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UPSIDE DOWN WORLD - The fireworks over Los Angeles on Independence Day were more than a celebration—they were a warning flare. Last week, President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) passed Congress by the narrowest of margins, cementing a second era of massive tax cuts for the wealthy, deep cuts to social programs, and a vision of America that leaves millions behind. For Democrats, this is not just a legislative defeat. It is a clarion call to confront a fundamental deficiency in our strategy and political will.
Donald Trump and his allies have never been shy about their ambitions. They wield power with grit and gumption—a willingness to push, prod, and, when necessary, bulldoze their way to victory. Democrats, by contrast, too often seem content to play by rules the other side has long since abandoned. The OBBB’s passage is the latest, and perhaps most consequential, example of what happens when one party fights to win and the other fights to be liked.
The bill itself is a monument to this imbalance. It extends and expands the 2017 Trump tax cuts, slashes funding for Medicaid and food assistance, and delivers windfalls to the wealthiest Americans and corporations. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it will add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, with the vast majority of benefits flowing to those who need them least. Yet, as Republicans celebrated, Democrats were left issuing statements and holding midnight speeches—passionate, yes, but ultimately powerless.
The Bezos Wedding: A Missed Opportunity
Consider the spectacle of Jeff Bezos’s recent $50 million wedding in Venice. As images of billionaires and celebrities floated across social media, many Americans struggled to pay rent, afford groceries, or access basic healthcare. The contrast could not have been starker—or more politically potent.
And yet, where was the Democratic outrage? Where was the clear, forceful message connecting the dots between the OBBB’s giveaways to the ultra-wealthy and the obscene excesses of America’s billionaire class? Instead, the loudest criticisms came from Hollywood celebrities, not elected officials. Democrats missed a golden opportunity to channel public frustration and make the case that policies like the OBBB are not abstract accounting exercises—they are the reason billionaires can throw decadent parties while working families fall further behind.
Why the Silence?
Why are Democrats so reluctant to take on figures like Bezos? The answer, I fear, is as uncomfortable as it is obvious: money. In the post–Citizens United era, both parties are deeply dependent on billionaire donors to fund their campaigns. While Republicans receive the lion’s share of this largesse, Democrats are hardly immune. In 2024, just 100 billionaire families poured $2.6 billion into federal elections, with about a quarter of that supporting Democratic candidates and causes. Some of our most prominent leaders have openly courted Silicon Valley and Wall Street, even as they decry the influence of big money in politics.
This dependency breeds caution, if not outright timidity. Democratic strategists worry that attacking the excesses of the ultra-rich will dry up essential campaign funds. They fret over alienating donors who, while progressive on social issues, are fiercely protective of their tax breaks and investment portfolios. The result is a party that too often pulls its punches, even when the moral and political case for action is overwhelming.
The National Debt: Who’s Really Responsible?
Let’s be clear: the majority of our national debt is directly attributable to the two Trump tax cut packages—the 2017 law and now the OBBB. These bills have slashed federal revenues while delivering windfalls to the wealthiest Americans and corporations. The claim that these tax cuts “pay for themselves” has been debunked by every credible analysis. Instead, they have left us with ballooning deficits, underfunded public services, and a growing sense of economic insecurity for millions.
Yet, Republicans continue to sell the myth of “trickle-down” prosperity, while Democrats struggle to articulate a compelling alternative. We must do better. We must make the case—forcefully, repeatedly, and without apology—that America cannot afford another decade of tax cuts for the rich at the expense of everyone else.
Learning the Right Lessons—Now
The 2026 midterms are just sixteen months away. If Democrats hope to regain control of Congress and the Senate, we must learn from our failures—quickly. Here’s what needs to change
Embrace Economic Populism: The path to victory runs through working- and middle-class voters who feel abandoned by both parties. We must champion policies that put their needs first, not those of billionaires and corporate donors
Break the Billionaire Dependency: It’s time to build a campaign finance strategy that relies on small donors and grassroots energy, not the largesse of the ultra-wealthy. This will require courage and creativity, but it is the only way to regain our independence and credibility.
Call Out Excess—Loudly: When billionaires flaunt their wealth in the midst of national hardship, we must not be afraid to say so. The Bezos wedding was not just a personal extravagance; it was a symbol of a system rigged for the few at the expense of the many. Democrats should have made that case, and we must not miss the next opportunity.
Connect Policy to Everyday Life: The OBBB is not just a set of numbers on a spreadsheet. It means fewer resources for schools, hospitals, and public safety. It means higher deficits and less room to invest in our future. We must make these connections clear, concrete, and personal.
Develop a “Killer Instinct” of Our Own: This does not mean abandoning our values or stooping to the level of our opponents. It means fighting to win, refusing to be intimidated, and never apologizing for standing up for the majority of Americans.
Conclusion: The Time for Timidity Is Over
The passage of the OBBB is a wake-up call. If Democrats continue to play it safe, to hedge our bets, and to hope that reason alone will prevail, we will lose—again. But if we find our nerve, embrace boldness, and speak directly to the frustrations and aspirations of ordinary Americans, we can turn this moment of defeat into the beginning of a new era.
The stakes could not be higher. The future of our democracy, our economy, and our shared prosperity depends on what we do next. Let’s not waste another day.
This article reflects the views of the author, a longtime Los Angeles political leader, and is intended to spark debate and action among Democrats and all who care about the future of our country.
