Democrats win not by defending what is, but by fighting for what could be. This is particularly important now. A majority of voters who thought they were faring better voted Democratic in this election, rewarding Democrats for the low unemployment and rising wages of the last year. But this should set off alarms, not celebrations. The U.S. economy is already slowing.
Profits are down, layoffs are up.
We're losing manufacturing jobs. Families are spending more than they are earning. The trade deficit is headed to record levels, and U.S. workers are threatened by a flood of cheap goods coming this way. Embrace of the status quo in a time of change is a recipe for defeat. Democrats must push a bold agenda to defend working people in the global economic crisis - or pay the price in 2000.