Readers Say

“Learn how you can help working people succeed in today’s economy,” one participant said.

harshly column inside Boston Globe On Sunday, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders issued an ultimatum of sorts to the Democratic party: “Either you stand with our country’s powerful oligarchy, or you stand with the working class. “You cannot represent both.” Boston.com readers overwhelmingly agree.

Vermont senator says Democrats “abandonedThe working class failed to see the anger of many that “the very rich are getting richer”. In doing so, Sanders said the party was ceding the 2024 elections to Donald Trump, who capitalized on this anger.

“In my view, Democrats lost this election because they ignored the righteous anger of working class America and became defenders of a rigged economic and political system,” he wrote.

In fact, Donald Trump’s influence among voters was evident even in liberal stronghold states like Massachusetts. Reliable Democrat since 1928.

Despite Harris’ victory in the Commonwealth, Trump was popular In large areas of Plymouth, Bristol, Worcester and Hampden counties. The town he won most definitely was Acushnet with 72% of the votes. Trump garnered 60 percent or more of the vote in Granville, Blandford, Berkley, Phillipston and Wales.

While the geography of Trump’s support remained virtually the same between 2020 and 2024, his margins of victory were generally larger in the towns he won in that election and closer to him in the towns he lost.

Many Democrats across the country failed to turn out to vote at the same rate as in 2020, a study found. New York Times analysis of election data.

The counties where Democrats had their biggest victories in 2020 cast 1.9 million fewer votes for Kamala Harris than they did for Joe Biden. Meanwhile, the nation’s most Republican-heavy counties gave Trump another 1.2 million votes this year, according to an analysis of 47 counties where vote counting is largely complete.

Boston.com readers overwhelmingly agreed with Sanders’ statement that the Democratic party needed a shake-up. Of the more than 350 respondents to our survey, 97 percent said the Democratic party needs to change.

Sanders called on Democrats to fight for a range of “working-class priorities” ranging from a $17-per-hour federal minimum wage to Social Security reforms, universal health care, free tuition at public universities, affordable child care, low-income and affordable housing. a progressive tax system that would force the nation’s wealthiest individuals to “start paying their fair share.”

Many Boston.com readers cited these issues as among the priorities they would like the party to undertake, along with more structural changes and other reforms.

Below, readers share the changes they would like to see the Democratic party advance.

Answers have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

What changes would you like the Democratic party to make?

‘Fight for everyday Joe like me’

“Livable wages, affordable housing, universal healthcare, free education, etc. Bernie is 100% right; The Democrats abandoned the working class and that’s why Trump won.” – PC, Somerville

“I agree with Bernie on this one. I’m old enough to remember when blue collar workers and workers, unions and downtowns were all Democrats. I think working people are right to think that the Democratic party is doing nothing to help them with the high cost of living and healthcare for all but the very wealthy. Trump won’t do anything for workers either, but I think they fell for his promises that things would be different under his administration. “I think the Democratic party needs to take a hard look in the mirror and try to figure out how it can help working people succeed in today’s economy.” – Jennifer, Peabody

“The democratic agenda should seek to address economic issues that affect the average worker or retiree, such as the national minimum wage and additional coverage under Medicare, including dental and hearing aids. “The Democratic party continues to emphasize identity politics and other issues that party elites propagate at their own peril.” – Chris, West Roxbury

“Stand honestly with the working class and ensure the necessary changes are made to achieve progressive taxation. The rich in this country already have so much!” – Susanna K., Cambridge

“Fight for the regular Joe like me. I live paycheck to paycheck in Vermont. Focus more on all issues (no matter just Trump or whoever the candidate is).” – Steven J., Essex, Vermont

‘It is time for a radical change in the party leadership’

“I agree with Sanders; Democrats have abandoned their core values ​​in the hope of appealing to the legendary ‘liberal Republican’. Democrats handed the election to Trump because of their arrogance and disdain for the American people. “It is time for a major change in the leadership of the party.” – Mike, Lincoln

“The party needs to tap into the talent pool for the true charismatic rainmakers of the next generation (e.g., Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg, Jeff Jackson, Kamala Harris, and even Republicans like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger). “These are the future of America, these are the people we need to support.” – Conor L., Boston

“It is time for parties to forget about the electoral college and elect or appoint a qualified candidate with a resume that belies excellence and a deep understanding of legal, economic, defense and leadership excellence. “Going backwards is not the solution, we need to move forward and change the current structure of electing a leader to govern the country.” – Tay, Salisbury

“They just need to fire the DNC (leadership). “Two conscious elections were lost because the DNC force fed us candidates instead of polling the base.” – Steve, Brighton

‘Stop pushing identity politics’

“The party has become beholden to fringe elements who espouse views that are not in line with the average American; This is why Trump won the popular vote. People were not and are not fooled by his rhetoric, but many of the positions put forward by the Democratic leadership are not compatible with the thinking of Americans and American workers. This led some to vote for Trump and many more to stay home out of disgust; “The vote totals compared to previous elections prove this.” – Richard G., Dorchester

“Act in the interests of the vast majority in the middle, not the agenda of the far left. “Remember that the majority votes for their wallet first, then for security.” – Otis, Boston

“Stop pushing identity politics. Address the border issue with a solution instead of hate. “Recognize that the economy is not working for many Americans and offer a solution.” – John P., Boston

“Stop catering to liberal and progressive issues like transgender issues, DEI, increased taxation to fund bigger government, etc. Instead focus on budget issues like the economy, inflation, and out-of-control immigration.” – Jeff, Framingham

‘Listen to the voices of your voters’

“The Democratic Party needs to wake up and listen to its voters! Stop showing graphs and statistics showing low employment and a great economy when just two years ago a gallon of milk was $3.50 and now it’s $7! People don’t want to see charts, they want corporate greed to be stopped so they can afford to buy food. They want universal healthcare so they don’t have to file for bankruptcy because of medical bills. “They need to be able to afford housing and child care.” – Susan S., Scituate

“Suggestion to Democrats: Go meet Trump voters and non-voters and listen to what they have to say. Really listen. It may take some time. “Only then will you be able to create a game plan to win back voters.” – Michael, Concord

“I think it’s really simple. “The Democratic party needs to start listening to what we think instead of telling us what to think.” – Bill, Brighton

Boston.com occasionally engages with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as a non-scientific measure of readers’ opinions.

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Annie Jonas is a Community writer for Boston.com. He was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelance writer for the Financial Times.

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