Here’s an article by Michael Tomasky that makes an argument that I whole-heartedly embrace. It’s about how, of the two major American political parties, the Republicans’ messaging in the last 30 or 40 years has steam-rolled the Democrats, who seem to be utterly incapable of refuting it or offering something better.
The main reason the Republicans have been so successful: they have a theory and a story and they’re sticking to it. It’s supply-side economics: Cutting taxes, especially for the rich, and decreasing regulation, they say, will unleash so much innovation and economic activity that tax revenues will actually increase and the entire economy will benefit.
But now the Republicans have a problem with their theory and story: they haven’t worked. During the same 30 or 40 years they’ve been flogging that mantra, the middle class has all but disappeared, while the wealth of the upper 5% has exploded. Now, it seems, the people are finally catching on to the Republican shell game.
Tomasky’s argument is that the Democrats are long overdue for a theory and a story of their own, one that will clearly convey to the voters what they stand for, and how they want to respond to the Republican deception . And he has some answers to that. I urge you to read the article.
Democrats need to hear and heed Tomasky’s message. Then do it.
