The capture of both houses of Congress by the Republican Party is proof positive that the Democratic Party is ideologically bankrupt. Over the last 10 years, it has aspired to be nothing more than the favorite political party of the rich and powerful. Unfortunately, there is already a political party in place that serves the rich wonderfully, thank you. It’s name is the Republican Party.
Voters on Nov. 5 sent a message to the Democratic Party that it has to care about ordinary people again. The traditional base of the Democratic Party wanted to hear what its leaders had to say about the bad economy, corporate crime, inadequate health-care coverage, a jittery stock market and a whole kitchen sink of other concerns it could have addressed.
What the party faithful got instead was talk of a better prescription drugs program.
The Democratic Party, once known as the party of the people, needs to return to its Jacksonian roots if it ever expects to succeed nationally again. It needs to be a party of courage and conviction, as exemplified by genuine heroes like Paul Wellstone and Russ Feingold.
At age 54 and a lifelong Democrat myself, I hope I don’t have to be at death’s door before my party returns to being a voice for the not-so-rich majority of Americans.
