For some time now, the Democratic party and modern liberalism have been suffering a tremendous crisis. The political viability of the Democratic party beyond the next election is now doubtful. Part of this dilemma is perhaps due to ineffective leadership of President Bill Clinton. However, liberals in general suffer from a more systemic affliction--they are simply not tough enough.

The weakness of liberals is most evident when they are contrasted with conservatives. Recent Republican heroes are men like Nixon and Reagan. Nixon was known for his unscrupulousness and his cruelty. The Christmas bombing of Hanoi and authorization of unconstitutional counterintelligence actions against his real and imagined enemies are typical of the warped but brutal mind of "Tricky Dick.'

Reagan was no pansy either. He was generous in his support for Central American terrorists (i.e., the contras) as well as state sponsored death squads in this region. He was big on union-busting, fired striking air traffic controllers and attacked the inner cities with a vengeance. And he was proud of it.

Recent Democratic leaders have been no match for these tough guys. Of course, it is harder to be a liberal bruiser. Republicans have so many more weapons available. They can appeal to the politics of hate, trumpeting white supremacy under the guise of states' rights. Reagan proclaimed this message in his 1980 campaign in the same Mississippi county where the famous civil rights workers Cheney, Schwerner and Goodman were murdered. Republicans can also scapegoat the poor. "Welfare queen" rhetoric now seems tame. Republican congressional representatives have started referring to welfare recipients as "wolves" and "crocodiles."

Democrats, who usually preach a message of inclusion and equality, are thus hampered in some ways. Yet there is no reason for Democrats to become timid and overly prone to compromise with their Republican enemies. There are may issues that Democrats could speak stridently about, such as corporate crime and greed, the bloated defense budget and the destruction of the environment. But today's Democrats are trying to convince the public that they are kinder, gentler Republicans. This is a suicidal agenda.

Part of the Democrats' problem is that they too are funded by corporations and well-financed interest groups. It is difficult to be the party of the working class when your support comes from big capital. So the Democrats' message is confused and effeminate.

Liberal confusion is particularly evident in foreign policy. While conservatives are often willing to use force in an immoral, unprincipled manner, liberals are often too pacifist or too skittish to use military force at all. For example, the Clinton administration vacillated on Bosnia and issued dozens of empty threats and ultimatums. Liberals must realize that force should be used generously for moral purposes.

This country needs a muscular form of liberalism that is more in touch with the militant spirit of the '60s than the compromising spirit of the '90s. But this leadership will probably have to come from the streets and the masses rather than the weaklings in Washington. And new liberal leadership, while recognizing America's class problems, cannot return to the tired ideas of Marx.

A show of strength can often frighten leaders into conforming to a more humane agenda. Richard Nixon panicked when anti-war demonstrators flooded into Washington to protest his invasion of Cambodia. The recent Million Man March proves that working and middle class resistance to today's reactionary climate can be tapped. Liberals need to flex their might in the streets. Corporations should be held accountable for using Third World slave labor. Cops like Mark Fuhrman should fear for their lives.

Liberals also needs to prove their strength at the ballot box, as well as local school boards, town meetings, etc. A new, stronger brand of liberalism needs to reassert America's commitment to inclusion and opportunity while battling those that seek to concentrate wealth, power and knowledge in the hands of a ruling class.

David W. Brown's column appears on alternate Wednesdays.