The thing that bothers me most about the Democrats' current arguments over which issues "cost us the election" is the apparent lack of concern about what we think is right.
The hypocrisy of choosing positions based entirely on what you think will win an election is a major part of why so many people have given up on participating in the process. What we are seeing is no longer a matter of choosing which battles to fight, based on an underlying set of principles. The principles have been thrown out, leaving only hypocrisy. We firmly believe in...whatever will get us elected this time around.
It may be necessary to focus on a limited set of objectives, but that can be done without disavowing everything else. We need to stop ignoring, or apologizing for, our belief in the worth and dignity of every human being.
I think most people from my culture (midwest American) find it uncomfortable to get help from anyone. It seems vaguely embarrassing, even when it's from friends or family. It's much easier to give than to receive.
I've been on both ends of that pretty regularly and I have been working on learning to accept help gratefully as well as giving it. It is surprisingly difficult.