Whither goest thou, Democrats?
OK, Democrats. Where do we go from here?
Now that the real patriots have stormed the Capitol in the only legal, strategic, and peaceful way allowed in a democratic republic, it’s time for some soul-searching. By all means, take a minute to revel in the victory, to exclaim over the unexpected turns (I see you, Texas!), to breathe huge sighs of relief, and perhaps to weep with joy that sanity prevailed Tuesday night.
Those of us who have not recognized our own country for years have heard a loud knock and, with amazement, see on our doorstep a beloved old friend we thought had been lost in a deep snowstorm.
But, let’s not pretend the Blue tsunami was a confirmation of the Democrats’ platform; rather, it was a refutation of the GOP’s. And so, this is a time of reckoning.
We must ask ourselves: what will we do with all this power?
First, we must resist the urge to “move on.” The Trump era has not left us sad the way the death of a dog does. It has not left us shaken the way a car accident does. It has not set us back the way a cancer diagnosis does. Instead, it has shaken our very identity, and most damagingly, robbed an entire generation of hope.
So, just as we did after after World War II, we must have our own Nuremberg moment. If we — and the world — are to regain faith in our institutions, and in particular the Judicial Branch, we must push for accountability. If it means jail time, so be it. Forgiveness is noble, (and may come eventually) but far too many people — indeed entire nations and economies — have suffered for us to move on easily.
Second, we must get a real plan. Not just a message that pushes back on the misogyny, racism, homophobia and incompetence of Trump and his minions. An actual plan of our own. And it must be ambitious, unified and grounded not only in equity and compassion, but also in real understanding of why we lost our base in the first place.
Finally, we must listen to young people when they say they want us to be bold. Along with the GOP, the notion of moderation got a real drubbing in the mid-terms. Contrary to the way the professional Democratic machinery would have us believe, centrists, on the face of it, are not more electable than candidates like Zoran Mamdani, who has inspired millions with his candor, vision and practical solutions to ease people’s suffering. Candidates too eager to compromise have been shown to be uninspiring at the polls. Current Affairs Magazine debunks the notion that Democratic voters want someone who walks proudly down the center of the aisle.
So, will our Democratic leaders in Connecticut take a page from the national trend toward elected officials who are not afraid to take bold stands? Here in Connecticut, the General Assembly Democrats have made their supermajority a super-super one. The plethora of new, diverse faces is exhilarating. But will business be run any differently? Will the House and Senate leadership continue to allow the ever-diminishing minority of GOP members filibuster, defuse, dissemble, waste time, and mischaracterize and water down bills?
Or will they listen to voices like that of Julie Donato, a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, who texted me early this morning: “For the first time since I’ve been old enough to understand our government, I feel hope. I can only imagine what this bold new wave will bring, but I’m determined to be part of it — I’m determined to do my part in helping our country become a place I’m actually proud to talk about again.”
Christine Palm, who served three terms in the Connecticut General Assembly, is founding director of The Active Voice, a leadership development program for young environmentalists.
