If you listened closely as Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker walked away from the podium after his victory speech, you could almost hear the American Left’s vitality being snuffed out.
Already down, the conservative victory dealt a major blow to the leftist movement in this country, which has been trying so hard to become relevant again in the national debate.
Now conservatives are back on the offensive with a new wave of momentum to ride into the general election in November.
With the emergence of liberal movements last year such as the Wisconsin protests and Occupy Wall Street, it was easy to be lulled into thinking that Leftism was resurging in American politics. But Occupy Wall Street has died down and the recall election sealed the deal for the Wisconsin movement.
The Left now finds itself in a familiar position of being relegated to the sidelines as a fringe voice drowned out by the majority.
It’s unsurprising that the Left is struggling so much today. Modern American politics have consistently been further to the right than similar countries around the world.
Here, the terms “liberal” and “Leftist” are regarded as insults in some circles, and the modern American Leftist hero is likely considered to be President Obama, who is, at best, a centrist politician.
This same “darling of the Left” has been responsible for an ongoing drone war overseas that has cost several innocent civilian lives, a health care reform bill that sold out the public option to pharmaceutical companies and subsidized insurance companies by forcing citizens to become their customers, and a civil liberties record that may be more atrocious than his predecessor’s.
And therein lies the problem: Leftists have allowed themselves to fall under the umbrella of the Democratic party.
The Democratic party is viewed as the “party of the Left” in the United States, drawing in votes from left-leaning citizens as it is the only major party that can compete with the right-leaning Republicans. However, the Democratic party is made up mostly of centrists and even those who are center-right on the political spectrum.
The result is that the Left is not being represented by our government.
Just take a look at the last decade of American governance.
Where was the Left’s voice in Congress when we were brought into unnecessary and costly wars twice? Where was the Left’s voice when the Patriot Act was passed? Where is the Left today as President Obama erodes civil liberties domestically and kills civilians around the world in drone strikes? It’s about time for a new strategy.
The Left must first cut its ties with the Democratic party. The party has done little to serve the Left’s interests, and with every scandal involving a Democrat, Leftism becomes tainted in the eyes of those averted to its causes. By abandoning the party, left-leaning Americans can truly attempt to have a stronger voice in the government. The Left must also be up front and honest with the country.
Unions were the big issue in Wisconsin during the recall election. If Leftists can admit that some unions have become hierarchical, bureaucratic and corrupt, they can help stem the flow of anti-union sentiment in America and work to return unions to a cause about workers rights – not a way to get cozy with politicians in exchange for benefits.
However, the strongest way in which the Left can find a place in American politics is by focusing on personal freedom and limiting government power.
These are issues that can resonate with many Americans, including conservatives. And, brushing aside economic issues, the Left has plenty of allies in these causes. Leftists can find much in common with Libertarians and centrists in regards to civil liberties, military spending and opposition to foreign wars.
If the Left fails to bounce back, it may once again find itself fallen by the wayside of American politics.
Yet, a revitalized Leftist movement can help start a serious political discussion, and this country could use a real debate.
David Scheuermann is a 20-year-old mass communication and computer science sophomore from Kenner. Follow him on Twitter at @TDR_dscheu.
 
____ Contact David Scheuermann at [email protected]