My Party Forgot Half of America

 

This blog is inspired by listening to an On Point podcast today. I grew up in a progressive household and have been progressive, and Democratic, for all my life. (Well, except for the sixth-grade mock vote where I voted for Mr. Nixon like all the kids that impressed me on the road I had just moved to...) But I have found it increasingly frustrating to support Democratic candidates and apologists as I have, for a long time, felt the Democrats lost the "traditional" backbone of middle-class folks, the individuals and families going to work every day, losing jobs when manufacturing leaves town, now having to work multiple jobs and miss family events just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.

First, A Story - A Strike in Wickliffe OH

During my first full-time job I worked as a computer engineer for a company that made industrial controls in Wickliffe Ohio. During that time the manufacturing workers went on strike for higher pay and better working conditions. Even though I was "management" (salaried) I felt the workers had every right to collective bargaining, and striking, as needed. This was around 1978 or 1979 when our country was beginning to think about "offshoring". Long story short during the strike "management" (well the "senior" management, not me) chose to "offshore" one of the manufacturing lines to China. (I think it was the classic "cheaper there than here" but could also have been a bit of punishment for the union. But don't quote me on that.) It was the first example (in my opinion) where I saw the "elite" treating the very people that are the foundation of our economy as pawns, trying to minimize the cost of labor, labor that is the very core of our society.

Wringing My Hands and Listening To A Podcast

I have been thinking, since Mr. Trump's second presidential win, what has my party missed? I have been upset that we talk about all sorts of progressive goals and concepts, that we fight AIDs, increase healthcare coverage, fight to find ways to right the lingering effects of slavery, recognize that everyone but the Native or Indigenous people are immigrants, so much more... But we find these are not of crucial importance to half of our society. I am not surprised AT ALL the Democrats could not win the presidency. (Or the House and the Senate.) The On Point podcast "How the Left lost the working class" (originally broadcast 21-Jul-2025) answered important questions for me. This podcast only confirmed my understanding that we (the Progressive Elite) are no longer reaching what the podcast terms the "middle status voters" - the middle 50% of voters, the backbone of our country!

The Call

There is a lot in the Podcast - go listen (please) - but what I found, what I agree with, is (from the podcast) "The...tactic we should use is to connect with ordinary people's values". My call is to find a new Democratic voice that stops thinking the elite progressive is the only, or even primary model.

Our Democratic leaders and candidates need to understand, support, CONNECT WITH the middle 50% of voters.

(Updated to correct several typos)