A Call to You Democrats: Stop Agonizing About Liberalism

All this angst about the capability of liberalism in the face of growing fascism: it’s time to set aside liberalism and replace it with pragmatism. Stop bickering about progressive vs. moderate; you only give independents and Republicans material with which to mock and diminish you. Take a leaf from Bill Clinton’s book and focus not on ideologies but on effectiveness at improving the lives of people, even in his case, of “triangulation” i.e., of borrowing Republican positions.

Is fascism growing? Of course. Undeniably, yes. The latest manifestation is the intent of Larry and David Ellison to become the new Rupert Murdoch dynasty by welding together CNN, CBS, TikTok, Paramount, and Warner Brothers Discovery into what will be in effect a single voice espousing the views of the Haves. Look at AG Bondi’s threat to criminalize opposition voices and Commissioner Carr’s threat to pull the licenses of broadcasters – all at the name of protecting free speech, which really means speech of which we approve. Look at State investment in private capitalism, parallel to the German and Italian National Socialism of the ‘30’s and Chinese SOEs of the aughts. Look at Trump’s intrusions into corporate mergers and acquisitions. But, as real as these dangers are, set them aside. Tour only avenue to correction is control of Congress,  First things first: focus on winning majorities in Congress and the privilege of nominating judges. Leave ideological philosophies for later.

It is time for Democrats and Independents to give voice to the Have-Nots and Would-Haves by adopting what let’s call an R to the 5th strategy

1. React: do not let pass unchallenged lies and slanders from the right. Don’t shrug and say “Oh, that’s just Trump being Trump.” Meet every one with strong rebuttal using spokespersons of credibility and energy.
2. Resist: show popular resistance and rejection by peacefully demonstrating on the streets and by suing (note how Trump, Besent, Holman, Miller, and Vought keep losing in Court?)
3. Retard: use work stoppages, boycotts, parliamentary rules, civil impedance of ICE arrests and deportations, to slow down activities and interests of those entities that support the administration, increasing their costs and thereby weakening their support.
4. Recognize: acknowledge and show empathy for the concerns of the Right; show MAGAs they are being heard.
5. Remove Barriers: propose programs, not “policies”, that remove barriers to children’s and grandchildren’s education; to accessible, affordable and responsive health care (especially in small towns); to affordable day care; to affordable housing; to support of rural libraries and public TV stations. (Look at all the semi-colons: sure signs of one of them elitists.)

Don’t indulge in theoretical arguments about saving Democracy or the dangers of autocracy. Yes, these things are of undeniable importance and of concern to the educated, thoughtful, and secure among us. But, Democrats: lay aside your concerns and focus first and always on how to improve others' lives. Deny opposition's debating “isms” rather than programs and solutions by avoiding trigger-words like liberal, progressive, socialism, fascism, communism, and whatnot. Find Republican co-sponsors for proposals. Force debate on programs, not ideologies.

Further, every program you propose also should be tied to reducing inequalities of income and wealth, and of education. No one admires inequality except the Have-Lots. Social dysfunction is directly, highly correlated with inequality (See The Spirit Level by Wilkinson and Pigott. Amazing charts of direct relationships with such as teen pregnancies, incarcerations, obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, and so on. Even graffiti!) We cannot guarantee our own liberty and pursue our own happiness unless all of us have the opportunity to do so. The arc of the Commonwealth should be moving toward equity and functionality,

So, Democrats, push it along. Forego theory; talk pragmatically.