Over the years I’ve been in conversations where someone asks, “What was the turning point so that political progress is so difficult.” The question has many forms, but usually there is someone who wants to blame Ronald Reagan.

Reagan redirected American politics toward unrelenting partisanship, acceptance of a false economics theory that when the wealthy prosper everyone prospers, and the end of the fairness doctrine that demanded public media tell both sides of the story. Reagan institutionalized the structures that made it possible for today’s partisanship that caused government gridlock, government controlled by the interests of the wealth, and public media that is allowed to deliver propaganda without providing balanced information.

Since Reagan, Republicans have been able to take over the government. They are on the verge of establishing a tyrannical regime that cannot be defeated by the strategy of the Democratic party trying to raise enough money to win elections.

I propose that this is possible because the Democratic party decided in the 1980s to reject the goals of progressive American politics. Jesse Jackson, Jr. was the clear heir to the political trajectory of Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson. He carried that progressive flag boldly in his run for president in 1984 against Reagan. The Democratic party hacks saw no path to defeat Reagan. So, they nominated a party moderate. In the primaries a majority of Americans didn’t know Jackson as a politician. But in 1988, Jackson was recognized by the American progressives as speaking for them.

During the critical primary months of March and April of 1988, Jackson’s popularity grew as more people recognized that he spoke for the people. The white men establishment in the Democratic party had five credible candidates and Jackson was not part of that club. So, four of them who still had a chance, dropped out to make sure that Michael Dukakis could win.

Jackson showed that he was not only the voice of the progressive past that started with Eisenhower, but he also represented a potential future for a progressive Democratic party. He won eleven primaries or caucuses and two other contests. At 47 years old it seems that Jackson was in a position to be a strong candidate in 1992. So, what happened? Why wasn’t Jackson a candidate in 1992 to continue the tradition of Martin Luther King, Jr and President Kennedy?

I happen to know the answer to that question because in 1990 I asked him. I attended a chapel service where Jackson preached a powerful sermon. I heard him express what I hoped for America. After the service there was time for questions. I asked him why he was not running from President in 1992. He answered, “I borrowed money to run in 1988, and I still owe $30,000 dollar. In good conscience, I cannot run for President while I have that debt.”

Today that doesn’t seem like very much money to end such a promising national political career. To put it into context, that was my annual salary in 1990. But at the time my father, brother, and sister were very active in Democratic national politics. I had no idea how the money might be raised. So, I telephoned them to suggest that we take this on as a family project. They were not at all interested. They weren’t even interested in helping me find someone who would be interested in a fundraising project. I had no idea where to start, so I didn’t.

If I were asked today, “What was the turning point that led to America being on the brink of a total collapse into authoritarianism?” I would answer, “It was when the white men leading the Democratic party refused to embrace the young politician, Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Today when I heard that Jesse Jackson, Jr died in his 84 year, I thought about the 49-year-old leader whose political career was ended because of his integrity and a $30,000 debt. And I have overwhelming regret that I didn’t pursue every avenue to find people or someone who could pay that debt.

I am asking myself today, “Are there opportunities to resist authoritarianism that I can discover?” In Rev. Jackson’s memory I don’t want to answer, “I don’t know where to start.”