This is what they should do, but too many of the same sources of Manchin money fund the Dems. What needs to happen is for the whole party to stop talking about politicians and to start calling out the corporations, the rot at the center of it all. They need to stop pretending this is some political stance by the holdouts or the Republicans when it's a position bought and paid for, to be held by any person in that role. Direct the working class and disgruntled Democratic anger toward the real impediments to fairness and progress. However, doing so would pull back the veil on their own party as well, and it would force them to admit that they, too, are compromised. And sadly, I'm afraid there's 5 times more courage in the average roofer as is there is in the average Democratic politician.
So, yes, I absolutely agree that these are the policies we need, but unless we start having some uncomfortably honest discussions about why we don't already have them and what's really in the way, we will continue to spin our wheels before slamming it in reverse back toward fascism.
Yes, Manchin is not the only Democrat who is compromised by corporate money. He is merely in the safest election territory to act on it. But he is secretly being emboldened by other Democrats. So let's accept that corporate donation will continue to campaigns. Congress Members should not be on committees that they got contributions from entities that the committees regulate.
It seems to me that it is time for Progressives to break away from the Democratic Party. The corruption and corporate influence in the Democratic Party is too entrenched. It has disappointed us for years. We need a Party solidly built on Progressive principles.
it is more than Progressives breaking away from the Democratic party. it is political parties must come to an end. Caucuses can exist to support more precise agendas. Think about this Republicans in the Mid West are fighting against Climate Change initiatives because the Republican party is against Climate Change initiatives. At the same time, they are complaining about water shortages due to droughts caused by climate change. If it wasn't for a party-line agenda they would be voting for a Climate Change agenda.
You guys, we need to be United against the GOP right now! The “moderates” do seem more willing to change their neoliberal ways and vote on legislation that restricts the wealth gap’s growth, I still think we would be able to pass the original Build Back Better if not for Manchin and Sinema’s objections. Biden himself is far more progressive than we thought he was capable of. We just cannot allow any more Republican wins because of how close the margins are and how they’re eviscerating the hell out of the truth and Democracy itself…
They are messing up the Courts. It is unbelievable what they have done to the Supreme Court, and on the state level, the way a judge was forced to come up with a verdict in the case of the murdered, unarmed Black jogger with a rule in place that allowed the lawyers to select an all white jury (there was one Black man on the jury of 12). Jim Crow is still alive!. The judge called it out but was powerless to render true justice! Three armed men attacked an unarmed Black man and, of course, he defended himself (with no weapon), so they get away with self defense because he was trying self defense. Upside down!
You are right, but staying united got us Biden instead of a more representative candidate. We decided we needed Biden for the absolutely necessary task of beating Trump, but now look at the mess we're in.
I wonder how many avoided the progressives because of their own investments. They could not go 'too far' because their own bottom lines were threatened.
Bernie would actually be worse I think in terms of passing legislation. I was for him, but it’s not he who is working endlessly to get the votes of Manchin and Sinema; I’m not sure he would have managed to compromise enough for that.
What could he say that would be any different than Biden and others? They were dug in, and probably still because they 'have to dance with them that brung them'.
I've thought about this too, especially now that we have progressives acitively defying the estblishment. But then I think: Trumponians (nice word, huh?) didn't break away; they took over. Why can't we?
Yes, and it's a good start, but politicians who won't take big Money depend on voters who don't watch commercials; who actually pay attention to what is going on; and who vote. So far, politicians who can depend on that are few.
I never watch commercials. I DVR things I want to watch, and then, when I do watch them I fast forward their commercial asses. But I knew about Bernie, because I read books and scroll through Facebook and watch some tv news that sometimes feature people like Michael Moore and Bernie. When the pundits on MSNBC talk with thinly veiled distain about someone I get interested. I also attend political rallies. Not lately, because things are getting scary.
They might not be taking corporate money but because of their lack of support for Biden's agenda, they are making us - middle income and working citizens think that they do not care about US!
Well, it's a tough balancing act. If progressives give in, and support Biden (in not doing what he said he'd do), then are they helping by getting legislation through, or hurting by giving up on the things we really need?
