An American Message in Democracy

This post should remove all doubt. The three of us do not think alike.  It showcases an intense argument about how the American political system should respond to the Trump presidency.  One of us, Woodson, hopes for a bipartisan approach that brings back agreement between men and women of good will in both major political parties on broad national goals and objectives.  Despite disagreements over strategies and approaches, they worked together on things like civil rights, building the Interstate Highway System, and post-World War II foreign policy.  Two of us, Rob most vehemently and Henry with a more restrained and gentlemanly tip of his cap to his notion of “reality,” argue that only revival of the Democratic Party can return the nation to sanity.  This piece begins our exploration of that divide.            

Since well before the 2016 election, we’ve made clear our misgivings about Donald Trump.  Our concerns have grown into an urgent cry for his removal from office.  We aren’t alone, but we understand ridding America of Trump requires more than doubling down on his pathology.  Despite possibilities Trump will (a) resign, (b) get impeached, or (c) lose to a Republican primary challenger, the best way to get rid of him most likely resides in a Democratic win in 2020.

We’re not sure who the parties will nominate for President in three years and we aren’t preoccupied with that now.  We are, however, very much interested in changing the political discourse and setting America on a different path. Whoever participates in that endeavor must develop an effective political message.  We don’t see enough effort being made toward that now. 

Given the difficulty, we understand one blog piece won’t state an effective American message for the coming election cycles.  That’s a process requiring many minds and much discussion.  We do, however, think we know the central issues such a message must address.  The work of the next 8-10 months resides in packaging and refining these concerns into a coherent message that speaks to voters who want an America that creates opportunities for all its citizens.  Trump’s rock bottom approval ratings indicate the presence of a receptive audience, but meaningless platitudes aren’t enough.

So, what must the message speak to? Six distinct, but sometimes interrelated concerns, we think:

(1) Restoring the Dignity of the Office of President of the United States 
George W. Bush won in 2000 on this theme.  His issue was Bill Clinton’s sexual escapades and it wasn’t fair to tar the strait-laced Al Gore with that brush, but it worked.  Trump’s indignities are much more serious, but the point is the same.  We need a president who conducts himself or herself with dignity, civility, and competence.

(2) Healing the Fractures Caused by Trump’s Attempts to Legitimize Some and Delegitimize Others  
The next President needs to revisit and reaffirm the idea of the American “melting pot” with an emphasis on the legitimacy of all cultures, religions, languages, and nationalities.  We remain a nation of immigrants and we should celebrate, not curse, our differences.

(3) Addressing Income Inequality and Economic Dislocation Caused by Globalization
No President can change economic trends that favor the better educated, but America can train people for new, plentiful jobs.  Instead of trying to bring back an economy that’s not coming back, we can implement policies and create incentives that give people a chance in the existing economy and the emerging economy.  Tax policy should neither dramatically cut taxes for the wealthy (as Trump apparently wants to) nor soak the rich. 

(4) Implementing a Consistent Foreign Policy Based on Democratic Ideals and Common Sense, not Bluster  
Our foreign policy must emphasize cooperation with and support for our allies, not narrow-minded nationalism.  America didn’t become the leader of the free world by doing that and we can’t keep that position this way.  We need a fully staffed State Department that advances our diplomatic interests, while our robust military backs it up, not the reverse.   

(5) Offering a Vibrant, Responsible Domestic Agenda  
The debate over proposed repeal of the Affordable Care Act demonstrated Americans want government supported health care. The nation’s leadership should build on that momentum with concrete plans to improve the ACA by covering more people and lowering costs.  Similarly, resistance to Trump’s immigration and environmental policies shows a constituency exists for progressive ideas in those areas.

(6) Fighting for an Inclusive Social Justice Agenda 
Trump’s race baiting and blatant appeals to white nationalism create an opportunity to involve decent minded white moderates and conservatives not normally attracted to social justice campaigns. This means dialog with liberal and conservative voices on achieving criminal justice reform and ending mass incarceration for trivial drug offenses.  Needless to say, America should retain its commitment to women’s reproductive rights and its concern for children, while expanding educational opportunity at all levels of the system.   

All of us believe this represents a starting place for a sober discussion.  We disagree, however, that one side will ever engage in trying to achieve these objectives.  Woodson argues that we have presented American goals both parties should buy into and promote.  Rob, especially, and Henry see that as fantasy. They argue the present day Republican Party has become institutionally incapable of adopting the agenda we’ve laid out.  Enacting and implementing such an agenda, or anything like it, requires electing Democrats at all levels of government.  That may represent a sad state of affairs, but everyone has to be somewhere, and that’s where Rob and Henry think we are.

We’re going to dig into this in the coming weeks and months. Please join us. We’d love to know what you think.