Democrats: Be BOLD! Be FOR Something!
Including a bunch of ideas to consider
At the General Assembly this week, my legislative colleagues did an impressive job of pushing back on Trump subservient gerrymandering. We didn’t have the necessary power to stop our GOP colleagues, but we sure as hell didn’t have to let them enact their harm without a fight. Perhaps you saw some of the fire, whether on the news or in your algorithm. My colleagues all understood that people want to see us DO SOMETHING!
As I wrote back in April, Democrats must Push Back and Push Forward. People know Democrats can’t stop the worst of Trump Authoritarianism right now, but they also don’t want to see us lying down or throwing our hands in the air. There is a huge demand right now for fighting. For resistance. For energy.
Undoubtedly, the success of last weekend’s No Kings organizing put wind in Democrats wings – I know it did for me. As I have stated previously, I believe that the strength of resistance to Trump Authoritarianism has to come from mass grassroots existence. It’s your organizing, your power, your voices that should drive this political moment. After all, power does not come from any position, it comes from the people who instill leaders into that position. If Democrats want to return to winning, we have to be the willing receptacle of popular demands.
What is that? An America where your job pays enough for you to take a family vacation every year. An America where your energy bills are close to zero because of your solar power and your electric car. An America where your kids’ public school is a joyful, successful point of pride for all of the diverse families it brings together. An America where you know you can get the health care you need, and you know you can afford it too. An America where the justice system keeps you safe and respects you fully, no matter who you are. An America that is on the front lines of research and new discoveries. An America where differences of opinion are many, but moments of connecting across all of our other differences are plentiful. Where we are proud of our country, acknowledge its history good and bad, and come together in joyful collective celebration.
Is that a vision Democrats can sell? Is it a vision the public would buy? I feel more confident saying yes to the second question than to the first. But we surely must begin to share with people what we believe is possible once we reject this current mess and put Trump’s fascist clown car back into the shadowy corners as our Democracy strengthens into its next phase.
In order to make that vision real to people, it needs powerful ideas that illustrate both what’s possible and how we get there. This political moment is ripe for driving new narratives. You can see it in the way that breakout politicians like Zoran Mamdani or Alexandria Ocasio Cortez use a few simple but powerful ideas to illustrate their larger themes (freeze the rent = affordability; tax the rich = we deserve better).
Too many Democrats are afraid of big, bold ideas. While governing and policy often requires incremental change, persuasive communication requires concepts that inspire even if they seem nearly impossible. We have to present bold ideas, take action, and then not run away from them when they get criticized!
For instance, health care is once again the issue of the moment for Democrats. Congressional Dems are successfully pushing back on many elements of Trump’s Authoritarianism by making their government shutdown narrative about affordable health care. They’re not going all the way to the “progressive” call for a single-payer, government run health care system. They’re just saying that your premiums shouldn’t double! But that’s a push back, not a push forward?
What are other health care ideas that Democrats could champion to show a vision strong enough to persuade America we deserve a governing majority? Could we guarantee that no American could accrue more than $5000 in medical debts? Could we make sure that no young family ever pays a dime for pregnancy and childbirth? Could we set up a special program to pay for the costs of terminal illness? Could we just lump all of those ideas into a simple promise: You’ll never go broke bringing a child into this world, nor for losing a loved one, nor for any illness that takes you out of work.
I believe the truism that Republicans win on fear and Democrats win on hope. Both parties use both emotions, certainly not in equal proportion. So, what else can we give Americans as a promise of hope? Consider many powerful ideas that just need a chorus of believers large enough to deliver a few successive elections.
I’ve got a ton of ideas, and Democrats really only need to get behind a few to start changing the dialogue. I put these images on my social media. Would any of these ideas ignite the public? Which would you champion?
We know what we’re against. What are we for? If Democrats can define that, we can turn back Trump’s cruel narrative and bring the next political revolution.
Finally, Democratic politicians can’t do it without you. In a discussion about Democratic messaging this week, I explained my theory of change for writing these emails… Top Democratic leaders don’t say things just because I say they should. But if 20,000+ of you reading this message all demand that they speak out… they are going to start listening.
So, here’s what you can do right now. Take any of the images above. Or use the versions I’ve posted on my social media. Share them on your social media and list the top three examples you think Democrats should focus on.
What You Can Do
I hope you’ve already called Sens. Tillis and Budd to get them to negotiate with Democrats on healthcare to end the government shutdown. Keep the pressure on. You can use 5calls.org to let both of them know what you think.
I’m so inspired by the work that Indivisible is doing to organize America, from our local volunteers to the national leaders. If you didn’t see it yet, I strongly encourage watching their helpful post-No Kings Day broadcast about what comes next. Consider joining your local chapter and helping take on their important organizing.
This Wednesday, Superintendent Mo Green and the NC Board of Education have a special event to discuss their strategic plan for education at Chapel Hill High. I’d love to see you there.
Our amazing friend Jennifer Thompson’s non-profit Healing Justice is celebrating their 10th Anniversary on November 13 with a fun art-themed fundraiser in Durham. If you care about healing wounds of the criminal justice system, check them out.
Kym and I are preparing for our fundraiser for Justice Anita Earls. The campaign just released a limited set of Young Professional/Student tickets for just $25. Who can you buy one for?
Find joy: I love Fela Kuti, and I love podcaster Jad Abumrad. So I’m loving Jad’s new series “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.” It’s joy-filled and political in equal measure!
Find joy: It’s Halloween - my favorite holiday, but I still don’t have a costume planned. What are you wearing? Send me photos.
Onward,
Graig
Bravo Be Bold Be Courageous....I remember when JFK said we are going to the moon while living in PR I believed him.....Dems need to have more town halls and let the people come more and they in turn can become ambassadors with information, energy and they can share with others.....Less in the office and more with the people....its the people that will make the difference.....Thank you Senator Meyer....
Thanks for writing this. It's a great start.
At the risk of muddying the water, it seems to me that we would be better off with a list of 3 to 5 things that are specific and bold. I put the tax break for renters in that category.
I also want to reiterate my suggestion that Democrats frame their ideas around freedom and fairness. The renters tax break, that's an example of fairness.
I agree with you about the challenge of getting the message out there with Democrats. We always make everything too complicated. Always. Instead of a list of two things we have a list of 20 things. Instead of three words we have 50 words. Said a different way, we need to be bold in our messaging, not just in our policy proposals. In my experience, boldness in messaging is something the Democratic Party has no capacity to execute. You could lead on that front if you chose to.