A Broken System: Why We Need a Labor Party

Proposing a third-party in the United States and why it is necessary.

Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the presidency. Yet, instead of creating an effective opposition against fascism, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries openly admitted, “It’s their government. What leverage do we have? We are going to try to find bipartisan common ground on any issue.” This response is both infuriating and revealing. Rather than fulfilling their duty to defend democratic principles, Democrats have chosen to smile, promise bipartisanship, and effectively hand over power to a self-proclaimed dictator.

It’s now clearer than ever; it’s time for a plan B. Our democracy doesn’t deserve to crumble in silence.

We need a political party that truly represents the average American. My proposal is a Labor Party—one that isn’t focused on partisan divides but on addressing the shared struggles of working people. The messaging must transcend labels like “Democrat” or “Republican,” avoiding divisive rhetoric that alienates people. Instead, we must unite around a common enemy: billionaires, major corporations, and the forces that want to keep the status quo.

Our current system is broken and corrupt, and people across the political spectrum are angry. Republicans have weaponized this anger by promising change, even if it’s rooted in fascist policies. They capitalize on frustrations by targeting scapegoats like immigrants, falsely claiming that deportations will improve lives. In response, Democrats villainize these voters as hateful and racist (which they are) rather than addressing the deeper struggles that fuel their anger. People are living paycheck to paycheck, feeling hopeless, and being abused by late-stage capitalism, and Democrats are not offering an alternative.

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Why a Labor Party?

A Labor Party would focus on economic justice, understanding that the economy is what most voters care about. This party would concentrate on what resonates most—people’s livelihoods—while also addressing broader issues through equitable policies.

The party’s core principles would include:

• Fair wages

• Universal healthcare

• Affordable education

• Retirement security

• Tax fairness and corporate accountability

• Addressing Climate Change

But this isn't just a party for 9-to-5 workers. It’s for everyone who contributes to society: caregivers, students, retirees, and those unable to work due to illness or disability. Labor, at its heart, is about all forms of societal contribution. The focus would be on uplifting people, not just propping up corporations.

Historically, labor movements have secured benefits that everyone enjoys, like weekends, child labor laws, and minimum wage protections. By championing similar causes, this party could reframe the narrative away from socialism and toward pragmatism—emphasizing how markets and profits can coexist with protections for workers and social equality.

Credit: TIME

Addressing the Current System

While these policies are arguably what the Democratic Party stands for, their lack of action, shift to the right, inability to stray from the norms, and overall hypocrisy prove otherwise. There are many examples of this. They blocked AOC from being the minority leader of the oversight committee due to seniority. They refused to allow Bernie to run in 2016 and 2020, despite his policies being popular across both sides of the political spectrum. They say they fight for the working class while simultaneously letting celebrities and billionaires dominate their campaigns. They say they want to dismantle Citizens United while continuing to take millions from lobbyists like AIPAC and wealthy donors.

When opportunities for unity arise, Democrats often fail to seize them. Take Luigi Mangione, the alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer—his actions sparked rare common ground between the right and left. But instead of using this moment to push for universal healthcare, most Democrats remained silent, issuing only statements denouncing violence and emphasizing the importance of our police state. The party claims to support universal healthcare, but when the failures of the current system are laid bare for all to see, they offer no solutions.

It can also be argued that the Democratic institution is feckless. Look at the Republican Party—Republicans do whatever they want, even when they’re not in power. They exploit every loophole by filibustering, withholding unanimous consent, forcing quorum calls to obstruct and delay, and creating chaos at every turn. They fight against all odds, while Democrats refuse to fight at all.

While still in power, Democrats refused to conduct a recount despite Trump’s past election interference. They failed to appoint a U.S. attorney general who aggressively pursued justice for Trump’s crimes, allowing him to regain power, abuse the system, and declare himself above the law. They were silent when Trump tweeted about annexing our allies. And, on January 20th, 2025, they handed him the keys to power without challenge—and with a smile.

They aren’t protecting us, even though we voted for them to do exactly that. They cling to the status quo, believing the system will fix itself. But that’s not how this works. The system is broken and has led us straight toward fascism. Unless Democrats start using legal loopholes like Republicans, nothing will change, and we’ll continue our downward spiral. The status quo isn’t integrity—it’s weakness.

Democrats are controlled opposition, insulated from the real consequences everyday people face. They tell us to fight, but all I hear is that their hands are tied. If they won’t fight for us, we won’t fight for them. They can join us, but the days of blind allegiance are over. If we continue to let them disappoint us, our democracy will fall—and as Americans, we cannot let that happen.

Surrendering Democracy: The Party That Won’t Lead

Since his inauguration, Trump has declared himself king and disregarded every law. In response, the Democrats in Congress acted shocked, seemingly clueless about how to stop him. With the notable exceptions of AOC, Bernie Sanders, Jasmine Crockett, and Chris Murphy, most Democrats appear unwilling—or unable—to fight back. Republicans have provided a clear playbook for wielding power, both inside and outside of session. Yet Democrats refuse to use it.

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Republicans control the public narrative through the media, primarily via Trump. So why aren’t Democrats leveraging the people who could counteract that influence? Where are Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton—hell, even George W. Bush? None of them are currently in office, but they are still seen as leaders and would attract media attention. Yet they’ve disappeared. And if they refuse to step up, why haven’t Democrats found a new leader to be the face of the opposition? Even Mike Pence has been vocal in condemning Trump—specifically for excluding Ukraine from negotiations with Russia.

They insist they are defending democracy, yet they stand by as Elon Musk dismantles our government—illegally firing thousands of federal employees, gaining access to the Department of Treasury’s payment system, and eliminating entire agencies like USAID. Their excuse? They don’t have the majority to subpoena him.

When constituents urged them to act, they finally attempted to push back. On one occasion, they arrived at the Department of Education, where Musk’s team—private citizens—were illegally accessing government data. But rather than forcing their way in, Democrats simply approached Musk’s security, asked for entry, and were denied. That was it. Our elected officials gave up and went home. Why didn’t they bring their own security? Where was the National Guard? The police? Republicans would never have taken no for an answer.

Why aren’t Democrats rallying the thousands of illegally fired federal employees from agencies like the FBI, CIA, military, and Department of Energy? Other countries, in times of crisis, establish shadow governments to preserve stability. Or, look at South Korea: when their president declared martial law, members of parliament climbed fences to break into their own building and impeached him. They fought for their democracy while our politicians took four-day weekends. The lack of urgency in defending democracy is staggering.

Democrats are failing to protect the freedoms they were elected to uphold. Institutionalists like Pelosi and Schumer are too entrenched in the system to take bold action. Waiting for them to change their minds—or pass away—is not a luxury we can afford. They fight to preserve institutions, not to enact systemic change. If they won’t fight for us, then we can no longer fight for them.

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Transforming Our Current System

Fascism thrives on the destabilization of democratic norms and the exploitation of vulnerabilities within our democratic system—an alarming reality that has clearly unfolded in America. Without proper regulation, capitalism has allowed billionaires to exploit loopholes in the tax system, further deepening inequality. The enactment of Citizens United paved the way for unchecked corporate influence, eroding the foundations of democracy. Simultaneously, America's failure to hold the Confederacy accountable and provide reparations for the atrocities of slavery has perpetuated systemic injustices. Today, economic instability and political polarization have created fertile ground for authoritarianism. Trump's evasion of accountability serves as a glaring catalyst, exposing the fragility of our constitutional system, the dismantling of checks and balances, and the looming threat of centralized power.

But this is not a moment for defeatism. Fascism, with all the pain it will cause, can also serve as the catalyst for resistance and the restructuring of a broken political system. It is painful and unjust that so many must suffer for the broader population to recognize the need for change, but this recognition also fuels collective action. Now is the time to fight to ensure that the disaster does not spiral further, to confront injustice head-on, and to rebuild a democracy that is equitable, resilient, and reflective of its people. By resisting oppression and uniting against authoritarianism, we have the chance to reclaim and transform the systems that failed us.

Goals of a Labor Party

A Labor Party could channel bipartisan frustration into a message that emphasizes how fighting oligarchy benefits everyone—not just workers, but all Americans. This isn’t about aligning with Democrats or Republicans. It’s about dismantling corruption, combating misinformation, and fighting for democracy itself.

The party would advocate reallocating resources, such as addressing wasteful Pentagon spending, to benefit working-class Americans. Through progressive taxation, stronger regulations to prevent monopolies and support for unions, the Labor Party could offer tangible, systemic solutions.

Some specific goals for this Labor Party would include:

• Banning insider trading for public officials

• Non-millionaires can run for office

• Requiring transparency, like pay stubs, from candidates

• Overturning Citizens United to curb corporate influence

• Ensuring our new party is entirely crowd-funded

Credit: Campaign Legal Center

Overcoming the “Third-Party Splits the Votes” Narrative

We cannot continue to put hope in the Democratic Party. They are already losing. They have alienated the working class, lost the trust of their base, and shown no willingness to change. Their solution? To return to the failed system. Unfortunately, with this mindset, fascism will never be defeated. On the other side, Republicans are rightfully seen as a hate group, promoting division and hate under the guise of “traditional values.”

While other third-party groups like the Democratic Socialists or the Working Families Party share some of our ideas, their messaging misses the mark. The term “socialism” is still too polarizing in much of America, largely due to decades of propaganda. Similarly, names like the “Working Families Party” isolate key demographics—young voters, single people, and even upper-middle-class individuals who don’t identify as working-class, despite their shared struggles.

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I know what you’re thinking: “Third parties just split the vote.” Here’s our solution: we’ll begin by focusing our efforts on red districts—areas that have long been distrustful of the Democratic Party and have no interest in supporting it. These districts are fertile ground for building momentum, as the voters there are already dissatisfied with both major parties. This approach mirrors Bernie Sanders' “Anti-Oligarchy” tour, where he traveled to red states to engage disenfranchised voters. By starting in these areas, we can show that people across the political spectrum are ready for a new party. Additionally, we’ll avoid splitting votes in competitive swing districts where Democrats still have a chance to win in 2026. But, once the party is more mainstream, we can then expand into traditionally Democratic strongholds.

Instead of creating an entirely new system, why not just primary the Democrats who are not fulfilling their duties? The reality is that establishment Democrats won’t be easily voted out, and simply attempting to primary them isn’t enough. Historically, corporations have funneled money to establishment Democrats to ensure that no serious primary challenges arise against those they want in power.

The Democratic Party, as it stands, will never be free from corporate influence. While we can—and should—challenge establishment figures, we cannot expect them to willingly abandon the structures that keep them entrenched in power. These structures prioritize the interests of wealthy donors over the needs of everyday Americans, leaving little room for meaningful change.

The Labor Party will differentiate itself by rejecting corporate influence entirely. We will commit to systemic reforms that prioritize working people over the wealthy elite. This commitment isn’t just about challenging the status quo—it’s about dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality and building a new system that genuinely works for the people, not for corporate interests. This is how we create a movement rooted in integrity, accountability, and true representation.

Bringing Together Other Movements

In areas where we cannot directly run candidates, we will endorse those who align with our values, ensuring that we don’t split votes but instead offer support to individuals who are committed to the changes we seek. Additionally, we will challenge incumbents who are not aligned with our platform, pushing for primary challenges where necessary. We will work to bring together smaller movements like the Green New Deal, Indivisible, MoveOn, and Democratic Socialists to strengthen our cause. Collaboration with local unions is key to building momentum. We need leaders like Bernie Sanders, AOC, Katie Porter, and Jasmine Crocket, who have shown a commitment to fighting for working people. By uniting these groups, we can amplify our collective power and create a more effective political force that will challenge the status quo.

This isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a call for action. We need our own Project 2025 to lay out a clear plan for dismantling our corrupt system. We need people—teachers who understand the value of education, accountants who can ensure financial transparency, web designers who can build a digital presence, marketers who can spread the message, data analysts who can help guide policy decisions, and lawyers who understand the Constitution. Everyone has a role to play. We need to help each other build a true third party, and not on behalf of the Republicans and Democrats, but for ourselves.

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Starting Locally

The Labor Party movement must begin at the local level. This bottom-up approach is what made the MAGA movement so successful. They’ve targeted rural areas with propaganda and ensured that their candidates are present in every election, big or small. Democrats, on the other hand, often neglect these smaller races, leaving the door open for others to take control. MAGA supporters have strategically placed their people in key positions, like election judges and voting officials. They’ve also influenced gerrymandering to ensure that voting districts are drawn in their favor. To counter this, we must be just as involved in the details—emphasizing our working-class narrative and goals. We need to ensure that our presence is felt from local races all the way to the national stage. Then, to expand beyond locally, we will need to do our own version of Project 2025.

Ultimately, the more people who realize they’ve been exploited and join the fight against these systems, the stronger our movement will become. The sooner we unite against oligarchs and corruption, the sooner we can regain our democracy.

Avoiding Hypocrisy of Both Parties

Both major parties have repeatedly betrayed the trust of the American people. Republicans claim to be dismantling the "deep state" while simultaneously giving tax cuts to the wealthy. Meanwhile, when the Democrats controlled the House, Senate, and presidency, they failed to pass even basic measures, such as increasing the federal minimum wage—a policy supported by most Americans. This failure isn’t simply a matter of incompetence; it's a reflection of their ties to corporate PACs and big-money interests, which undermine their ability to govern in the people’s best interest.

To counter this hypocrisy, the Labor Party will hold itself to a higher standard of accountability. Unlike the established parties, we will practice what we preach. A key part of our platform is overturning Citizens United—the disastrous Supreme Court ruling that opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate money to influence elections. This ruling effectively drowned out the voices of everyday citizens. To ensure our movement is free from the corrupting influence of dark money, anyone who joins the Labor Party must commit to rejecting corporate donations and PAC funding. All funding will be crowdsourced, ensuring that our resources come from the people, not from corporate interests.

Additionally, candidates for the Labor Party will be required to publicly disclose their pay stubs, financial statements, and any potential conflicts of interest. This will ensure that elected officials are not using their position for personal gain or manipulating the system for financial advantage. We will also ban insider trading among our members. Insider trading undermines public trust in government, as it allows politicians to profit off their inside knowledge rather than making decisions based on the needs of their constituents. By banning this practice, we will level the playing field and ensure that our leaders prioritize the public good over personal wealth.

We will not compromise on these principles, nor will we allow our members to circumvent them through loopholes. By holding ourselves to these high standards, we demonstrate our commitment to building a system where power truly belongs to the people. We will practice what we preach—transparency, integrity, and accountability will be the foundation of our movement.

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Messaging for the Labor Party

One of the key areas where the Democratic Party fails, and the Republican Party excels, is in delivering a clear and cohesive message. Democrats lack a unified vision. They scream about fascism—which is accurate—but provide no solution beyond maintaining the status quo. Meanwhile, Republicans, despite spreading misinformation and hate, control the narrative. They give people a reason to be angry, even if that anger is misguided (e.g., blaming immigrants for systemic issues).

To counter this, the Labor Party must craft a clear, compelling message that not only redirects this anger but also provides hope for a better future. We must combat misinformation and disinformation directly, exposing the lies and manipulations of both major parties. This effort will require a "war room" strategy—leveraging media attention, podcasts, and digital platforms to spread our message. Influential voices like Hasan Piker have successfully called out the true issues in society, showing why people are angry with America’s broken systems and motivating them to demand change. The Labor Party will amplify this approach, calling out the hypocrisies of both parties and presenting a real alternative.

Our execution plan involves utilizing digital media, targeted outreach, and grassroots organizing to build a powerful movement. We will hold town halls, events, and community-driven initiatives to connect with people directly, proving that the Labor Party represents their interests and is the true force for change. By combining innovative communication strategies with ground-level engagement, we will inspire hope, foster unity, and chart a course toward a brighter future for all.

Putting Up a True Fight Against Fascism

One of the reasons Republicans are succeeding is their willingness to abandon decorum and play dirty. They use gerrymandering, voter suppression, and misinformation campaigns to consolidate power. Meanwhile, despite labeling Republicans as fascists (which they undeniably are), Democrats continue to call for "decorum" and avoid taking real action. For example, Republicans have made it clear that they want to dismantle Medicaid, regardless of the human cost. Representative Al Green stood up during the State of the Union to challenge President Trump's administration, telling him, "You have no mandate" to cut vital programs. Instead of standing in solidarity with Green, who was standing up against fascism, Democrats reprimanded him for breaking decorum. Ten Democrats even voted with Republicans to censure him for protesting during Trump’s address.

While Republicans push forward with their dangerous agenda, Democrats opt for performative gestures—like wearing coordinated pink shirts and holding signs that say “Protect Veterans” at the State of the Union. Let’s be clear: signs do not protect veterans, and performative politics do not protect our democracy. These empty displays highlight a deeper issue with the Democratic Party’s approach—they prioritize optics over real action. The fight against fascism demands bold, systemic change, but establishment Democrats have repeatedly shown they are unwilling or unable to take the necessary steps to address inequality, corruption, and injustice.

The Labor Party will not follow in the footsteps of the establishment. If Republicans play dirty, we will fight fire with fire—but our actions will be rooted in transparency and accountability. We will not hide behind empty platitudes or vague accusations. We will call out politicians and corporations directly for their harmful actions, naming names when necessary. The Labor Party will not fight fascism with decorum. Instead, we will shine a light on the corruption in both major parties and challenge it head-on. Real opposition isn’t just possible—it’s necessary.

Credit: ACLU of New York

A Call for Action: It’s Time to Fight

A Labor Party—not the Democratic Party—is essential in the fight against fascism because it provides clear and unwavering opposition to authoritarianism, corruption, and inequality. Fascism thrives where economic disparities are extreme, political power is concentrated in the hands of a few, and dissent is suppressed. The Labor Party aims to dismantle these conditions by championing policies that prioritize economic justice, protect civil liberties, and foster inclusivity.

By advocating for universal healthcare, affordable education, workers' rights, and environmental justice, the Labor Party directly counters the divisive rhetoric and policies used by fascist movements to scapegoat marginalized communities and consolidate power. Rather than merely reacting to the symptoms of fascism, this progressive movement addresses its root causes—inequality and oppression—creating a political landscape where authoritarian ideologies cannot flourish.

In these turbulent times, building a progressive political force is not just an option—it is a necessity. A Labor Party committed to defending democracy, safeguarding human rights, and confronting fascist ideologies head-on can offer the systemic change needed to ensure a just and equitable society.

To the DNC: thoughts and prayers. You’ll need them.

Like Democrats say, “We must stay in the fight. Every one of us.” We may not continue to fight for the Democrats, but we will start to fight for us.

The only way forward is hope for a better future. Some may call forming a new party unrealistic or delusional, but we must choose to remain “delusional” and keep fighting—because what do we have to lose? Fascism cannot be stopped with our current structure, and we can’t afford to give up. They want us to be scared, to accept whatever crumbs they offer us. But we must stand firm. It’s not just about us—it’s about our children and the future of this country.