Abstract

Juliet Schor

The article focuses on changes needed within the United States Democratic Party. On November 2, 2004, half the voting public supported a President who would be sending their sons and daughters to die in an imperial quagmire, handing over their hard-earned Social Security contributions to his scandal-ridden Wall Street cronies, blocking access to cheaper prescription drugs and accelerating the catastrophe of global warming. Republicans have steadily consolidated their control of the electoral process. That said, Democrats must also gain ground on authenticity (character) and quality of life (culture). On culture, it is not "god, guns and gays" the Democrats should address but the quality-of-life issues that cross the right-left divide--excessive working hours, loss of community, commercialized childhood and rampant materialism. Eighty-five percent of Americans believe society's priorities are "out of whack," and they are not all in blue states. But to be authentic on these issues Democrats need to give up corporate money and remake themselves as the party of small donations.