by Amy B. Dean
Amy B. Dean
It appears that Republicans have once again outmaneuvered Democrats on the tax issue this week — a sad continuation of events we are likely to see more of as Republicans prepare to enter the next Congress with a majority in the House and momentum from midterm victories. Progressives have been left to wallow in despondency or to quibble over where to place blame for the electoral setbacks. At best, discussion among Democrats has revolved around how to better emulate the Republican machine that operated so effectively in 2010.
If progressives are going to rebound in 2012, we need to move beyond this and begin laying the groundwork for resurgence at the base. That means presenting an agenda, one that is compelling to working and middle class Americans. Progressives positioning themselves as being against Republican proposals will not be enough. We must be able to present a convincing program detailing what we are for.
Leading with such an agenda means three things:
1) Addressing Underlying Fear and Scapegoating
In the wake of a severe economic downturn, an ongoing crisis of unemployment, and a continuing rash of home foreclosures, people in this country are rightly afraid for the economic well-being of their families. We know from history that, when people feel economically insecure, they are more vulnerable to arguments of scapegoating. In this case, immigrants, unionized teachers, and public servants such as police and firefighters are the new scapegoats for all of our economic woes. Republicans capitalize on mean-spirited explanations for economic problems as a way to divert the discussion from job creation, fair trade, and the role of unions in our economy.
This last election cycle was less about Republicans versus Democrats than about voters wanting leaders who could address the economic insecurity they are feeling. Americans wanted elected officials who could both concretely improve their families’ prospects and speak to deep-rooted unease. The Obama administration and the Democrats failed in responding to these underlying issues, and they did not create policies that produced concrete enough benefits in voters’ lives to reassure them.
If things are going to be different in 2012, progressives must change this. We have to understand the fear that people are feeling, and we have to present a program that responds to it directly, providing an alternative to scapegoating.
2) Making Jobs an Unrelenting Priority
Nothing addresses this more effectively than a singular focus on creating jobs and improving the economic stability of American households. Progressives should expect the Democratic Party from President Obama on down to local officials to take action on jobs. And, if they don’t, the labor movement and other progressive constituencies should put forward their own plan for getting people back to work.
Three things should immediately be put on the table. One is a federal program for job creation that would include a national infrastructure bank. This bank would at once make public sector investments in construction jobs and also give incentive for private partners to collaborate in rebuilding our nation’s roads, bridges, and airports. Second, a progressive agenda should include the extension of unemployment insurance for those who have not been able to find work amid a jobless recovery. Third, we need reforms that make it easier for people to join unions and bargain collectively for fair wages and working conditions.
The Republicans win when we allow them to frame the debate around tax cuts and deficits. The Democrats should take away the issue of tax cuts from Republicans by temporarily extending existing tax breaks and quickly shifting the focus to jobs. Creating fair tax policy is important, but we don’t want to distract ourselves from our own agenda and play into the hands of the right.
3) Not Allowing Tactics to Substitute for Strategy
Right now, much of the discussion among Democratic strategists is about how to “build a better mousetrap” — in other words, how to do better Get-Out-The-Vote drives or more efficiently coordinate donors’ money. While there are some valid tactical concerns to be addressed at that level, we cannot allow tactics to be a substitute for strategy. True strategy requires a plan for building a politics based on a common sense of purpose, on unifying goals like restoring the American middle class.
Once again, if we don’t see this kind of leadership exercised by the Democratic Party, then labor and progressives should provide it themselves. We should put forward our own jobs program and have sympathetic lawmakers introduce it into Congress. We should force the Republicans to vote yes or no on job creation. If the program fails to pass, it will nevertheless give us a strong narrative to take back to the precincts during the next election cycle. And it will give the Democratic base a cause to rally around without having to wait to take their lead from the Obama administration.
The next two years cannot merely be about fighting the Republican agenda. In 2012, progressive candidates must be able to run on a program of their own — one that solves the problems that are creating genuine fear and insecurity in our country. Democrats can develop an ever more efficient electoral machinery, but it will do little good unless it is deployed in the service of a compelling agenda for a better, more economically secure America.
— Amy Dean is co-author, with David Reynolds, of A New New Deal: How Regional Activism Will Reshape the American Labor Movement. She worked for nearly two decades in the labor movement and now works to develop new and innovative organizing strategies for social change organizations in progressive, labor, and faith communities. She can be reached via the Web site: http://www.amybdean.com/
Filed under: Politics | Tagged: Amy B. Dean, infrastructure bank, jobs program |
Talking Union 
Yes! Labor must lead the charge! As a union member (now-retired) for a span of time covering six decades, I long for organized labor to return to the principle of advocating for the entire working class. Organized labor must use its organizational skills to assist all who labor, whether organized or not. We must show all fellow workers we love ‘em, rather than just saying we do. We must also use our organizational abilities in ways that will benefit our communities.
First, however, we need to do some soul-searching. Here’s one example where labor spoke out of both sides of its face. Union leaders who supported passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act typify go-along-to-get-along “activism”. Even though most State Federations and literally hundreds of unions called for enactment of a national single-payer health care program, and although the AFL-CIO passed a Resolution calling for the same thing, the powers that be chose retreat as a strategy. They fell back to supporting a phantom “public option”. “Public option or nothing” they cried. Lawmakers paid little heed. After all, “labor” had signaled its willingness to compromise even before the battle was joined! Not only was the [watered-down] public option scuttled, lawmakers went us one better by imposing a surtax on negotiated medical plans!
After the thumping we and every other working stiff took with the passage of the PPACA, the same powers that be had the gall to claim labor had achieved a triumph! That’s Newspeak nonsense! It’s also a sad example of the DNA of America – Do Not Admit. Never admit you were had, but instead skewer the facts with claims of victory.
So yes, let organized labor lead the charge. Let’s make sure, however, that the basic working class principle of “an injury to one is an injury to all” guides each step of the process. Frankly, words like “pragmatism” or phrases like “politics is the art of compromise” must be banned from the struggle. They are too-often used as code words by those who would urge us to accept half of what is needed.
Lastly, let us always remember that our first allegiance is to one another, not to a particular politician or party. Labor is an autonomous voice for the working class. We should support those who support us, and punish those who do not via our ability to inflict ballot box revenge. And we must be willing to selectively and strategically withhold our labor if that is what it will take to achieve economic and social justice for all. “To help any worker in distress” is our collective responsibility. Take a look at FDR’s “ Second Bill of Rights”. It’s the roadmap.
The Left has an agenda but no plan to carry it out. Nothing will happened with no organization and the Left in this country seems to have lost any ability to organize.
Doesn’t matter if it is the Democrats, DSA, The Greens, etc. I guess they just don’t know how.
The Right doesn’t rely on people for their strength – just money – so they don’t have a need to organize – just pay for what they want. We don’t have the money!
Educate – Agitate – Organize!