Protect and Empower the Powerless

As Democrats, we have to protect the interests of our core constituencies, groups that remain relatively distant from the centers of federal power: Blacks, Latinos, women, gays, workers (both unionized and not) and students. Due primarily to the progress made under Democratic leadership, these groups are not totally powerless in today’s America, but they are systematically undermined by the current political power structure.

We have to critically review our economic and infrastructure proposals with these constituencies through systematic grass-roots outreach, in order to build up and continuously refine a “Preservation of Base” set of programs (alternative Federal programs, along with local and state initiatives), combined with the rationale for each, that can be utilized as a potent alternative to any administration proposal. We should not be deterred by those who charge us with creating “class struggle”: the struggle is real for those without power, and the gaps between rich and poor are growing steadily. Undermining the middle class is the final phase of the Bushite project; it has already begun.

Laudably, bigotry has not been their message, but in this case, for once, the economic and social impact of their policies matches their intention: one big Affirmative Action program for the wealthy elite.

Protecting the powerless extends beyond our borders, as well. We must be outspoken when the Bushites fail to live up to their idealistic rhetoric, as they will.