A hanging concentrates the mind, and the Democrats got hung out to dry in the November elections. But there is a long time between now and November 2022.

This November was the peak moment for Republicans to be energized and Democrats to be disgusted about the budget deadlock in Congress. But with Build Back Better finally enacted, and still containing a lot of good provisions that will deliver some practical help, Democratic voters can start feeling good again.

And they will have a lot of help from one Donald Trump.

Trump was uncharacteristically quiet in the two key gubernatorial races. But as the 2022 midterms approach, he will be in evidence, working to oust Republican moderates and reminding Democrats who stayed home and independents who broke Republican just what a menace he is.

As someone who studies economics, my sense is that inflation will subside by next summer. I have good company in the Federal Reserve.

None of this will guarantee that Democrats will hold Congress, but it gives us a fighting chance. FDR said that the only thing we have to fear is fear. Today, what we have to fear is passivity and resignation.

I’ve been at this for a long time. Since we founded the Prospect in 1989, we’ve been in it to play the long game: what ideas, what strategies, and what political language can build a majority progressive coalition?

We’ve demonstrated the utter failure of neoliberalism, both as a politics and as a recipe for the economy. And we’ve had the satisfaction of seeing a Democratic president come around to our point of view.

That kind of influence makes it all worthwhile, but it is only half the battle. We have to keep fascism at bay. And as Joe Manchin said so well, if you want to spend more money, elect more liberals.

If you care about the future of progressive politics and the viability of democracy itself, please invest in progressive ideas. Click on this link and become a Prospect sustainer.

A decent America has to be long-haul. With your help, so are we.