Democrats - in my humble opinion - are TOO WEAK and they are letting the Re-pubic-ans run the government the way they want because look what is happening in North Carolina - the GOP are using gerrymander to their benefits - they are re-writing the map and adding more GOP seats and are giving the crumbs to the Democrats! I don't understand how and why the GOP has the right to do this and why the Democrats allowed them to step ALL OVER THEM! Why do the Democrats don't raise HELL and STOP THE GOP FROM THEIR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR?
I've wondered this too: Why? Maybe the difference in agression/ability to win comes from the basic difference between conservative and liberal politics. Liberals believe in social welfare: all men are basically good, help your fellow man, we're all in this together. Conservatives believe in free-market capitalism: that people are basically bad, will take from you if you don't take from them first, and that it's every man's right/duty to trample whoever he needs to in order to come out on top.
I am looking for solutions to problems. Not interested in winning points or deriding the other side. Also, not interested in seeing democracy disappear. Not interested in separation of families. The reason we have so many challenges is because we don’t enact solutions we just fight over proper solutions to get re-elected. So Mr. Trump, where is our tremendous healthcare? Where is immigrstion law? Where is funding social security? Where is Medicare part D coverage or cost control? Where is infrastructure?
BTW check out the largest container shipping ports in the world, hint: not one in the US is even in the top 10. Wonder why we have supply chain issues?
As far as I can tell Joe Biden is attempting to address many of these issues but has a congress not used to solutions.
Well, the Democrats are noe doing a fine job of losing the suburban vote and unmotivating the Black and Hispanic votes. Yes, the media is imbecilic and allows GOP propaganda to flourish, but the listless approach of Democratic leadership to fight for voting rights, the inability of Democrats to create a viable strategy to fight culture wars, and the unwillingness of the White House to use the bully pulpit to raise awareness of their accomplishments to date is destroying the fragile Democratic coalition faster than the actions of the monstrous GOP. If Biden had a bit of courage, he'd fire Chris Wray, Ron Bloom (to allow a new Postmaster General to be appointed), and the hapless AG Garland (who is blissfully unaware of the dangers of applying judicial deliberation to a prosecutorial role). Maslow's hierarchy...people need to feel safe, and an imploding democracy needs to be addressed. Biden needs a dramatic reset to regain control of the narrative before the end of this year.
Robert you are brilliant. But to do any of this we’re going to have to get rid of the filibuster forthwith posthaste. NOW!! It WASN’T The Founding Fathers intent to require a supermajority to simply pass legislation through the Upper House. How’s that, right-wingers?
Another point. We must consider a John Robert Lewis Voting Rights AMENDMENT, and name it as such. And also refer to it specifically by name as opposed to ordinal number. As difficult as it’s been to pass a JRL Law, it’ll be MUCH more difficult to pass this as an amendment. And also, i believe, dilute in later court challenges. Like earlier voting rights law. i’ve been pondering this since about the time of the Great John Robert Lewis’ passing. Just some passing thoughts…
You can't place more importance on the integrity on senate procedure than the right to vote itself!!! (I have to give Joe Scarborough credit for that line)
I would add, integrity??? When the minority controls even what comes up for debate such as the Voting Rights Act??? That's not democracy!!
Yes, the time to act is NOW. For some unexplainable reason, Dems seem to still think that if they are nice, Reps will be nice in the next round. But if we just pass some legislation that they don't like, they will say nasty things about us, maybe spread rumors about a Deep State, or even call us Socialists! Is this a learning disability?
I just think it’s counterproductive to criticize the party for inaction when the vast majority of the party is totally for it but a couple people are simply unwilling to go through with many of the things people complain about, like getting rid of the filibuster.
Well, the party stinks, but it's the best one we've got. I sasn't trying to condemn. I was trying to point out that all thier fears, that keep them from acting bravely, will happen anyway.
Not completely unexplainable. The Democrats as the "Big Tent" party are trying to hold together a much broader coalition. In contrast many Republicans are trying to distinguish themselves by showing they are more extreme on culture war issues. They see angering Democrats is a measure of success. A core tenant of their strategy is a belief that "the best defense is to always be on the attack."
