Dear Democratic Party,

After voting the Democratic Party ticket all my life, I realize our salvation lies in a mass movement of the people. Many leading Democrats have lost touch with our citizens, listen to their corporate sponsors, and reside in upper class silos. 

We have waited too long for fair taxes where rich people and corporations pay their share. We have waited to receive universal healthcare. We have waited for a national minimum wage so citizens don’t work multiple jobs and numerous hours to afford food and shelter. We have waited for women’s rights, particularly the right to abortion and control over our own bodies.

There are good, ethical members of your party, among them Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Van Hollen, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Representative Al Green. Let them lead the way. 

For years, the Republicans advertised their strategies of packing local politics via everything from school boards to state legislatures to governorships. The Democrats put their money into national elections and advocated “Neo-liberal” economic policies which pandered to their wealthy donors. No wonder Democrats lost to Trump due to ignoring worker rights and citizen needs, and abandoning the social safety net. Many Democratic politicians are wealthy oligarchs, pandering to large corporations and divorced from their constituents. They have abandoned the popularity and politics of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

It is time for the Democratic Party to get back to its roots in democracy. Listen to your constituents and their needs. Legislate against Citizens United, repeal the Patriot Act, eliminate the electoral college. Enshrine the right to abortion nationwide. 

Limit the power of the executive branch that has been expanded by the current Supreme Court. Improve worker rights including raising the national minimum wage, advocating for safe work conditions, and outlawing non-compete clauses that stifle the ability to change jobs for better salaries or work conditions. 

Change laws about funding for political campaigns. No dark money. The amount of money that can be contributed by one person or company to a party or political candidate should be sharply limited. Limits should also be put on when political campaigns can begin so candidates don’t spend millions just to get elected. Matching donations by the government should be offered to politicians who get many signatures, or many small donations, for their candidacy. 

If the Democratic Party can’t change, the people will – and we will start another national party. One that listens and is genuinely concerned for the welfare of our nation and our people.