Rip Van Winkle’s Message to the Democratic Party
Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle awakened after sleeping for twenty years in New York’s Catskill Mountains. His awakening was abrupt, shaken by his realization that the world around him had drastically changed, including the loss of his former acquaintances and the shift in political circumstances.
America’s Democratic Party, mimicking old Rip, was recently jolted from a long, sodden sleep by a thirty-three-year-old Muslim’s decisive victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary.
Starting with a 1% recognition rate, Zohran Mamdani used a savvy social media effort, youthful energy, and a simple powerful message that neutered efforts by the corrupt old guard Democratic and Republican politicians and donors to derail his campaign with negative ads and by attempting to tarnish a self-described socialist as (Please be seated if you have a heart condition) . . .a Socialist!!!
Yes, a socialist, somehow conveniently ignoring the hash this old guard has made of America’s economy and culture with their tainted brand of capitalism gone rogue.
Mamdani’s message was both simple and complex – affordability.
“Simple” because he delivered this message in clear complete sentences without resorting to vulgarity, gibberish, or lies. He spoke in a manner that made sense to working-class citizens who could no longer afford homes, rent, food, transportation.
And he mingled freely with New Yorkers so they could hear his message and see that he was not a convicted criminal, a sex offender, a drunk, a puppy killer, or a masked storm trooper snatching innocent people off the street and sending them to gulags.
“Complex” because it draws us into a discussion of how America came to this pass: (1) how the enormous wealth gap between the ultra-rich and middle class has brought us to the brink of oligarchy ruled by a dictator busily dismantling the three branches of government. And (2) how this “gap” has been accelerated by MAGA Republicans systematically dividing and distracting Americans with emotional issues while they simultaneously screwed the warring parties and became richer and more powerful.
So, Mamdani’s message to Democrats across the country is “Wake Up!”
I have a few heavily caffeinated, eye-opening ideas:
1. Retire the politicians in the party who have been around too long and have not adapted to the nation’s changing reality – cashier the aging “warriors” who are fighting the last war with outdated weapons and tactics. If they will not step aside, vote them out. If they have served well in the past, provide emeritus/emerita status to them as advisers or consultants if needed.
2. Propose age limits for Presidential candidates. No one over 70.
3. Require all presidential candidates to pass a board certified psychological, as well as physical, examination before they can run, never mind serve. No more crazies.
4. Recruit younger, intelligent, articulate, and (ideally) honest candidates, candidates with all the current communications skills. No more bumbling geezers.
5. Form a mock “Government in Exile” from among the most talented crop of Democratic office holders, perhaps from among those who intend to run for President in 2028. Such a government might mimic the structure of the current cabinet and provide a running commentary on the day-to-day business of the current corrupt regime, reminding citizens how things should be done, and will be done under a Democratic administration.
6. Impeach Justices Alito and Thomas for grossly corrupt and unethical practices. Then, shut down the Federalist Society.
7. Propose term limits and age limits for Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen, and members of the Supreme Court.
8. Propose reversal of the MAGA Supreme Court’s decisions on Abortion, Presidential power, defunding Planned Parenthood.
9. Advocate for a reversal of “Citizens United” decision. Meanwhile write legislation that approximates the Bipartisan Reform Act of 2002 sponsored by Senator John McCain, a Republican and Senator Russ Feingold, a Democrat.
10. Propose an outline for a Commission to investigate Trump, his cabinet, and key appointees for blatant violations of the Constitution.
11. Revive Biden’s taxes on the wealthiest people in the county.
12. On budgeting: (a) substantially reduce the military budget, especially for appropriations for outrageously expensive weapons that are already obsolete and will be useless in the future. (b) Raise the eligibility age for Social Security to 68, except for those with verifiable illnesses. (c) Deny Social Security payments to the ultra-wealthy.
13. Preserve Medicare and Medicaid. Consider the feasibility of universal health care.
14. Limit of no more than three months for all political campaigns.
Work to restore the Constitutional power of Congress and limit Presidential power, per the Constitution.
Zohar Mamdani’s affordability message for NYC may not be a one-size fits all constituencies, but it is a starting point and a Rip Van Winkle “wake up call” to Democrats that times have changed, and it is time for a new generation of aggressive and smart Democrats to bring a fresh set of proposals to a population that has been lied to and misled for too long.
Amen.
Well said, sir. One other thing (I know, it'd be a Constitutional amendment) Limit presidential term to 6 years and that's it. No re-election. They can run again in six years if they want, but stop them from spending all their time in office running for re-election.