OP-ED: A new way forward for Democrats
Republicans gleefully support Donald Trump’s multi-pronged attack on the valuable services provided by the federal government and his disdain for the rule of law. The disarray in the Democratic Party is another high point for Trump supporters.
On March 10, our own Dave Ball, former local Republican Party chairman, wrote in his op-ed on these pages that “the Democratic Party is hurtling toward irrelevance.”
There certainly is evidence to support Ball’s assertion. The Democratic Party is disorganized and has failed to regain its bearings. Democratic strategist James Carville has lambasted fellow Democrats and suggested they “roll over and play dead.” Conversely, some progressives are calling for all-out resistance led by grassroots activists. Moderate Democrats want the comeback to begin in communities, city halls, and statehouses. Chuck Schumer, the minority Senate leader, faced intense backlash from his own party base after he recently sided with Republicans on the government funding vote.
At this low point for the Democratic Party, it was reassuring to learn that Ezra Klein, a liberal political commentator and journalist, has written a policy statement on a new way forward for Democrats. Klein, along with his co-author, Derek Thompson, a journalist who writes for The Atlantic magazine, have released what amounts to a political manifesto for reeling Democrats.
The book, simply titled “Abundance,” presents a vision for the future of America. The thesis is “an abundance of consumer goods distracted us from a scarcity of homes and energy and infrastructure and scientific breakthroughs.” According to Klein, their roadmap provides “a liberal answer to the Trump-Musk Wrecking Ball.”
Thompson introduces “Abundance” in his blog, Plain English, by reminding us that “since the election, Donald Trump has presented a ‘scarcity’ state of affairs to the American people.” First, his administration claims that since we do not have a viable economy (despite high growth and low inflation), we must suffer through a period of economic hardship. Second is the idea that since America cannot afford its debt (much of it caused by Trump’s tax cuts and excessive spending during his first term), we cannot afford health care for the poor or disabled. Third, because America needs more manufacturing (even though unemployment is at all-time lows), we must accept high tariffs and less trade. Fourth, because America does not have enough housing, we need fewer immigrants, including the industrious workers who construct most of the new housing. Lastly, because our nation has its own problems, we must place “America First” and stop offering aid to democracies around the world.
The message in “Abundance” is that there is indeed a scarcity of what America requires to grow and thrive. However, the Trump reasons and solutions are wrong. Gutting the federal government so that important agencies are broken and ignoring our international allies, both done to appease radical ideological MAGA goals, is not the answer.
The authors of “Abundance” make it clear that Democrats have contributed to the lack of abundance. Regulations promoted by Democrats to solve problems from the 1970s have prevented affordable infrastructure, housing solutions for urban density, and nuclear power for our energy needs. In a nutshell, “outdated laws meant to ensure that government considers the consequences of its actions, have now made it too difficult for government to act consequentially.”
The author’s proposed solution is novel but not complicated. Liberal Democrats must recognize and be willing to take immediate action when the government is failing and unable to clear the way for important projects. Conservative Republicans must recognize and offer support when government is needed to reach abundance.
Examples from the book will help explain the abundance problem. Across America, important projects to build housing get vetoed by a host of entrenched local interests that invoke outdated regulations and zoning laws. Because of regulations, it costs twice as much to build a mile of subway in America as it does in Japan and six times what it costs in Portugal. In the past 50 years, the inflation-adjusted cost to build a mile of interstate highway has tripled.
The authors tell a story of what can be done to circumvent the inevitable delays and logjams. On June 11, 2023, a gasoline truck overturned and exploded on Interstate 95, collapsing a bridge that closed an important section of the northeast highway system. Our newly elected Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro, staked his political career on a quick solution. Regulations were set aside to permit work at night in the rain, and the bidding process to choose contractors was waived. Against all odds, the bridge was rebuilt and traffic resumed in 12 days.
Both Klein and Thompson recognize the important tradeoffs that come when government is redesigned for dynamic action. It might be necessary to revise zoning, safety and other rules to achieve results. However, they believe that government stagnation resulting in failure to address the scarcities facing Americans is a national emergency.
Now is not the time to take a wrecking ball to the government. It is the time to take some calculated risks that will accelerate progress on housing, energy, health care, and infrastructure. Democrats should now advocate for a government that is designed to locate and remove unnecessary bottlenecks.
I cannot say whether the solutions outlined in this book are possible in today’s political climate. I do know they are worth considering as a new way forward for a wounded Democratic Party and divided nation.
Gary Stout is a Washington attorney.