To the Journal editor:

Democrats outspent Republicans at the presidential level by a substantial margin. What happened? Trump may end up under 50 percent on the vote tally. Hardly a mandate, but the trouble with an eroding base lies far further within. Ninety percent of all counties in the U.S. moved further right this cycle. Hand wringing won’t move the rock of democracy forward

The growing minority demographic was completely misread and the immigration issue was badly fumbled. A Texas border district, 97 percent Hispanic, flipped red for the first time since 1896. Crime, increasing homelessness, housing costs, interest rates, groceries etc. are legitimate concerns to many. Democratic messaging talked over their heads adding to the elite moniker they’ve been tagged with. Democrats pushing the renewable effort with the cart so far in front of the renewable infrastructure horse is counterproductive.

We need new mining, manufacturing, more nuclear, and a massive amount of new electrical grid in order to advance the cause. Ironically, that effort is being hamstrung by anti-foreign fervor, environmentalists, and NIMBYs blocking efforts at every major turn. The progressive train also got too aggressive, alienating even more of the base. Most importantly, the growing urban vote shifted right this cycle. A vote that heretofore had helped turn a few red states purple as a diverse workforce flocked there to man the work opportunities presented.

While I was on the N.I.C.E. school board in the early 2000s, we tried to revitalize our mostly fallow VOC ED wing to help accommodate a large local and nationwide projected shortfall in CTE workers and skilled tradesmen. Good grades in this program would garner credits at NMU. It was a tough sled to fill the class.

Sadly, the seeds had been planted far earlier that a four-year degree was the correct path forward for all of our youth. To that end, countless jobs also came to require a BA for no valid reason, furthering the base erosion. Times have changed. By 2021, 50 percent of IBM’s U.S. workforce no longer required a four-year degree. Sixteen states have followed suit. Skill sets (ever changing), ability, and ambition are gaining back what never should have been taken away.

Without question, a high school diploma is not sufficient to live well. Our country is roughly 62 percent/38 percent non-BA versus college BA or higher. A substantial portion of the 62 percent had been a steadfast component of the democratic party, helping lead, and grow, our country in its most prosperous decades. They build and help run the country. They always will. The 38 percent are needed every bit as much. Particularly in the STEM and medical fields. We also need educationally qualified people to pass the baton of knowledge forward. It does take a village.

The political pendulum is no longer centered. It’s been slowly moving right for a long time. The neutral point is now planted right of center due to Democrats woeful reading of the tea leaves. Reproductive rights helped carry the day in 2020 and 2022. It was bound to run out of steam, especially with all the state initiatives. It did.

To claw back the former center, democrats must first address the eroded foundational issues which caused the breach. I certainly share the concerns and fears of what we now face, but arrogantly dismissing the kernels of truth found in many republican positions only exacerbates the growing divide.

The good of the last four years was overshadowed enough that voters sadly threw the baby out with the bath water. I voted to throw the bath water out instead. Democrats need to get the baby back. It won’t happen on the current trajectory.