In 2016 Donald Trump took the Republican Party to the realm of a populist and nativist base oriented toward the preservation and indeed resurrection of racist keys as a new foundation of political power. The conventional opinion at the time was that it was a temporary aberration on a political path in our evolving trajectory that characterizes an effort for more and wider participation in our democratic experiment.
When as President, Trump moved to solidify the prominence of the richest 1 percent through tax-cut laws during his term that made them even more powerful, it set into motion a coalition of American oligarchs and at least one third of America that feels racially aggrieved. The combination of MAGA and a much more active and invested oligarch community resulted in the political comeback enjoyed by President-elect Trump in 2024.
In a sense, the Republican Party returned to its roots as an anti-immigrant “know nothing” organization that preceded the presence of Abraham Lincoln and the change in political fortunes that set it as a measure of the highest example of racial justice and principled bravery in the face of the violent forces of slavery. The coalition of oligarchs and common folks afraid of losing their identity is reminiscent of post-colonial republics characterized by strongmen and their tendencies toward political dictatorships.
The Democratic Party is equally in trouble as its Conservative and Centrist voices that are part of its broad coalition are being drowned out by a Progressive left that uses a civil rights agenda to justify government intrusion in the everyday lives of people and at the same time, describes itself as guardians of the middle class. This perspective is somewhat confusing and requires thoughtful review.
It is in fact an oxymoron to put together the notions of a middle class and deep government involvement in social issues based on economic concerns because becoming part of the middle class amounts to the achievement of the American Dream. In other words, the more economically fit a family becomes the less need there is for government involvement to achieve its goals.
The foundation of the Democratic Party’s agenda expressed in its political campaigns is to build programs for the middle class as if the middle class, more than others, needs the boost to become self-sufficient. I suspect that the Democratic Party is committed to the middle class because it makes political sense as a base for successful elections.
MORENA, the ruling party in Mexico, provides another example of government intrusion that is a logical outcome in a country where 54 percent of the population is considered poor. The flurry of government activities in behalf the poor is what keeps the ruling party in power.
In the United States, only 11 percent of the population forms part of a category designated as poor. Government intrusion in behalf of the group is noble and the right thing to do.
However, doing well by the poor will not get a politician elected. At the same time, an agenda that does many of the same things for the middle class may be misplaced.
It seems to me that both the Republican and Democratic Parties have a lot of work to do in restructuring their agendas especially given the appearance of the new millennial majority that is fast coming to leadership. The message that we give to the world about our vibrant democracy is beginning to ring hollow.
Political philosophies have to make sense to voting constituencies. Getting back to responsible governing agendas is a must. `
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
