You know that sinking feeling. Oh, oh, is it something serious or is the gas cap just loose? I have the feeling that this is more than just a lose gas cap. I think we may be due for a major overhaul.
The first step in any trouble shooting is to always try to identify the problem - so here's the problem:
Democratic Allegiance Hits a Low
The number of Americans identifying themselves as Democrats has dropped to a record low in nearly 34 years of ABC News/Washington Post polls, marking the party’s challenges after its poor showing in the 2014 midterm elections. The Republican Party, by contrast, has gained sharply in popularity, if not allegiance.
Just 26 percent of Americans now identify themselves as Democrats, down from 32 percent six weeks ago to the fewest since ABC/Post polling began in 1981.
There are full charts and graphs at the link for those who would like to wallow. There is some slightly good news - even fewer people self-identify as Republicans, just 23%. A whopping 41% call themselves Independents. I would say that this is a clear indication that the pox on both parties has been inculcated among the population as a whole. No wonder voter turn out is low and indicative of apathy and/or cynicism or a combination of both.
The article overall is remarkably informative and even-handed. The number who are described as "leaning" Dem or Rep is almost equal but with the Reps having a slight edge, for the first time since 2002. Lots and lots of other interesting stats, particularly regarding the economy.
But at any rate, anyone who would deny the Democrats are in the weeds, public perception wise is dealing in self delusion. Particularly delusional are the people who think that demographics alone are going to resuscitate the Democratic Party - it ain't happening and even if it is happening, it isn't happening fast enough. Not to mention that that some groups that the Dems think they have in the bag are actually NOT in the bag and margins of victory are decreasing, not increasing.
Now, time to read this really excellent article by Richard Eskow in which he thoroughly covers the quandaries the Democrats must confront in choosing the path ahead:
Demographics Won't Save The Democrats - Unless They Change
In my opinion, the Democratic Party is coming right up to their CTJ moment where they will have to decide exactly who they represent - the Haves or the ever increasing numbers of Have Less and Shrinking Daily. There's no way to finesse it. The Have Lesses have heard more than enough fake sympathy and compassion with no action behind it. There's been enough empty blather about "restoring opportunity" and the like - Shut up and DO IT!
Do what? Well, Eskow makes some excellent suggestions about some places to start. And he's certainly not alone. I've read similar suggestions from Robert Reich and any number of other commentators and writers. But all the suggestions would require a politician who could actually bring themselves to talk fearlessly about RAISING taxes on the wealthy and broadening, not shrinking entitlements, among other things.
There is only one way for Democrats to form a winning coalition of seniors, working-class whites, and its traditional constituencies, and that's by promising to address the economic problems that all of these groups share. While there's no room for a comprehensive list, those problems include:
*Financial insecurity after retirement or disability, which means support for Social Security expansion;
*Un- or under-employment, which can be addressed with a meaningful jobs program that includes massive infrastructure investment;
*Costly or inaccessible higher education, which requires reform of college financing;
*Inadequate wages, which means support for the union movement, minimum wage increases, and a broad array of worker protections;
*An overall weakening of the social safety net, which can be addressed through higher taxes on the wealthy and an end to Democratic support for privatization of government services;
*The economic predation of the financial class, which means stricter regulation of Wall Street;
*A reduction in intergenerational wealth inequality, calling for (among other things) stronger inheritance taxes and programs designed to increase social mobility.
Now, what Democratic politician(s) do you think have the desire and ability to take on an agenda like that? Can we expect our do-nothing Progressive Caucus, or Nancy Pelosi to whip for some of those goals? Does the Democratic Party even have it within them? Do they even care what their electorate wants and expects? When are they going to start to show it?
How many of them are going to stick it to the rest of us in the next two bi-partisany years? How many more voters will they alienate?
Can we get this smoking hulk back on the road or what?