BRATTLEBORO-David Hogg (of Parkland, Florida fame) has been making waves as vice chair of the National Democratic Party.
Like many of us, he's noticed that his party has long underperformed relative to the popularity of its purported positions. One might have expected Dems to have indulged in some serious soul searching long before this moment of crisis.
Unfortunately, the powers that have kept our Congress in check for most of my lifetime, making sure that issues relating human and environmental well-being don't gain too much traction, have been difficult to shake (as though we all don't share this same unique jewel of a planet).
Republicans have been doing a better job of asserting power (such a good job that many seem to be having some buyers' remorse).
Even when Democrats had the House, the Senate, and the White House, they seemed too hogtied by their corporate sponsors to pass legislation that would be wildly popular, such as voting rights, universal health care, or a minimum wage that at least keeps up with inflation.
David calls for the Democratic Party to find candidates to mount primary challenges against the incumbents who have safe seats and yet still find themselves incapable of doing anything that might make waves. It is a direct attack against the status quo.
With the public's clear interest in disrupting the status quo, those who have been compromised by the lure of money and power might soon be known as the "irrelevant wing of the Democratic Party."
We will see how the voters respond if they have more (better?) choices.
Fric Spruyt
Brattleboro
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