In the long run, the success of a political movement depends on doing something of consequence. Progressives must step to the plate with real proposals again. For years now, Democrats have been downsizing our policy agenda. Instead of universal health coverage, Democrats have focused on patients' protections. Instead of recruiting the vast new corps of teachers our schools desperately need, Democrats have settled for a modest 30,000 new teachers.
Democrats risk becoming conspirators in support of the status quo.
Democrats should find no reassurance in winning half of the votes cast by the 37 percent of voters who turned out in November. It was great to see such progressives as Wisconsin's Russ Feingold and California's Barbara Boxer win elections. But don't lose sight of the 63 percent hole in the electorate nationwide. When almost two-thirds of eligible voters choose not to vote, something is seriously wrong. The non-voters are telling us they are disillusioned with their choices.