If the Democratic Party were a person, they’d be that friend who brings a salad to a pizza party and then wonders why nobody’s excited to see them. The 2024 election loss isn’t just a fluke or bad luck—it’s a symptom of a much deeper problem: their obsession with centrism. While the party clings to the belief that they can court moderates, right-leaning voters and their corporate donors, they’re consistently ignoring the voices of the people who actually want change. Spoiler alert: it’s not working.
Time and time again, Democrats double down on the same tired ass strategy: play it safe, pander to the mythical centrist voter, and avoid “too much change.” It’s the political equivalent of showing up to a climate rally with a reusable straw and calling it revolutionary. Sure, they’ll talk a good game about progressive policies, but when it comes time to deliver, it’s always, “Now isn’t the right time.”
Take healthcare, for example. Universal healthcare isn’t just a pipe dream; it’s something a majority of Americans support. But instead of fighting for it, the party throws out half-measures like it’s still 2009. The same goes for climate action, student debt relief, and workers’ rights. These aren’t fringe ideas—they’re popular policies that would actually help people. Dems and republicans alike. But instead of leaning into the energy of their base, they’d rather tiptoe around the issues and hope to peel off a few white suburban conservatives. And low n behold, those conservatives still voted for the other guy. Who woulda thought!
Here’s the thing, the Democratic base—young people, marginalized communities, progressives—has been screaming for years about what they want: transformative change. They’re not asking for bandaids on bullet wounds. They’re asking for bold action that meets the moment. But instead of listening, the party’s leadership treats their most engaged supporters like an afterthought.
Remember 2016? Bernie Sanders ignited a grassroots movement with policies like free college tuition, Medicare for All, and a $15 minimum wage. That energy was real, it was powerful, and it scared the establishment so much they squashed it. Fast forward to 2020, and they did the SAME EXACT THING. Rather than lean into that momentum, they told voters to settle for a “return to normalcy.” And in 2024? Well, here we are, with Republicans back in charge because normalcy wasn’t enough to inspire people to show up. I want to make it very clear that the reason for losing the election wasn’t because people didn’t “show up”, it's because they ran an AWFUL campaign.
It’s not just that the Democrats keep losing—it’s that their losses are so incredibly and painfully predictable. The party’s refusal to take risks isn’t just cowardly; it’s self-sabotage. Young voters turned out in record numbers in 2020, pushing Biden over the finish line. What did they get in return? A lot of empty promises, half-measures and the continuation of enabling the genocide of innocent people half way around the world. The student loan forgiveness that was going to change lives? Blocked. Climate action? Watered down. However, from my understanding the one thing I can say was “OK” was how pro labor Biden was. Far from what we need, but a step in the right direction. (I say hesitantly knowing the giant walking turd that’s about to take over)
While Republicans are out here banning books, rolling back civil rights, and stacking the courts, Democrats are still trying to “reach across the aisle.” I don’t know how many times we have to say this: you can’t reason with people who don’t think you deserve basic human rights! As long as their cancerous policies make their lives better, they DO NOT CARE how awful it will make yours.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Climate change is already here, threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions. Healthcare costs are bankrupting families. Corporations are raking in record profits while workers fight for scraps. And yet, instead of addressing these crises head-on, the Democrats keep pretending that compromise is a victory. It’s not. It literally is not. It’s a death sentence for the very people who rely on them most.
Meanwhile, Republicans don’t waste time worrying about alienating voters—they double down on their agenda, no matter how extreme it is. And guess what? It works. Because when you stand for something, people know what they’re getting. When you stand for everything, you stand for nothing.
Here’s a thought: stop chasing the voters who will never support you and start energizing the people who already do. Imagine a Democratic Party that actually fought for workers, for healthcare, for the planet, social justice and progressive reform. Imagine a party that didn’t apologize for wanting a better world, that wasn’t afraid to call out the billionaires and corporations destroying it. That’s not just a pipe dream—it’s what voters are begging for. Unfortunately for us, those corporations fund the Democratic Party. However, I still think there’s hope.
We’ve seen glimpses of what’s possible. The Fight for $15. The Green New Deal. Grassroots labor movements taking on giants like Amazon and Starbucks. These are the kinds of fights that inspire people, that give them a reason to show up. But they can’t just be slogans—they need to be the foundation of the party’s platform. Bernie has recently been speaking a lot about the party missing a lot of Labor or Union recognition and I agree. I hope before he’s done with politics that he creates a labor party so that maybe, just maybe, we can see a glimpse of hope at dismantling the two party system.
It’s clear the establishment isn’t going to save us. But we don’t need permission to fight for the world we want. Start by getting involved in local politics. Organize and campaign for candidates who actually represent your values. Demand more from the leaders who claim to represent you! I recently found out that all committee hearings in my ward were available online for free so if you are interested in what is going on around you, it’s a google away.
Arguably most importantly, don’t let their failures make you apathetic. That’s exactly what they want. The road ahead is long, but it’s not impossible. As one wise, animated fish once said, “Just keep swimming.”
If the Democratic Party won’t fight for us, then we’ll fight for ourselves. Because the people in power only win when we stop trying.