When somebody is trying to bully you, remaining calm is usually a better response than getting all upset which is what the bully wants.
Dems have always made that fatal mistake in thinking that they need to be nice to Republicans. Have Republicans been "nice" to Democrats? Fight fire with fire!
We can’t at least until the midterms so maybe we should stop asking if the party to do what it can’t due to stances of Manchin and Sinema (or perhaps more silent Dems).
You make a good point, but what's the alternative? We elected Biden and other Dems because they said they'd do some things. Shouldn't we expect at least a few things get done? I know... compromise ... but, between what 2 positions? Extrememly right vs fascist? I say "wait until the midterms" means "wait until we don't have a majority anymore". We saw what that did to Obama. Again, I say: "do Dems have a learning disability?"
Republicans are not waiting until the midterms. They think the midterms will be too late. They think it is too easy to cheat the vote. They are pointing to the narrow victory in VA & loss in NJ. A 7 point lead in VA dwindled to a 2 point victory. Given their big pickup in the Hispanic and Black voter, a 5 point win was assured. Getting +2% is attributed to voter fraud. Right or wrong they are not waiting until the midterms. Neither should Democrats.
I think we also need to get some (new?) highly skilled professional PR people involved at a high level to figure out how we can make as strong a message about real things that the Republicans do about total falsehoods.
Would someone please hire Donny Deutsch or some comparable marketing professional that can translate what you said to the public??
I've said this before on this platform. The Democrats do not know how to get a message out.
Chris Rock once said, "If the public only knew how rich some rich people are, there would be riots in the streets!"
Most people can't even relate to the tax avoidance measures utilized by wealthy individuals and corporations.
“stepped-up basis or carried interest loopholes"
Not every tax avoidance scheme can be easily explained to the average person, but even if a few were advertised in clear messages to educate the public on how we are all being 'ripped-off' by the elite, more people wouldn't be buying into the misrepresentations and myths used by the Republicans to create fear and justify not raising taxes and making the wealthy pay their "fair share".
That's where it should start. Make it clear, all average Americans would agree that everyone, including the very wealthy should be paying their "fair share"!
I wish you hadn't repeated the trope that it's ALL Dems. Many Dem lawmakers WANT to work for us. Currently, TWO have prevented this. There are others who work only for the wealthy, but more and more are trying to work for US.
Robert Reich wrote: "The biggest lesson from Tuesday’s election results is that too many people in America’s vast working middle class don’t believe Democrats are on their side. The best way of persuading them otherwise is to enact the social and economic package and infrastructure bill — and pay for it by taxing ultra-wealthy Americans who have never been wealthier yet don’t pay their fair share."
The reason that people don't believe that the Democratic Party is on their side is because they AREN'T. Or did you fail to notice the same, tired old neoliberal garbage Terry McAuliffe used to try and get elected (and fail) in Virginia?
The Democratic Party is controlled by Wall Street Democrats who don't CARE about what happens to the rest of the country, so long as their wealthy campaign donors (and their own stock portfolios) do well. People like Joe Manchin. People who hold millions of dollars in fossil fuel, pharmaceutical and armament stocks. People who have profited both politically and financially from the status quo of the "Washington Consensus". The same people whose poor policy and candidate choices gave us twenty years of losing state legislatures and governorships to the Republicans, the suppression of the candidacy of Bernie Sanders (in TWO presidential elections), the promotion of the candidacy of Donald Trump, and the systematic destruction of the American manufacturing base for profit.
And that is why the infrastructure bills will fail; not because of Progressives. The infrastructure bills will fail because too many Democrats in leadership positions WANT them to fail, and so will refuse to take the actions necessary to end the filibuster, enforce party discipline on Manchin, Sinema and friends, or pass legislation that isn't stuffed with privatization pork for wealthy campaign donors.
If you want to convince the American People that the Democrats are on their side? Then the Democratic Party needs to change enormously from where it is now, and has been since Clinton. There must be an end to the endless search for corporate cash and the endless quest to woo Republican voters at the expense of the party's base. And that is something that will never, ever happen while the current leadership controls the party. They have spent their entire careers showing that all they care about is wealthy campaign donors. They aren't going to change now. They don't want to.
