The Democratic Party Must ‘Support the Working Class’

Readers say

“Find out how to help working people survive in today’s economy,” said one respondent.

In a devastating one op-ed in The Boston Sphere On Sunday, US Senator Bernie Sanders gave the Democratic party an ultimatum of sorts: “You either stand with our country’s powerful oligarchy, or you stand with the working class. You can’t represent both.” Boston.com readers largely agree.

The Vermont senator said Democrats “to leave‘the working class and did not see the anger that many feel because ‘the very rich are getting much richer’. Sanders said the party handed the 2024 election to Donald Trump, who took advantage of that anger.

“In my opinion, the Democrats lost this election because they ignored the righteous anger of the American working class and became the defenders of a rigged economic and political system,” he wrote.

Donald Trump’s influence among voters was even clearly visible in liberal strongholds such as Massachusetts, a state that reliably Democratic since 1928.

Despite Harris’ victory in the Commonwealth, Trump was popular in large parts of Plymouth, Bristol, Worcester and Hampden counties. The city he won most definitively was Acushnet, with 72% of the vote. Trump won 60% or more of the vote in Granville, Blandford, Berkley, Phillipston and Wales.

Although the geography of Trump’s support remained roughly the same between 2020 and 2024, his margins of victory in this election were generally larger in the cities he won and closer in the cities he lost.

Nationally, many Democrats have failed to vote at the pace they did in 2020, according to a New York Times analysis of election data.

Counties with the biggest Democratic wins in 2020 gave Kamala Harris 1.9 million fewer votes than for Joe Biden. Meanwhile, the nation’s most Republican counties delivered another 1.2 million votes to Trump this year, according to the analysis of the 47 states where vote counting is largely complete.

Boston.com readers overwhelmingly agreed with Sanders’ comments that the Democratic party needs a shake-up. Of the more than 350 respondents to our survey, a whopping 97% said the Democratic party needs to change.

Sanders urged Democrats to fight for a series of “working class priorities,” ranging from a federal minimum wage of $17 an hour to Social Security reforms, universal health care, free education at public colleges, affordable childcare , low incomes and affordable housing, and a progressive tax system that will force the nation’s wealthiest individuals to “start paying their fair share.”

Many Boston.com readers listed these issues as among the priorities they would like to see the party address, along with more structural changes and other reforms.

Below, readers share the changes they would like to see the Democratic party make in the future.

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

What changes would you like to see the Democratic party make?

‘Fight for the everyday Joe like me’

“Living wages, affordable housing, universal healthcare, free education, etc. Bernie is 100% right; the Democrats failed the working class, and that’s why Trump won.” – PC, Somerville

‘I agree with Bernie on this. I’m old enough to remember when workers and blue-collar workers, unions and inner cities were all Democratic. I think working people are right to think that the Democratic party is doing nothing to help them with the high cost of living and health care for all but the very wealthy. Trump won’t do anything for working people either, but I think they have fallen for his promises that things will be different under his administration. I think the Democratic party needs to take a long hard look in the mirror and try to figure out how to help working people make it in today’s economy.” – Jennifer, Peabody

“The Democratic agenda must work to address economic issues that impact the average worker or retiree, such as the national minimum wage and supplemental coverage under Medicare, including dental and hearing aids. The Democratic Party continues to emphasize identity politics and other issues promoted by party elites at its peril.” – Chris, West Roxbury

“Stand honestly with the working class and ensure that changes are made so that progressive taxes can be levied. The rich in this country already have so much!” – Susanna K., Cambridge

“Fight for the everyday Joe like me. I live paycheck to paycheck in Vermont. Focus more on all issues (not just Trump or whoever is the candidate).” – Steven J., Essex, Vermont

‘It is time for a massive change in the party’s leadership’

“I agree with Sanders: Democrats have given up their core values ​​in the hope of appealing to the mythical ‘liberal Republican.’ The Democrats awarded Trump the election because of their hubris and contempt for the American people. It is time for a massive change in the leadership of the party.” – Mike, Lincoln

“The party must tap its talent pool for the truly charismatic rainmakers of the next generation (e.g. Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg, Jeff Jackson, Kamala Harris and even Republicans like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger). This is the future of America, these are the people we need to support.” – Conor L., Boston

“It is time to forget the parties and the Electoral College and elect or appoint a qualified candidate, with a resume that exudes excellence, a deep understanding of law, economics, defense and outstanding leadership. Going backward is not the answer, moving forward and the current structure of choosing a leader to govern the country must change.” – Tay, Salisbury

“All they have to do is fire the DNC (leadership). Two willing elections lost because the DNC power gave us candidates instead of canvassing the base.” – Steve, Brighton

‘Stop pushing identity politics’

“The party has become dependent on fringe elements who espouse positions that are out of step with the average American; this is why Trump was able to win the popular vote. People were not and are not fooled by all his rhetoric, but many of the Democratic leaders’ positions do not reflect the thinking of Americans and American workers. This caused some to vote for Trump, and many more to stay home in disgust; the vote totals, compared to previous elections, prove this point.” – Richard G., Dorchester

“Act in the interests of the vast majority in the middle, and not in the interests of the agenda of the extreme left. Remember, the majority votes for their wallets, and for safety, first.” – Otis, Boston

“Stop pushing identity politics. Address the border problem with a solution instead of hate. Admit that the economy is not working for many Americans and propose a solution.” – John P., Boston

“Stop focusing on liberal and progressive issues like transgender issues, DEI, increased taxes to fund bigger government, etc. Instead, focus on pocketbook issues like the economy, inflation, and out-of-control immigration.” – Jeff, Framingham

‘Listen to his voters’

“The Democratic Party needs to wake up and listen to its voters! Stop showing graphs and statistics about low employment and a great economy when a gallon of milk cost $3.50 two years ago and now $7! People don’t want to see graphs, they want corporate greed stopped so they can afford groceries. They want universal health care so they don’t have to file bankruptcy because of medical bills. They must be able to afford housing and childcare.” – Susan S., Scituate

“Suggestion for Democrats: Go meet some Trump voters, and some nonvoters, too, and listen to what they have to say. Really listen. It may take a while. Only then can you come up with a plan to win back voters.” – Michael, Concord

“I think it’s very simple. The Democratic party needs to start listening to what we think, instead of telling us what to think.” – Bill, Brighton

Boston.com occasionally communicates with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinions.