Plan B – If Democrats Aren’t Doing Anything Behind the Scenes

As of right now, we have no idea if Democrats are working behind the scenes to save our democracy. While I’ll hold onto a semblance of hope until January 20th, if nothing changes by then, I’m done supporting a party that fails to take action in the face of fascism and repeatedly prioritizes the status quo over systemic change. But this isn't about giving up on our democracy—it's about finding a Plan B.

We need a political party that truly represents the average American. Our democracy doesn’t deserve to crumble in silence. 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 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 and feeling hopeless. The real enemy isn’t immigrants or Republicans (though they are currently a problem)—it’s the billionaires and corporations hoarding wealth at the expense of everyday people.

Why a Labor Party?

A Labor Party would focus on economic justice, understanding that the economy is what most voters care about. Millions of Americans don’t prioritize issues like racism, women’s rights, or even democracy, as unfortunate as that is. This party would concentrate on what resonates most—people’s livelihoods—while also subtly 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

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.

Addressing the Current System

While these policies are arguably what the Democratic Party stands for, their lack of action and movement toward the right has proven otherwise. For example, they blocked AOC from the oversight committee due to seniority, and they refused to allow Bernie to run in 2016 and 2020, despite his policies being popular across both sides of the political spectrum. When opportunities for unity arise, Democrats often fail to seize them. Take Luigi, 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 (with the notable exceptions of AOC and Bernie) remain silent, issuing only statements denouncing violence. 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. They do not position themselves as fighters for working-class people while billionaires dominate their campaigns.

Institutionalists like Pelosi and Schumer are entrenched in the system, and waiting for them to change their minds or pass away isn’t 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.

Furthermore, Democrats are failing to stand up for democracy or protect the freedoms they were elected to uphold. They didn’t conduct a recount despite Trump’s interference in past elections. They haven’t installed a Department of Justice that aggressively pursues justice for Trump’s actions, including stealing national security documents and potentially selling them to adversaries. They’ve allowed Trump, an insurrectionist, to tweet about annexing our allies, threaten our freedom of speech, and advocate for dismantling our national security. And yet, the Democrats remain silent. They’re handing him the keys to power without challenge. They aren’t doing anything to protect us, even though we voted for them to do exactly that. Democrats cling to the status quo, believing the system will somehow fix itself. But that’s not how it works. Our system is broken and has led us toward fascism. Unless we exploit legal loopholes as Republicans do, nothing will change, and we’ll continue our downward spiral into fascism. The status quo is not integrity; it’s weakness.

Democrats are controlled opposition, insulated from the real consequences that everyday people face. They tell us to fight, but all I hear is silence. 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 an American, we cannot let that happen.

Unity Beyond the Two-Party System and a Path Forward

Unity cannot happen within our current two-party system. For many Republicans, the terms “Democrat” and “socialist” have become slurs, and for many Democrats, Republicans are seen as the enemy. We can no longer afford to be trapped in this binary. What we need is something new, something that transcends party lines—an approach that brings people together around shared struggles and hopes for a better future.

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 Labor Party would channel bipartisan anger toward the true culprits: oligarchs and unchecked corporate greed. The party would hammer home messages like:

• “This is what happens when you give tax cuts to the rich—they don’t care about you.”

• “Every dollar hoarded by billionaires could improve lives, fund public goods, or tackle crises like climate change.”

• “Extreme wealth concentration isn’t just unethical—it’s destabilizing society.”

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.

A Labor Party could offer hope by addressing the root causes of inequality and channeling bipartisan frustration into a movement that truly represents the people. It’s time to build a future that works for everyone.

Billionaire Myth-Busting

Critics may argue that billionaires earn their wealth through hard work, but the truth is more complicated:

• Billionaires rely on workers, public infrastructure, and societal systems to amass wealth.

• Many exploit loopholes, avoid taxes, and underpay employees while opposing unions.

• Philanthropy, while helpful, often allows billionaires to dodge taxes and maintain control over wealth that could fund democratically decided public programs.

Billionaires fund campaigns, lobby for favorable policies, and dominate markets, undermining democracy. Their extreme wealth creates vast disparities in opportunities and power, destabilizing society in the long run.

Building from the Ground Up

This movement wouldn’t align with Democrats or Republicans but would focus on coalition-building for working-class Americans. We need our own Project 2025 to lay out a clear plan for dismantling our corrupt system. For too long, groups like the Heritage Foundation and Republicans have been eroding our democracy, starting with the Reagan era. To change this, we must run for office at the local level, focusing on building support from the ground up. Collaboration with local unions is key to building momentum, as third parties have failed before by neglecting this grassroots approach. That’s why we must work with progressives like Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Katie Porter, who have shown a commitment to fighting for working people.

Some call the r/somethingiswrong2024 movement delusional for hoping that Democrats are working behind the scenes to save our democracy. And, if it turns out they are, I will continue to be a Democrat—and I’ll be a more outspoken one, fighting for real change within the party. However, if that hope fails us, we must choose to remain “delusional” and keep fighting—because what do we have to lose? 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.