[Excerpt] Instead of tightening them, the labor movement should be re-examining its links to the Democrats. Party officials are not bashful about it. "We have to quit running on labor's agenda," says one state chairman. "I want to get the hell out of the house of labor." Unions might well consider taking up the offer. By tying themselves to the Democrats, unions have choked off opportunities for independent political action at the grass roots. In the long run, its members would be better served if labor strikes out for new political ground.