The reality is that, yes, this should serve as a wake up call to the Democratic party. Look at someone like Tulsi who has left the party and many others. Someone like Elon, who in the past supported the party and voted for Obama. If it wasn't for the media running the propaganda arm for the party, the party would have absolutely lost by even bigger margins.
I challenge everyone to be "independent" in their thinking and to be open minded to any candidate, no matter the candidate's political party. We should choose the best person from there, as it should always be.
I think many people are waking up to the reality that all the party does is lip service. I hope that the Democratic party reforms itself after this loss, has genuine discourse, has honest self reflections and healthy competitions in upcoming elections.
If you step back and compare the Democratic party of today, compared to say 2010s, 2000s, 1990s, you will find a party that is radically different. It is pretty clear, that the party just follows the trends and operates like true politicians and gives us lip service to win elections.
To your point, at least the Republicans actually have been way more consistent in their beliefs and positions.
The solution? Candidates that actually believe in what they say, candidates that people can actually believe will solve the issues. Not candidates that have been fed by the Machine, not candidates that were forced upon people (aka Kamala), not candidates that did complete 180s on most of their positions (aka Kamala), not candidates that came across as fake (aka Kamala).
The party needs another organic figure to rise up, something like Bernie Sanders achieved but was ultimately screwed by the elites in the party. This time around, the party needs to let natural competition play it self out and allow an authentic figure to take the new leadership of the party.
Today the party is lost, Biden is leaving, the party elders like Nancy are on their way out. Who is leading the party? Nobody knows.
I foresee a long road ahead for the party.