In my opinion, Democrats have failed, for forty years, to address the message that put the Republicans in power.
Republicans told Americans that the government is their enemy, and told them that the Constitution even gave people the right to take up arms against their government.

Democrats never stood up and said, No, that's a lie, the Constitution says the government is there to help you. It says that right at the very beginning, in the introductory comments, which they called The Preamble. The Weedy Peephole part.

3. For forty years, Republicans have sold people on "Government is bad! We're supposed to protect and serve 330 million people over two and a quarter billion acres, 3.8 million square miles, with some podunk thing that can't deliver the mail on time.
This is bullshit.

4. Here's just a *tiny bit* of what the federal government did before His Madnesty took it apart. https://www.nopackagedeals.com/2017/07/23/government-tasks-actions/

5. The Democrats have never stood up, in one unified voice, and said, Listen here, America, government is a good thing and it's here to serve you. Government keeps your food edible, your water drinkable, and your airplanes from running into each other.

6. Government takes care of the land where you go hunting, go fishing, go picnicking, and take your kids for walks. Government keeps the fish you catch from giving your kids cancer. Government regulations exist so your employer can't cut off your hands and fingers.

7. Government is the referee that keeps the rich guys from cheating you out of an honest day's pay for an honest day's work.

8. We never do that. We never make the case for a functioning federal government. We pick some program - health care, say - and we yammer about that program to people who FUNDAMENTALLY DON'T BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO DO THAT.
"Socialism."

9. There are exactly two governmental powers and duties which are mention twice in the Constitution. No more, and no less. Two. For extra points: What are they?

10. To promote the general welfare
To provide for the common defense.
Those two. Twice, each time together as a pair.
Promote the general welfare.
Provide for the common defense.
PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE. Provide for the common defense.

11. Have you ever heard a Republican say, "It's not really the government's business to provide for the common defense."
No.
That is an unlimited obligation. No matter the cost, no matter the loss. Provide for the common defense.
What about the FIRST half of that sentence?

12. Bill Clinton. One of our Good Guys. "The era of big government is over."
Oh? Did we shoot 150 million people? Sell off 1 3/4 million square miles? Close the Defense Department?

13. Another hint: It's really hard to persuade anybody of anything when your opening line is, "You're fucking stupid."
That's all.