Pat Taub
I had hoped that Troy Jackson, with a long history in labor—logger, union leader—and in local government, and who began his campaign speaking for Mainers would bring progressive changes. Yet his campaign to unseat the aging and devious Susan Collins—look at her vote for Brett Kavanaugh—now moves towards “inside the Beltway.”
But is he now being influenced by nationally based Democratic consultants to walk back his support for Gaza and Medicare for All, if he wants enthusiastic backing? Should Mainers and the country feel betrayed?
Medicare for All, excellent public schools, affordable housing, strong unions, decent wages and an economy that puts human needs ahead of corporate profit were the core of Democratic policies and politics until the Clinton years.
A Peoples’ Party is needed now more than ever. Our country’s current system is moribund, dominated by two enormous parties, with established organizations, vast fundraising networks and substantial advantages in ballot access and name recognition. In truth there is little difference between the two parties
A new party driven by commitment, stamina, resources, creativity, and human values—must resist professional political insiders whose sole goal is self-advancement—power concentrated in the hands of the elite, and self-interested wealthy donors. A party that rejects authoritarianism and personality-cult idolatry.
A Peoples’ Party will focus on what is actually needed: health care for all; excellent public education; housing that’s safe and affordable; strong unions and the right to organize; living wages; childcare; abortion rights; an environment safe for future generations and all living things; rejection of endless wars; dignity for all.
It would need neighborhood groups, union members, teachers, young people, retirees, farmers, service workers and small-business owners sitting together in town halls to listen before it asked for votes.
Town halls should not be campaign theater. They should be a permanent feature of political life. Candidates should answer difficult questions without being surrounded by handlers. They should remain connected to their communities after election day. Organizing should continue whether or not an election is approaching.
Town Hall meeting in a neighborhood school
The hardest challenge may be resisting the temptation to compromise before the movement has even begun. Once a new party starts seeking money and electoral viability, the pressure to soften its demands will be enormous. The question would always have to be: Are we changing our message because our principles have changed, or because we are afraid of losing?
We don’t need a party of ideological purity. We need a broad coalition of people who can agree on a basic economic and democratic agenda while allowing room for disagreement. The focus should be on electing school-board members, city councilors and legislators, accountable to their communities,
A People’s Party built around the conviction that ordinary people, organized together, can become a political force—and that democracy means more than choosing, every few years, which establishment candidate we find least disappointing.
