Beyond Protest: What Are We in Favor Of?

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

In 1960, 50% of eligible American voters were registered as Democrats; today, 29% are................
Why.....because, to paraphrase George Costanza, Democrats were trying to put on a show about nothing.  Why? Because they’d abandoned the New Deal and adopted the raw deal.  And you can’t run on a platform that says, "We still love you and all, but we kinda support the Oligarchy too."

Democrats have steadily lost power on the state level. Every non-Presidential election shows a low turnout of voters among those who should be natural Democratic voters.

The irony is, poll after poll shows that a large majority of Americans hold progressive views on an issue-by-issue basis. But there is no one representing progressivism in our political spectrum, except “outsiders.”  The fact that the Democratic Party perceives people like Warren or Sanders – who essentially espouse New Deal policies that dominated the party until the late 70’s—as outside the political mainstream tells us how far right Democrats have drifted.
And it also tells us why they’re losing.

Some of this is framing. The GOP is terrible at governing, but they are great at framing issues. Witness the large number of voters who think that the ACA and Obamacare are different programs.

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/02/22/beyond-protest-what-are-we-favor

[HughBeaumont]

1. I've asked this plenty of times. No youth movement, no non-pandering economic message.

And here’s the thing—it’s hard to preach New Deal values championing a society based on equity, justice, and a celebration of government’s role in constraining capitalism when your real values are all about giving the private sector the primary role in managing and structuring the economy and favoring privatization, deregulation, small government for its own sake, and free trade.

Right now, there’s a war on for the soul of the Democratic Party, with progressives battling against the status quo neoliberals who control it now.

Just disheartening. It's like I say in this thread - WHAT DO I TELL THEM? I know how hyper-capitalists are - what do we tell potential voters that isn't pandering/lying? We're screwn beyond belief trying to beat Republicans on God/Guns/Flag/Religion. Voters are bored of charts/data and are conditioned from childhood to see Republicans/Authoritarians as heroic and strong and Democrats as weak and "enemies of prosperity", whatever the hell that means.

[guillaumeb]

3. To your last point: The GOP is great at framing.

And framing wins debates. Strong vs weak is simple and easy to slogan around.

In my view, if we are serious about maintaining a democracy, we must acknowledge that predatory capitalism is not conducive to democracy. And predatory capitalists like Trump, like the Koch brothers, like the Walton family, are sociopaths who care nothing for others.

[Demsrule86]

2. How about we stop attacking the Democratic party and telling people something is wrong with it...

that might help...and turn our attention to finding fault with the Republican Party.

[guillaumeb]

4. Given that the Democrats have been steadily losing power at the state and local level,

something is wrong.

Certainly the GOP has been co-opted by sociopathic predators, but if Democrats cannot figure out that the they are losing electorally there is no hope for them.

If you wish to frame this post as "attacking Democrats" I would suggest that you explain how steadily losing power represents a winning strategy.

[Demsrule86]

6. Attacking them sure doesn't help...

So why not turn your attention to the GOP...instead of basically telling people that Democrats are not worthy.

[guillaumeb]

8. I believe you misread the post.

And my last response.

Rather than frame it and dismiss it as "attacking Democrats", why not look at it as long overdue constructive criticism?

If you failed all of your exams, would you insist that your failing grades were evidence of the teacher attacking you? Think of each Congressional Race as an exam.

[Nevernose]

5. Because that's how movements fail & elections lost

We can't just be against Trump. That's a great way to activate our base, but can't sustain a movement. We have to do a better job to voters -- friends, neighbors, internet trolls, whoever -- not just what we're against, but what we're FOR.

(Though I totally agree that just bashing the Democratic Party -- without suggestions or alternatives -- is, at best, useless)

[Demsrule86]

7. You know what when I go out...I tell people the Democrats are the only party that can save

your Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Healthcare, Schools and environment etc...I don't find fault with the only party that can stop Donald Trump...so I think what you do the earnest desire to rip the Democratic arty to shreds is one of the reasons we have had trouble winning...this sort of thing helps the GOP and hurts Democrats.

[Demsrule86]

9. Also, Democrats are out of job...

They can yell and jump up and down but have no power...so maybe we should worry about getting elected first...you can't help anyone if you lose.

[guillaumeb]

11. In my view, the GOP is winning the image game.

Yes, we can attack them for being all image and no substance, all slogan and no plan, but the real issue is that we must reach those who do not pay attention to politics. We must convince them that politics is much more than a once every 4 years vote for President event.

And the point of the post is not to attack Democrats, but to ask how Democrats can frame a winning message. A message that can inspire the 41% who did not vote to vote.

In my view, this 41% is the key, not appealing to racist old males.

[guillaumeb]

10. Agreed. But before anyone can rebuild and change,

one must accept that change is needed.

The problem is finding that alternative method.