The quiescent non- voters are the 18 to 35 year olds who must have noticed that only “families” have IMPORTANT political appeals for financial benefit through government .
The unavailability of housing for singles in mega cities is a big drag on career development and flexibility to choose new career opportunities . The burden of finding multiple room mates to pretend to be a “family” is a drag on the economy . They observe that their issue is not a “political “ issue “ , so why bother with politics ?
An intriguing observation… The only issue facing singles might be student loan forgiveness or environmental issues but other than these, I can’t think of anything else that might would help bring this group out. As for statewide elections, these things are not on the table anyways.
They care about equal rights a lot, as well as taxing the rich. I think it takes people time to get settled somewhere and finally register to vote?? They’re totally not apathetic, so it is very frustrating to see low turnouts of young people. I totally relate to the singles thing. And also, does a family have to have kids? Lots of us (I’m 38 so an old millennial I guess) think having kids is actually kind of immoral given climate change.
Well, this ought to be a little help: https://democrats.org/news/new-reports-president-bidens-build-back-better-framework-will-boost-the-economy-cut-deficits/. Moody's says that the Build Back Better package“ will strengthen long-term economic growth, the benefits of which would mostly accrue to lower- and middle-income Americans.” and “Real GDP growth would average 3.2% per annum during Biden’s term and 2.2% over the next decade, compared with less than 2.8% and 2.1% per annum if the legislation fails to become law.” At least McConnell will now have to show his card as either a fascist or an authoritarian. (Fascists believe in combining government and business; authoritarians leave business out.)
This is good news in theory, but to be useful, one would have to assume that those Democrats causing the problems, or Republicans, or their voters, have at any point been basing their beliefs on facts. History has made it quite clear no report or amount of research or facts or proof or record of being wrong will shift these people from their positions. Dems need to start governing as if they are up against the tribal, parasitic, capitalist cult they are truly facing with its army of easily-influenced and selfish voters who will let the world burn before changing their mind.
At least the report confirms what I intuitively believed would happen if the BBB agenda were passed, however I also agree with you that it will probably have little impact on the vested narrow interests currently calling the shots.
Yup, great to have the facts on our side, but I feel like they only really matter these days when used to inspire those who already agree with a stance or those who haven't taken a position yet. As Robert previously pointed when it comes to the idea of small government, the GOP and their supporters don't really believe in many of the things they claim to care about these days, so providing contrary evidence seems fruitless until we return to a world with some semblance of accountability and credibility.
The swing against Democrats in Virginia was fairly uniform across geography — rural precincts, suburban precincts, urban precincts, Black precincts, white precincts, diverse precincts — and it was also visible in New Jersey. So the main causes are probably macro in nature rather than specific to Virginia.
It’s not really surprising that you’d see a broad swing against Democrats given that Joe Biden is dramatically less popular today than he was one year ago or even three months ago.
The MSM are - unsurprisingly - barking up the wrong tree again. In their hermetically sealed world they still think the cause of all the Democrat’s ills are “Racist insurrectionsries” or poor old Joe being “pulled too far left”. They aren’t coming to those ill-judged conclusions by themselves either, they are being fed this crap by “Democrat insiders” and the like.
I can’t see the Dems course correcting any time soon because the same clash between their stated aims as opposed to their donors requirements remains an immovable blockage, totally in contradiction with one another. It’s why their actions never match their words.
Once again all actions which would reinvigorate the Democratic Party but the premise is that a change in policy by the Dems would lead to a change in outcomes at the polls. The DNC continues to oppose candidates who primary incumbents irregardless of whether the incumbents behave like Manchin or just quietly take the corporate money. There is no incentive to bite the corporate money hand that feeds you. And so long as these incumbents win elections why should they not continue with this good thing. You can just blame the electorate. Even though a huge number of young people and disillusioned older voters don’t vote. The Republicans having noticed that the Dems are playing the corporate money game and are alienating their base are finding that they can turn this to their advantage by appealing to this base with false promises. Bernie was popular with precisely because he was doing exactly what you recommend.
