Democrats need to become the party of patriots
"USA! USA! USA!"
This was a quick thought I had the other week that slowly turned into an article, so I thought I’d share it. As a liberal Democrat watching Republicans shake off the duties and respect for our nation, our institutions, and our veterans, I can’t help but feel the oppositional party should fill that patriotic void. Musk and Trump’s actions since inauguration should be problematic to any American who respects the rule of law and feels a duty to take care of those who fought for our freedoms. I’m one of them—join me!
After the Democrats’ election loss in November, the party appears to be struggling to shake the loss and move forward cohesively with its voters.
Between the calls to use more aggressive guardrail tactics against the Trump administration, and the reality that they’re outnumbered in each branch of government, people end up complaining about Democrats inaction rather than figuring out a strategy most can rally behind. The concern that Democrats are dragging their feet as President Trump and Elon Musk do as they please to the federal government is substantiated. Some in the party may fear that the future elections leaders are planning for won’t take place. Others want to present a broad and unified anti-Trump, pro-healthcare coalition.
In February, a group of moderate Democratic consultants, campaign staffers, elected officials, and party leaders met to discuss how Democrats can regain the trust of the working class and reconnect with them culturally after more of them in recent elections. They came up with 20 solutions in total, but one particularly stood out: “The party should embrace patriotism, community, and traditional American imagery.”
Being raised in a conservative, religious community in the rural South in the years after 9/11, the bare minimum of one's patriotic duty consisted of honoring the flag, respecting veterans, and admiring the immense sacrifices made by our troops throughout history—from the Revolutionary War to Iraq. Many of those in my community were hardcore Republicans.
As the steadily unpopular Iraq and Afghanistan wars continued, and the ideological winds shifted from interventionism to isolationism, it was quite noticeable that people viewed the new president, Barack Obama, with suspicion; convincing themselves that he was a Muslim and even questioning his citizenship. That’s when I got my first whiff of the conservative tide turning “populist”. By the time Donald Trump won the election, his nativist anti-establishment appeal had fully permeated the soul of the Republican party. MAGA treated the United States’ core principles and traditions as obstacles to be navigated rather than ideals to be respected—and his supporters welcomed it. This was quite evident when Trump encouraged them to “stop the steal” on January 6th and when he was indicted on conspiracy and racketeering charges in Georgia, just to be granted criminal immunity by the conservative-majority Supreme Court.
At the same time as Trump’s anti-patriotic influence on the Republican party took place, Democrats saw a rise in their own anti-American, anti-Western faction emerging from the leftover Obama coalition—those who had "awoken." This dogmatic quest for an anarchical revolution against all of America’s institutions took the spotlight in the political area, leaving MAGA’s anti-patriotic tendencies in the shadows.
The author of January 6th won the election again— potentially a good thing for Democrats. By losing power, they now have a chance to claim the patriotic mantle; going after Republicans who are showing little care for constitutional procedures and checks on executive power. They can be more attuned with our founding, less tolerant of intolerance in their camp, and become true proponents of the rule of law and the duties of those who should be enforcing it (the executive branch.)
There is a significant need for a patriotic coalition representing all of America—not just those in rural, conservative areas. 65% of Democrats were extremely proud to be Americans in 2003; now it’s 34%. Independents followed roughly similar declines. There’s a real opportunity to fill the traditional and patriotic void that’s been lost by standing in the way of those who attempt to maneuver the system now!
While this move to stand strong with America’s institutions, warts and all, may not please everyone within the party, if standing up for the nation’s core values and principles is unsupported by specific groups or individuals it may be time for the party to set a hard standard for being included in party discussions. Democrats clearly need more than the awoken and party loyalists to defeat authoritarianism. The first step should be emphasizing shared values and cultural alignment with average Americans. And what better way than representing what makes us all American?
As the Trump administration continues to make a mess with little signs of enforcement of the law taking place, Democrats should be advocating for the protection and long-term stability of our nation and its fundamental principles.