Sadly, we have not seen the Democratic Party really fight for its constituents in many moons. Working class people – especially Black and Brown communities – know a wimp when we see one. The Dems are not your ride-or-die kind of folks. Truth is, they’ve mainly left us hanging. That’s why millions of voters didn’t show up last November because they felt no one was showing up for them.

So it was refreshing when t-rump brazenly told Texas Governor Greg Abbott to give him five congressional seats, and California Governor Gavin Newsom shot back, “we’re gonna punch these sons of bitches in the mouth.” Newsom meant that figuratively, but he was more literal when he promised the racist GOP that he would be fighting fire with fire. His bold actions brought in an unsolicited $6 million in one week.

The wannabe dictator announced he was sending his goons to Chicago to bring some order. In a unified voice, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker said hell no. How this standoff ends remains to be seen. We hope it’s not a repeat of the Texas Democrats leaving the state to prevent a vote on the GOP’s illegal gerrymandering. After selling all the wolf tickets, they returned to the state to vote after a whirlwind of presser opportunities.

Political insiders have reported that the Democratic Party is spending millions on how to fix its tarnished image and how to develop an effective message. I have been giving them free advice on both for the last twenty years, and it has fallen on deaf ears. In addition to growing a backbone and honing a relevant message, the party must groom viable candidates to run and win. It must make room in the party for younger and more radical elected officials. It must be the party that truly fights for democracy or think seriously about changing its name.

Here are two issues whereby I believe that the Dems can gain some respect and maybe even win back some voters. People don’t like their votes being stolen right in front of their very eyes – which is what the MAGA gerrymandering will do. People don’t like occupying bullies on their streets.

With both of these attacks, the party leadership has not developed a national strategy to combat the damage that will be done. Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic Party, has been mum. The Democratic Leadership in Congress is mealy-mouthed about the situation. They haven’t offered any verbal support to their California and Illinois colleagues. These folks are threatened by the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the squad. The Democratic elites have treated Zohran Mamdani like he was the plague.

The redistricting war is a contentious issue that some political observers argue will undermine both the democratic process and the future of the Democratic Party. The reality is that the Democrats have been passive about defending their ground, their values, and their base. They lack a winning strategy for holding and expanding their power. We know some are scared of the dictator in the White House. We know that some have their hands in the pockets of corporations and political action committees that conflict with the people’s agenda. (See how many of them get AIPAC blood money.) We should support the ones with some backbone and vision because they must become the agitators inside the party to clean house.

The GOP is following no rules, no ethics, and no morals. The president has blatantly disregarded protocols, traditions, and best practices. The constitution is being shredded, the public coffers are being raided, and the rule of law is being trampled. There can be no fair fight under these circumstances. Democrats must fight to win by any means necessary.

The Dems have about a year to prove they are worthy of our consideration. They must be bodacious and relentless in the battle to protect this democracy. While MAGA is “cracking” and “packing,” the Dems need to be smacking and whacking. Figuratively, of course.

Sadly, we have not seen the Democratic Party really fight for its constituents in many moons. Working class people – especially Black and Brown communities – know a wimp when we see one. The Dems are not your ride-or-die kind of folks. Truth is, they’ve mainly left us hanging. That’s why millions of voters didn’t show up last November because they felt no one was showing up for them.

So it was refreshing when t-rump brazenly told Texas Governor Greg Abbott to give him five congressional seats, and California Governor Gavin Newsom shot back, “we’re gonna punch these sons of bitches in the mouth.” Newsom meant that figuratively, but he was more literal when he promised the racist GOP that he would be fighting fire with fire. His bold actions brought in an unsolicited $6 million in one week.

The wannabe dictator announced he was sending his goons to Chicago to bring some order. In a unified voice, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker said hell no. How this standoff ends remains to be seen. We hope it’s not a repeat of the Texas Democrats leaving the state to prevent a vote on the GOP’s illegal gerrymandering. After selling all the wolf tickets, they returned to the state to vote after a whirlwind of presser opportunities.

Political insiders have reported that the Democratic Party is spending millions on how to fix its tarnished image and how to develop an effective message. I have been giving them free advice on both for the last twenty years, and it has fallen on deaf ears. In addition to growing a backbone and honing a relevant message, the party must groom viable candidates to run and win. It must make room in the party for younger and more radical elected officials. It must be the party that truly fights for democracy or think seriously about changing its name.

Here are two issues whereby I believe that the Dems can gain some respect and maybe even win back some voters. People don’t like their votes being stolen right in front of their very eyes – which is what the MAGA gerrymandering will do. People don’t like occupying bullies on their streets.

With both of these attacks, the party leadership has not developed a national strategy to combat the damage that will be done. Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic Party, has been mum. The Democratic Leadership in Congress is mealy-mouthed about the situation. They haven’t offered any verbal support to their California and Illinois colleagues. These folks are threatened by the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the squad. The Democratic elites have treated Zohran Mamdani like he was the plague.

The redistricting war is a contentious issue that some political observers argue will undermine both the democratic process and the future of the Democratic Party. The reality is that the Democrats have been passive about defending their ground, their values, and their base. They lack a winning strategy for holding and expanding their power. We know some are scared of the dictator in the White House. We know that some have their hands in the pockets of corporations and political action committees that conflict with the people’s agenda. (See how many of them get AIPAC blood money.) We should support the ones with some backbone and vision because they must become the agitators inside the party to clean house.

The GOP is following no rules, no ethics, and no morals. The president has blatantly disregarded protocols, traditions, and best practices. The constitution is being shredded, the public coffers are being raided, and the rule of law is being trampled. There can be no fair fight under these circumstances. Democrats must fight to win by any means necessary.

The Dems have about a year to prove they are worthy of our consideration. They must be bodacious and relentless in the battle to protect this democracy. While MAGA is “cracking” and “packing,” the Dems need to be smacking and whacking. Figuratively, of course.