The problem with your suggested approach, F.J. Mitchell, is that it is precisely what not to do.
This issue isn't about Democrat vs Republican or liberal vs conservative because there are OBL's in both parties and patriots in both parties. It is about the Party of Money vs everyone else. It is about the Party of Cheap Labor, be it New Democrat or WSJ Republican. It doesn't win at the ballot box because its agenda is hostile to the wellbeing of this country. It wins in the smoke filled room. It wins in the shadows where deals are struck.
If you try to fight its agenda by quietly criticizing it as you say, you will be steamrollered by money every time. If you don't loudly hold their feet to the fire, calling attention to their schemes from the rooftops, most of your elected representatives WILL quietly sell you out.
You're clearly talking about your big labor, protectionist, anti-capitalist, socialist agenda. Because as far as I can see, the agenda for free trade, global competition and open borders consistently wins at the 'national' ballot box, whether during the Clinton era or the Bush era.