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Global Opinions editor Karen Attiah deconstructs the Democratic Party's "Better Deal" platform, which she says will get it knocked out of future elections by ignoring minorities and marginalized groups. (Gillian Brockell,Kate Woodsome,Karen Attiah/The Washington Post)

Its August in Washington, which means the nations lawmakers are taking their summer break from getting, it seems, not a lot done.

Democrats, who are still reeling from last falls election loss, may do well to do a bit of summer homework before coming back to work in the fall. Specifically, they could learn a thing or two from the martial art of Muay Thai, the official kickboxing sport of Thailand. My Muay Thai coach once advised me, if your opponent punches you and you decide to return with a quick counter, you better make darn sure that you strike back with equal or greater force. No baby punches! My coach likes to scream at our Muay Thai class.

In case you missed it, the Democrats releasedtheir new economic platform this summer, A Better Deal. The deal tackles issues such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, wants to penalize companies that outsource jobs to other countries, and aims to take on China as a currency manipulator. (Some of that sounds familiar, doesnt it?)

A Better Deal is the Democrats attempt to counter Donald Trumps knockout blow to Hillary Clinton and scramble after white, working-class voters, who tipped the fight in Republicans favor in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. While the platform echoes many of the progressive economic messages that captivated Sen. Bernie Sanderss supporters, it leaves out issues such as climate change, LGBT rights, criminal-justice reform or specific actions to tackle voting rights. A Better Deal comes up short for people of color and marginalized groups in the United States.

The Democrats might think they can win by ducking so-called identity politics and paying less attention to issues affecting women, the environment and marginalized groups in the United States. But unfortunately, A Better Deal sounds like the strategy of a party thats fighting scared of Trump, not fighting back. Simply put, the Democrats are throwing baby punches.

Watch the TL;DR video above for more about the Democrats plan, as well as what the Democrats should do to avoid being out for the count in 2018 and beyond.

See more here:
The Democrats are fighting scared - Washington Post