Tom Murphy, in his column [“Labor Must Show the Way,” Dec. 7], did an excellent job summarizing the ongoing policy debates within our two major political parties.

Historically, the Democratic Party has supported labor unions in stark contrast to the Republican Party. However, progressive labor should be reminded that at least since the 1990s the Democratic Party has supported policies such as deregulation, “free trade” and favorable tax breaks for powerful real estate interests. These have undermined workers by increasing both inequality and the power of the plutocrats, who gladly contribute millions of dollars to its candidates.

In this two-party monopoly, both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party have betrayed the “American dream,” a term first used in 1931 during the Great Depression.

Howard Elterman, retired