Based on the results of surveys which indicate that its taxing and spending plans are popular, the left insists that it is winning the war of ideas. That does not, however, translate into winning elections. The public may approve of the individual programs, but it doesn’t trust the messengers. That is the reason, for example, that Florida voted for Trump and a large minimum wage increase.
So what should the left do? Here are some ideas:
- STOP CALLING IT SOCIALISM: Millions of Americans associate “socialism” with totalitarian leaders or with some form of political correctness run amok. Either way, it is a huge vote loser with everyone but millennials who are going to vote for you, anyway. Avoid the label like the plague; based on the textbook definition, you aren’t really a socialist, anyway.
- TAKE THE CULTURE WAR ISSUES SERIOUSLY: Left-leaning politicians rarely deign to acknowledge the importance and legitimacy of culture war issues to large segments of the population. Dismissing Christianity as a form of “false consciousness,” talking about “defunding the police,” and complaining about voters who put identity and values issues over their economic self-interest doesn’t win elections outside of bright blue districts. Values and identity concerns have to be addressed openly and frankly in red and purple jurisdictions. Make it clear that you care vastly more about affordable health care than bathrooms for transgender people.