By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Pete Buttigieg suggests that Democrats should critically examine the public sector, even as they oppose Trump’s dismantling of government institutions. He acknowledges that the rapid expansion of federal programs under the Biden administration may have been a mistake, contributing to public distrust. Buttigieg believes that Democrats need to move beyond simply restoring the status quo and should instead focus on reforming government to be more efficient and accountable. This perspective aligns with the need to address the loss of trust in public institutions and prevent the reinforcement of a false choice between too much and too little government.
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Buttigieg is right: Democrats must reinvent government after Trump, but the path forward requires a deep reckoning. Corporations aren’t people, and the realization that they are treated as such is just the first step in a much-needed overhaul. The landscape has shifted dramatically. The Democrats of 2016 were fractured, with differing views on the state of the institutions. Some saw minor flaws, others advocated for significant reform, and still others believed the system was fundamentally broken. Trump’s actions have, ironically, eliminated any pretense of stability, leaving the remaining institutions in a weakened state ripe for either rebuilding or complete replacement.
We can’t simply return to the way things were. The system is old and needs modernization, but there’s a real concern that any new framework would be twisted and exploited by those in power, regardless of party affiliation. The risks of further abuse are real. The current checks and balances have proven insufficient to prevent the erosion of democratic principles. The Department of Justice, for example, must not be beholden to political whims. It’s time for genuine structural reform, not just moderate adjustments. The focus needs to be on accountability and safeguarding democracy.
Acknowledging the need for change is the easy part. The difficulty lies in the execution, especially considering the tendency towards inaction. Democrats, often accused of being too slow to adapt to changing information consumption habits and cultural shifts, are frequently perceived as overly attached to a status quo that no longer serves. A constitutional amendment to address Citizens United would be a crucial start, and it’s crucial to legislative government to plug all the loopholes the opposing party have exploited. The government requires an “anti-cheat engine,” and the enforcement branches require capabilities independent of the executive.
The reality is that norms of governance have been discarded, and anything is now possible. Democrats must embrace their duty to safeguard against tyranny. They need to stand up for the marginalized and oppressed and be willing to completely reinvent the government. Buttigieg’s comments highlight this shift in thinking, advocating for change within existing structures, while also acknowledging that merely patching things up won’t suffice. We need to plan, to strategize, and be willing to think outside the box.
The challenge, however, is bridging the gap between rhetoric and action. Democrats must move beyond platitudes and address the core issues of economic inequality and corporate influence. As an independent, I would vote for change. We need more voices like the ones championing bold action, not establishment figures. To truly make a difference, Democrats need to ditch the corporate donors and recommit to supporting unions. Democrats have to show their commitment to the people.
If Democrats do regain power, they must wield it decisively. Incrementalism won’t cut it. The current climate demands a willingness to break norms and challenge the entrenched power structures. This means aggressively pushing legislation through committees, publicly calling out those who obstruct progress, and holding accountable those who have abused their positions. We need a society that is willing to penalize those in power.
The path forward includes addressing issues like campaign finance reform, strengthening the Fairness Doctrine, and enacting term limits for Congress. It also involves reforming the prison system, investing in mass transit, and addressing climate change. It means rolling back tariffs, investigating corruption, and enacting measures like Medicare for All. There is a need to get medieval with the punishments for all of the current crooks. In this new world, Democrats must start by abolishing ICE entirely.
The checks and balances we have are no longer adequate. The system was not built for the demagogues we have now. The need is there for ethics violations to be addressed. Democrats need to sanitize the system, and they must start by reinventing themselves. The government of the future has to be built from the ground up, not just patched together. To do less is to fail.