Democrats Lost More Than an Election in 2014 [View all]

[marmar]

Democrats Lost More Than an Election in 2014

Friday, 07 November 2014 10:25
By Marisa Franco, #Not1More | Op-Ed


With the US witnessing rising levels of community and labor activism in the past two years, one would expect the 2014 midterm elections to be a vibrant moment of civic engagement, translating that activity into political power. But this year, that wasn't the case.

In every corner of the country there are examples of an active and engaged population pushing for change. The murders of Eric Garner in Staten Island and Mike Brown in Ferguson as well as countless others killed at the hands of police generated a new spirit of organizing affirming that black lives matter. LGBTQ issues are making dramatic advances and unheard of cultural leaps. Our cities are roiling with the fight for 15 and a rising tide to lift the minimum wage. More than 400,000 people turned out for climate justice this Fall in New York City to sway the UN discussion. Native and indigenous communities pledge to be Idle No More. Undocumented people have tirelessly faced down fear and placed their bodies in the way of buses to stop deportations. And the incredible stamina of the Moral Mondays movement in the face of attacks of voting rights and campaign finance laws refuses to wane.

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The impressive level of activity doesn't translate to incredible turnout for Democrats because the party's made it obvious that its first response to people's real issues, is to translate them into exit poll calculations.

It was on display in a short interaction between Hillary Clinton and a young woman in Iowa. When the woman introduced herself as a "Dreamer," Clinton cheered with a "yay!" But when she asked what Clinton thought of President deciding to continue deportations leading up to the elections, her response was most telling. Without looking at the young woman concerned for her loved ones, the presidential candidate said, "I think we have to elect more Democrats."

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The success or failure of the Democrats ought to be measured by the distance or proximity they have to the genuine efforts of the communities they've always considered locked-in voters. It will be in the moments when they stop to look the child of a parent in deportation proceedings in the eye or stand with the mother whose child was killed by police not just for the photo op but when its time for accountability. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/27307-democrats-lost-more-than-an-election-in-2014