Terms of Agreement: How the Democrats can Come Together

There is a chance – a pathway, really – that the conflict between “progressives,” some of whom call themselves some kind of “socialists,” and mainstream or “centrist” Democrats will fairly quickly just fade away. It won’t take much, though admittedly said pundits and Republicans egged on by Donald Trump will without letup keep whipping that horse.

What can happen, the pathway toward a more (OK, not totally) unified Democratic side going into the November midterms is just this: the “establishment,” the national Democratic Party and sitting elected Democrats at all levels look over at the (for some) so far frightening – and successful – “progressives” and yes, “social democrats” even those Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and realize and state loudly and repeatedly that “We agree with them.” Not entirely, of course, but look at what is common:

• Getting money out of politics.
• Increasing taxes on the wealthy, particularly billionaires.
• Affordable childcare and pre-school.
• More affordable housing.
• Medicare for all – a long-term goal that will begin with short-term fixes including repairs to Medicaid and restoration of Obamacare insurance subsidies, increasing (buzz word) “affordability” for families. (There is room to add Medicare taxation above the 0.9% premium now charged families with earnings above $250,000.)
• Save Social Security – raise the Social Security tax to cover all wage and salary earnings. Currently, earnings above $184,500 are not taxed. Removing that cap could make SS financially sound for years beyond 2032 when the trust fund is projected to go broke, leading to benefit cuts.
• Restore the once-simple standards for “food stamps” SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) that have been buried in paperwork by Trump actions.
• Raise national and local minimum wages, short-term. Long-term, strengthen labor unions. They’ve been weakened over time which is why local governments have already stepped in to raise minimum wages, require health plans and pass standards for gig workers.
• Restrain, restrict, regulate ICE and develop a strong system to control borders. Trump killed off this possibility himself in 2024. It can be revived.
• Break up monopolies, particularly in the food industry to work toward “affordability.”
• Regulate tech. Break up many (all?) of those companies. The future won’t be so much determined by what AI can do but, as with the Internet now, by who owns it.
• Strengthen anti-trust laws and action overall, particularly including media.
• Move on the “Green New Deal” – begin by restoring the wind and solar power plans Trump has ruled against or bought off.
• Cut, or at least for some, rationalize, rethink miliary spending. (No Trump battleships.)              

OK, there’s also plenty of far-out stuff in the far left “progressive” Democratic Socialists of America platform, stuff that’s attractive to (mostly) younger voters. Trump’s gang is already tagging all Democrats, not just DSA, “socialists” and trying to scare everyone by calling Democrats of any view “communists,” along with anyone else Trump personally doesn’t like.

And, yes, DSA talks about a 32-hour work week, free college, government ownership of industries, ideas even they know are way, way in the future, if possible, at all.

But this is the answer: If Democrats, progressive, centrist, moderate or whatever simply keep repeating their agreement on the key points above, they’ll drown out the Trump noise and win. With what? A big tent party.

Even with the toughest nut to crack – Gaza, Palestine, attitudes toward Israel – there’s an answer. Democrats can say they fully respect what voters and candidates are saying on these troublesome issues in their home districts or states. Candidates who win and who want change are welcome to bring their commitments to Congress and the Senate for open debate and answers, possible policy changes, when Democrats have control in January 2027.