The roiling waters around Biden’s candidacy reflect a broad fear of handing the election to Trump. Like most in the free world, we share that fear. But we think Democrats need more than a candidate with mental acuity.
 
Democrats need a candidate who can begin to deal with the problems that gave rise to Trump. He sees that America has been weakened by internal guilt and indecision, and by an unwillingness to fix what’s broken. Democrats need to pull their heads out of the sand and address obvious weaknesses.

Here is what we think America needs to become strong again:

1. Dredge the swamp. The problem with Washington is not (mainly) its regulatory goals, but its paralysis. Like sediment in a harbor, the red tape state has caused terminal stasis. The only way to clean it out is for “base-closing commissions” to propose simplified structures, subject to up or down votes by Congress. The goal is not to get rid of government but to make it work. We volunteer to help lead these commissions.

2. Redirect resources. Clearing out red tape will marshal at least $1 trillion—for example, phasing out obsolete programs and purging health care red tape which consumes over $1 million per doctor. Ending this waste will allow resources to be directed to neglected priorities—more robust defense, getting a grip on unlawful immigration, rebuilding mental health infrastructure, and providing daylong programs for single mothers and infants so that these children have a chance.

3. Reboot America’s schools. The dreary mediocrity of America’s schools is now imbedded in their cultures—maintained by a stranglehold of the teachers unions and other interest groups. America’s schools teach futility and cynicism, not opportunity and self-determination. No reform has worked, other than starting new schools. It's time to acknowledge failure, and do what’s needed to let each community rebuild its schools.

4. Purge legal fear from daily interactions. Americans go through the day with little lawyers on our shoulders, constantly whispering in our ears. Hardly any interaction in the workplace, in schools, and even playgrounds is free of legal fear. Repressing spontaneity and honest judgment is a formula for resentment, not social progress. Law should be pulled away from most interpersonal dealings except in cases of direct harm or systemic practices. In a free country, people should be free to not get along.

Ask yourself: Is America strong enough to deter China and Russia, and to do continuous battle with terrorist groups around the globe? Those enemies see us as lazy—unwilling to deal with red tape, obsolete laws, broken schools, or homelessness, and even to say what we honestly think in the workplace. All because we don't want to upset someone.
 
America needs a candidate focusing on what’s needed to be strong again. Trump sees the need, but lacks the vision or character to lead change. In deciding who should run against Trump, Democrats should demand someone better than a caretaker of the status quo.

• Philip Howard was interviewed about Everyday Freedom by American Law Institute President David F. Levi on ALI’s Reasonably Speaking podcast. Joining the discussion were Judge Edith Jones and Professor Nicholas Bagley.

• Philip discussed system failure in Washington with John Ellis and Joe Klein on their Night Owls podcast.

• Our work on unions was discussed by the Wall Street Journal’s James Freeman. The C. Boyden Gray Center commissioned this white paper where Philip argues that government unions have created a “new spoils system.”

• Our work on red tape was discussed by Financial Times columnist Rana Foroohar. In this column for John Ellis’s New Items, Philip lists the reforms needed to build infrastructure.

• Syndicated columnist Michael Barone reviewed Everyday Freedom.