It was “the best and the brightest” who brought us the disaster of Vietnam. And such elitists in Democratic Party still bring avoidable disaster. From northern Iowa, Professor Wallace Hettle sees how the power of big money over the Democratic Party pushes away working people, farmers, and others in the hollowed-out heartland. Terry McAullife’s loss in Virginia came from projecting elitism. Enough. The answer is right in front of us: listen and respect, don’t talk down.  Hettle sees hope in the rise of unions, a movement much stronger than merely looking for votes eight weeks before an election. When Democrats have courageously  connected with movements, we win. And when we remind voters that “saving democracy” means taking power back from the moneyed interests, that also connects with now-alienated working people.