Democrats Face Consequences of Their Own Actions

Recently, the nation reached a critical juncture in its political landscape. A select group of exceedingly wealthy individuals who dominate the economic sphere, alongside their political devotees, have pushed forward to safeguard their deep-rooted economic interests. This agenda is detailed in a document known as Project 2025, which describes a highly charged plan for a neofascist government, reminiscent of the religiously driven Taliban regime.

Those with progressive views might note that our leading economic class is split into two factions. The corporatists, who focus on trade and investments both at home and abroad, and the oligarchs, primarily from private equity backgrounds, who favor dismantling regulations and promoting economic upheaval.

While the Democrats have historically aligned with the corporatist approach, the Republicans have catered to the needs of the oligarchs. The latter group rallied behind Mr. Trump, a charismatic and controversial figure whose fabrications seemed to strike a chord with the working class.

The media onslaught was relentless, with corporate outlets frequently broadcasting misleading information. The chaos of personal opinions flooding social media made discerning truth from fiction a daunting challenge.

Real Economy

Both major political parties professed to champion the working class. However, an essential aspect of our economy is often overlooked in political discourse, with Republicans generally avoiding the topic altogether and Democrats getting sidetracked by other issues.

This overlooked aspect is the rigid structure of our economic system, which predominantly benefits the wealthiest Americans and perpetuates economic hardship or anxiety among the vast majority of middle and working-class citizens.

Economic Model Distractions

The economic elite have invested heavily in media, think tanks, and politicians to propagate distorted, oversimplified, and false narratives about our economy. These narratives often divide workers along racial and ethnic lines.

Other divisive strategies include opposing sensible gun control, denying women’s reproductive rights, ignoring climate change, and perpetuating baseless fears about government conspiracies, among other irrational beliefs.

Under Mr. Trump’s influence, deceptive practices reached new heights, with his blatant falsehoods setting a new standard in political discourse.

Many liberal commentators and politicians, cocooned in their corporate media environments, failed to address the real economic struggles faced by workers since the Democratic Party’s shift during the Clinton era.

Working People’s Issues

Working individuals deserve opportunities as they generate the profits. Their fundamental concerns include economic security, healthcare, housing, education, nutrition, transportation, safety, and to some extent, democratic governance. However, the immediate needs of a hungry child will always take precedence over abstract political concepts.

Mr. Trump’s Appeal

Political analysts remain puzzled by the significant support Mr. Trump received from working-class demographics, despite his policies not aligning with their economic interests. The lingering effects of minimal and unfulfilled promises from the corporate-led Democratic Party contributed to this political backlash, which Mr. Trump seemed to mitigate.

His direct and assertive style, despite being laden with misleading statements, resonated with many workers.

Unemployment

The Ludwig Institute for Shared Prosperity (LISEP) calculates what it calls the True Rate of Unemployment, considering those in the labor force who are underemployed or earn below a living wage, which they define as $25,000 annually before taxes.

This metric highlights a stark reality, helping explain why many workers were drawn to Mr. Trump, looking past his personal flaws and focusing on economic issues.

For instance, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a 4.1 percent unemployment rate in October 2024, LISEP indicated a True Rate of Unemployment of 24.0 percent for the same period.

Underemployment

Underemployment, as defined by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, refers to individuals working in jobs that do not require a college degree, affecting many recent college graduates and contributing to stagnant wages that disproportionately benefit the economic elite.

Cost of Living

The Economic Policy Institute provides a realistic model for the cost of living across various regions, highlighting the discrepancy between actual living costs and median incomes, which often leaves families struggling to meet basic needs.

Inflation

Inflation rates, as reported by the BLS and measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), show a significant difference from figures reported by alternative sources like Shadow Government Statistics (SGS), which suggest much higher rates of inflation, compounding the economic challenges faced by average Americans.

Resistance

Progressives need effective strategies to counter the dehumanizing effects of Project 2025. Surprisingly, many workers continue to support Mr. Trump, not because they agree with his moral or ethical stance, but because the economic model has failed them for decades.

Labor unions must lead the way

Labor unions, with their extensive organizing capabilities, are well-positioned to spearhead campaigns for progressive candidates, though they must overcome internal divisions and focus on broader community interests to effectively counter the influence of Project 2025.

Progressive Paths Forward

Progressives have a couple of potential paths: taking control of the Democratic Party by electing genuinely progressive candidates or establishing a true labor party that aligns more closely with the interests of working people.

The recent political landscape, shaped by Mr. Trump’s policies, underscores the urgent need for a resistance that can reassert the values of the American democratic experience.