Since the Reagan administration our nation’s politics have consistently moved farther to the right on both sides of the aisle. Now, in 2018, our government is controlled by right wing extremists. This move has destroyed our government; it is completely dysfunctional. Since the beginning of 2009, right wing obstructionists have refused to deliberate or compromise. Very little has been accomplished in Washington, and that failure was a part of the equation which encouraged angry Americans to elect the worst president in history on November 8, 2016.

Although they have control of all three branches of government, Republicans have proven that they are incapable of governing. In the House, the Freedom Caucus; the most extreme group of them all; has taken control of all 435 members, and nothing has been accomplished which would positively affect the majority for years. They are tools of the Koch brothers, and they have become a “one-way” government. Bipartisanship is non-existent. Sadly, and even worse for our nation, this group of hardliners refuses to work with moderates or true conservatives in their own party.

Trump, McConnell, and Ryan are proof that what is desperately needed is a move back towards the left.

Democrats and forward thinking Independents must embrace the label of ‘liberal.’ They should return to the successful policies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and William Jefferson Clinton. Democrats have chosen to use the world ‘progressive.’ The meaning is there, and it is a description of what those on the left should be. However, for me, ‘liberal’ is a signal that the people’s party is returning, and will end its 25 year policy of attempting to appease dedicated right wing voters, while failing to have the courage to support those in their own party with passion and courage.

Democrats must seek out the next generations of voters. The answer to both wins by Democrats and moving our nation forward rests in the hands of women, millennials, and whatever label will be applied to the next voting group which is still in high school.

In our nation’s government, several Democratic Senators are offering nearly forgotten ideas which would move our nation forward. Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Kamala Harris apparently realize that their predecessors were successful because they served the needs the people first and placed elections second; something which has not been the policy of either party for decades.

Several proposals have been tabled for as long as a decade. They include single-payer health care, postal banking, marijuana reparations, and a federal job guarantee.

Kamala Harris would like to see the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency disbanded. However, when asked about the proposal on MSNBC, she deferred to the fact that she is a first year Senator, and said that she would support the agency but would like to see some reforms.

Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, and possibly Ms. Harris are considered probable presidential candidates in 2020.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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Image courtesy of DonkeyHotey