long run (Manchin being a de-facto purple Senator).
These two suggestions are predicated on the assumption that the higher the density, higher the education and more urban the population (urban in culture not only in density) the bluer the voting. Since these proposals would economically benefit all 5 red states it would be difficult for Republicans in Congress to oppose them.
Other ways to 'Blue' the voting public
Introduce a federal law making it a criminal offense to design voting rules or redistrict based on race or religion – the GOP will resist but this will just build long term resentment amongst the demographics affected (even if not passed into law). Encourage lawsuits of individuals and groups against counties, states and individual officials that have stricken eligible voters from their roles or have used bureaucratic means to inhibit registration and make access to polls a nightmare. Flood the courts with these suits. Even if we lose many of them the inconvenience will inhibit future bad behavior. No taxation without representation.
Citizens of D.C. and Puerto Rico should have representation in both houses of Congress or they should not have to pay Federal taxes. In other words statehood for both or statehood for Puerto Rico while the inhabited part of Washington City is annexed to Virginia (the home state of its namesake) or Maryland or divided between the two, all but guaranteeing the blueness of these states for the foreseeable future. The National Mall containing all government buildings, monuments and memorials would still be called Washington DC fulfilling its constitutional function. Felons who have served their time should be granted the right to vote (as in Florida) or not have to pay federal, state, or local taxes. This should be backed up by the DOJ in local and state courts and taken to Supreme Court if necessary. American citizens who were born overseas and never lived permanently in the state their parents (or parent) hailed from are presently prevented from voting in 13 States but are still liable to all American tax laws. They also must be granted to right to vote or forgiven all tax obligations. To this end the Military and Overseas Voter Act should finally be legislated into Law. Assuming that overseas voters split 55-45 in favor of Democrats this should be a constitutional issue that the Democrats must pursue in the courts if they cannot get it through Congress; especially as the list includes swing states such as Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas.
Reform FATCA (the stupidest tax law in history) according to the recommendations of Democrats-Abroad:
https://www.democratsabroad.org/what_is_fatca_what_are_its_impacts_how_we_aim_to_reform.
The law as presently manifested has destroyed many lives, marriages, careers, and businesses of overseas Americans. Most middle-class overseas Americans view FATCA as the most inept and infuriating law in the history of the Republic (I certainly do). It actually costs the government money to enforce rather than generating income for the public purse and drives overseas Americans crazy with its bureaucratic drivel. Reforming the law would make Democrats heroes with the 2.8 million overseas Americans eligible to vote. Consider the election possibilities. In 2016 only 23% of overseas Americans who were eligible to vote actually voted (some 616,000) – nearly 300,000 in swing states). The Trump debacle led to a 50% turnout in 2020 overseas voting – again nearly half in swing states. Assuming this population is more cosmopolitan than the average voter; and thinks that America First in the 21st century global reality actually means America Last; and would be more likely to have been offended by Trump's vulgar jingoism, this voting base might even have won the election for the Democrats in swing states. Democrats Abroad received triple the number of ballot requests than in 2016 in chapters around the world and visitors to its website surpassed 1 million. Democrats Abroad deserve much more attention as we move into the future and reforming FATCA would be the key to guaranteeing voter allegiance.
Rather than reform the law the Republicans have been trying to revoke it entirely because of its burden on their natural constituency (the billionaire class). If they had succeeded they would have been heroes for middle-class overseas Americans also, with resulting electoral consequences. As it is many overseas cultural Democrats have been voting Republican because of their stance on FATCA.
The Democratic Party must address the needs of the close to 60 million freelancers making up the American working population. It is estimated that around 15 million of them are full time freelancers, while approximately half of the part time freelancers would like to be full time. These are the most under-represented citizens in the country and 70% of them have indicated they would change their voting habits in favor of a party that addresses their needs. This is a demographic that provides the Republicans with huge future potential for a comeback if the Democrats do not address their needs first. The biggest opportunity for the Republicans to make a comeback in 2024 (with a relatively normal candidate of course) is to co-opt the causes and concerns of freelancers and expatriates. As of now the Democrats are completely on their back foot regarding freelancers, as attested to by the overwhelming approval of California's Proposition 22. This was a ballot measure that allows companies whose business model depends on the gig economy's independent contractors, to continue. The fact that this result came as a surprise to Democratic 'strategists', given the consistent defeats of Republicans in California, only highlights how out of touch traditional Democratic thinking is with the postmodern workforce. Freelancers' are now 35% of the US workforce and the Freelancers Union is now the largest union in the United States in terms of the number of people it represents, completely dwarfing the AFL-CIO with its measly 13 million members. The vast majority of freelancers are cultural libertarians. Bernie Sanders' nostalgia for 'people who shower at the end of the day rather than at the beginning' is a perfect case of sacrificing the future in order to accomplish the past. Especially given the fact that today most of those who shower at the end of day are culturally Trumpist Republican and we would be lucky to wean 5% of them for the Democratic Party. The Republicans, on the other hand, could wean up to 70% of Freelancers. The online Freelance Informer warns that the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, viewed favorably on Biden's website, could be bad news for the majority of US freelance workers as presently formulated. See the following:
https://www.freelanceinformer.com/news/bidens-pro-act-putting-59m-us-freelancers-in-a-bind-with-many-having-no-choice-but-to-vote-one-way-trump/
Regarding the Trump Cult
No gentlemanly passes. No repeat of Ford pardoning Nixon. Trump is not a gentleman, neither are his followers and any making nice would not even be appreciated. The era of non-truth and alternative facts must be destroyed root and branch. This means that all the purveyors of lies and fake news should have their lives and professions damaged. The very obvious liable suits against Fox News, Lou Dobbs, Rudy, and Sidney Powell for spreading the big lie should be expanded; no slight should go unpunished. Anybody who has been explicitly or implicitly lied about should be encouraged to sue (the election workers in Pa. and Mich. for example). As for possible federal charges against Trump and family and friends we must constantly repeat the mantra that "no one is privileged before the law; due process will take its course". State charges against the Trump gang should go ahead apace. I would also recommend that the Treasury Department sue Trump Tower, Mar-a-Lago, and Orange Man's various golf courses for overcharging Trump's Secret Service units and stop paying for their current rentals. Let Trump sue the Treasury Department. Let's see how that works out for him. To the extent possible, liens should be placed against all Trump property that is in tax arrears. If I were Biden I would whisper in the ear of Scotland's PM that if they seized Trump's Golf Course for tax reasons official America would voice no objections. Destroying the Trump cult's wealth should be a major aim.
Additionally, lawyers representing Trump's phony election steal strategy should continue to be brought up for disbarment. We should be unremitting in filing complaints against these professionally unethical people but we should do so without a lot of public noise so as not to make them martyrs. The DOJ must conduct a comprehensive investigation regarding foreign interference in America's elections – using the Mueller Report as their source. For the sake of future constitutional governance the Trump cult must be destroyed root and branch.
Mushy Slogans vs. Easily Understood Policies
Democrats must stop being so slovenly in their use of mushy slogans such as "Green New Deal" and begin to promote ideas like "Retrofit American Homes"; i.e. cutting heating and electrical bills in half while increasing the value of one's home by 5%. Not sacrifice for the environment but profit by rational environmental policies. My next submission to Daily Kos will detail what I mean in greater detail.
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[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2022/11/30/2139190/-Why-are-Democrats-so-Disorganized
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