The people of Massachusetts spoke, the nation watched, and now the Democrats need to listen to the voters: Business as usual is no longer acceptable.
In the immediate aftermath, the pundits breathlessly placed much of blame at the feet of Martha Coakley and her campaign team — and with good reason. But it would be foolish to ignore that a major reason a Democrat didn't win the seat formerly held by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is because the Democratic Party has lost touch with the concerns of the majority of voters in Massachusetts.
The level of dissatisfaction among independent voters and moderate Democrats is very real, as Tuesday's results proved. We are at great risk of losing even more ground this November unless the Democratic Party immediately refocuses its attention on fixing our economy, restoring confidence in our political process, and addressing the tax policies that aren't working for the middle-class, our families and our small businesses.
It might surprise many that Democrats represent only 37 percent of registered voters in Massachusetts. The largest group of voters, 50 percent, consider themselves independent voters and belong to no party. For far too long, the Democratic Party has taken for granted that these independent voters would vote for Democrats, simply because they live in a blue state.
This election should serve as a reminder to all elected officials that we must earn every vote by focusing on the issues that matter most to all of us: jobs, taxes, and accountability. In the words of President Kennedy, "Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer."
Unfortunately, our economy has been slow to recover and many families still feel they are at the breaking point. Experts say that this is a jobless recovery, which for most, is no recovery at all. Therefore, we need to ensure that every tax dollar is aimed at preserving and creating new jobs. Democrats must lead the way by investing in our infrastructure, forging creative partnerships with the private sector, and educating and retraining our work force, so that all citizens are prepared for the jobs of the future.
As a party, Democrats must strive to strike a better balance between what people pay in taxes and what they receive in return. Taxpayers, who feel nickel-and-dimed by government, are paying far more of their hard earned dollars for fewer services, while special interests and wasteful programs continue to receive more and more. We must keep our state affordable for working families, seniors, and those just entering the work force. Democrats must realize that they cannot tax themselves into a recovery because we are reaching a point where the private sector can no longer afford to subsidize the public sector and vice-versa.
Let us heed the words of one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson: "a government big enough to give you everything you need, is a government big enough to take everything you have."
Some of our leaders have lost the confidence of the people they were sworn to serve. Criminal behavior, back-room deals, and lack of true accountability have disenfranchised the voters and left them with a destructive and cynical view toward government. Well-funded special interest groups have taken over the agenda, serving only themselves, not the greater good. We must set a standard that restores faith in the political process and shines the light on the way business is now conducted on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill.
The road ahead is rough and rutted for all citizens of the commonwealth. Democrats must seize the opportunity to lead the way, proving to voters that we are the party to create jobs, keep taxes and health care affordable, and restore the public trust in our government.
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State Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, represents the 1st Essex District.
