Xenoyer the Destroyer

The true tragedy wasn’t just Trump’s election—it was how easily so many Americans were drawn to him. I’m still stunned at how a majority of voters were taken in by his empty promises and showmanship. Equally disheartening is the realization that nearly half the people around me now openly support values aligned with his. I used to believe that most people held to good morals and common decency, but this experience has taught me otherwise. The divisions, violence, and hate that fill our society are the fallout of this change. I find myself now walking on eggshells, unable to speak openly about my beliefs or the news of the day without fearing backlash. I’m a Marxist and a socialist, and while the First Amendment should protect my views, the climate around me feels anything but free.

When our voices are silenced out of fear, when we are forced into hiding our convictions, our First Amendment rights are barely worth the paper they’re written on. It pains me to pull back from the friendly, gregarious person I once was, but caution has become necessary. I can no longer simply open up; instead, small talk and quiet probing will become the norm when I meet someone new. I like being friendly—it makes me happier. But what’s next for us if we’re boxed in by fear and a culture of silence?

The Democratic Party, our supposed counterforce to Trump, failed to shake his grip. Every revelation that should have ruined his chances fell flat. We must have missed something fundamental—our methods, our messaging, our understanding of the public’s concerns. And this is where the Democratic Party could benefit from a shift in focus. We should stop pointing fingers and start assessing where we went wrong. Errors are only wasted if we don’t learn from them. Instead of blaming individual politicians when they fall short, let’s look at the strategies used and improve them. Process improvement should be as second nature to the Democratic Party as breathing.

It’s clear the Democratic Party had the right issues in mind—they’ve championed unions, labor rights, and the social contract. But how they communicated these issues must have missed the mark. Look at Trump: a lifelong showman who knows how to read a crowd, he speaks directly to people’s frustrations and fears. Whether we agree with his tactics or not, there’s a lesson here. The Democratic Party needs to learn from this moment and refine its approach or it risks becoming obsolete.

Take the issue of labor rights. We’ve seen a surge in strikes recently, a call for fair wages, security, and respect for labor. The Democratic Party has shown up to support unions, but not with the conviction and boldness people are looking for. Trump’s recent threats to impose tariffs on corporations like John Deere if they move jobs to Mexico may not be the right economic approach, but it sends a clear message: he’s willing to stand up to big business for American workers. And that resonates, even if economically it may be short-sighted.

If the Democratic Party truly wants to stand for workers, they could offer something even stronger than tariffs: codetermination. Imagine if 50% of corporate boards were made up of labor representatives. This system would empower workers in a way no tariff ever could and would create a voice for labor in the boardrooms where critical decisions are made. This is bold action that would make people sit up and take notice. But will the Democratic Party step up? Corporate donations and PACs are still the lifeblood of the party, and taking this route would mean risking those funding sources. Yet real change requires real courage.

And the problem doesn’t stop there. Our democracy itself is on life support, poisoned by partisanship. The Founders warned us about a time when the nation would split into opposing factions, each more invested in power than in compromise. That time is now, and it’s killing our political process. The Democratic Party must be willing to take the radical step of ending this destructive cycle. If they ever regain control of the House, they could institute an irrevocable rule: make the Speaker of the House a nonpartisan role. Extend that to all committee chairs, and require them to serve as neutral leaders, representing the people over party.

This reform would be the medicine our democracy needs. The position of Speaker should belong to the people, not the parties. Yet the Democratic Party might resist, just as the Republicans would, because it means relinquishing the power to control that seat, even at the risk of leaving it to right-wing partisans like Mike Johnson or Jim Jordan. But the courage to give up power is precisely what we need from them. A selfless step like this would resonate with the public, who already feel left behind and unheard. It would show a commitment to restoring integrity to our government and giving the people their voice back.

The people are fed up. They feel like they’re getting the shaft, and they’re right. It’s time for the Democratic Party to take bold actions, to put the needs of the common people, the backbone of this nation, above corporate interests and political gamesmanship. But will they? Are they willing to give up power, to turn down corporate dollars, and to take a stand for true democratic values?

I’m not optimistic. Knowing that half the people around me seem to value power over principle, I don’t hold out much hope that the Democratic Party will do the right thing. But without this kind of bold leadership, our democracy is in jeopardy. The Republican Party may be willing to go to dangerous lengths, but without a counterbalance rooted in integrity, the road ahead looks bleak.

James E. Parks 11/08/2024