After two years of scaling back progressive reforms to meet the demands of Republican dissent and obstruction, Democrats find themselves once more in the minority in the U.S. House of Representatives. They now face the same choice Republicans did two years ago: either return to the core values of their party, or continue attempting bipartisanship with an even more radical opposition majority. Any further concessions would be a mistake. Democrats in Congress and across the country must advocate for reform rather than continuing to allow Republican partisans to frame the national debate.
The newly empowered Republican Party will certainly be focused on repealing much of the legislation that Democrats advocated for over the last two years. Tuesday’s election is not a referendum on liberal policies; instead, it is a reflection of the Democratic Party’s inability to face down Republican opposition and advocate for its core beliefs. Democrats must not continue to give ground on these important issues simply for the sake of avoiding conflict or appearing bipartisan.
Congressional Democrats must be careful in the fights they pick over the next two years and throw what remains of their influence behaind legislation that addresses the country’s economic position. For example, Democrats should hold Republicans accountable for justifying the revenues that would be lost if the Bush Era tax cuts are renewed, as the presumptive Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH) has pledged.
Further, Democrats should also propose investments in the country’s infrastructure, a policy that would not only improve the country’s roads and bridges, but create thousands of desperately needed jobs. Finally, President Barack Obama should renew his focus on energy security, an agenda item that has been overlooked during the first 18 months of his administration. Building a domestic clean energy industry will create high-value jobs, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and tackle issues of climate change. These policies will put Republicans in the untenable position of opposing legislation that would help move the country’s economy forward.
Though they should be primarily focused on economic issues, Democrats should not abandon the programs they have supported over the last two years. Despite their flaws, measures like Health Care Reform and Financial Regulation are necessary first steps towards addressing some of the nation’s most important problems. Democrats in Congress and across the country must frame solutions to these complex issues in a practical manner. The rhetoric must shift from “change we can believe in” to change we can achieve.