So we can wait for the Republicans to wipe out the incumbent Democrats, wait for a younger version of Bernie to come along etc. and hope there is no Trump inspired rigging of the electoral system so that no Bernie type reformer can ever get elected or we can actually do something to put the fear of being thrown out of office front and center for incumbents.
The only way to do that is what Martin Luther King did, what the mobilization against the Vietnam War did, what the environmental movement in the early 1970s did, what the feminist movement of the late 1960s did.
Leaders on the left have to form a coalition to demand what was in the original BBB bill and mobilize the people to peacefully demonstrate for that in Washington. Pressure Congress. Make the on the take Democrats sweat out their future in Congress. Even upper middle class Dems who see nothing wrong with the incumbents will support electoral reforms that get the crooks out of office.
So rather than begging the incumbents let’s force them to answer to their angry constituents.
My Republican U.S. senator posted a video on Facebook of a witness testifying in a hearing that, if corporate taxes were raised, wages of their ordinary workers would have to be reduced, and therefore it would really be a tax on workers. His rationalization was that prices couldn't be raised to compensate because consumers then would not buy the product, and shareholder dividends couldn't be reduced just because, so the only option would be to cut wages(!). This is what we are dealing with. If Democrats finally pass Build Back Better, they can't just rest on their laurels and hope their great policies will sell themselves. They need to vigorously campaign on how the legislation will benefit ordinary Americans and make the wealthy contribute their fair share. We don't need the 2022 version of death panels.
The simplest proof that your Republican Senators are wrong or lying is the actions that corporations doing. I believe China has a Flat 25% corporate tax, France has 26% tax. Each of those countries has more Government rules than the United States, but yet still franchises like KFC and McDonalds have entered into those countries to do business. If taxes at 25% and State regulation were so detrimental for business, why are they still in those countries?
The idea that the Dems only need to change the message to attract more votes is simple, logical and wrong. The other side already has their message and it is going down well. All those people madly cheering the Florida Gov's speech on "how we ain't gonna bring that critical race stuff to our schools" knew what they were cheering for. A large segment of our population is fully behind the Trump agenda, they don't want no vaccines and they will decide for themselves whether to stop for red lights. Good luck trying to change those minds.
I live in Florida. And I went to a Private Evangelical Christian High School. And one of my majors was Theology. The Trump supporters act like a religious cult. I am not saying they are. But my experience with cult members is that they come from a life of personal pain. Some self-imposed, some self-pity, some abuse. You can't talk logic to a cult member while they are still a member of the cult. Just like a detox program, they must be pulled away from the cult and its followers and most importantly the leader, and then show that life can be lived beyond and hopefully without the personal pain. And that is why I think it is almost impossible to "get through" the average Florida Trump supporter.
if Trumpers are cultists then their opposition is too. Republicans see progressive democrats as cultists too. Tough to communicate with either. We got to get that polarization out of WDC. Which means downloading 98% of the flipping' administrative state to the states. Let the federal gov't be a bare-bones back up and outward protector of the crazy states comprising the USA
Unfortunately the Dems don’t have a majority of three or four in the Senate, so they could absorb no votes from the Manchin, Sinema, etc. corporate Dems. Therefore, the five corporate and billionaire taxes you propose are probably dead on arrival.
We absorbed the Trump tax cuts on billionaires and corporations with no lasting benefit to working and middle class Americans. At least if the BBB and infrastructure bills pass, even without immediate means of paying for them, it will benefit those who need it. Some economists are saying that our economy can absorb that scenario because in the yers to come those benefits to the working classes will benefit the whole economy.
BBB and infrastructure bills are affordable. Even at 3 Trillion, it is 3 Trillion over 10 years. So, in reality, it is only 300 Billion. The USA GDP in 2020 was 20 Trillion. So it is finding 1.5% out of the US economy that would stimulate a larger return in the future USA GDP which in turn reduces the percentage from the over GDP. The USA forgave 7 Trillion dollars in PPP loans in one year while giving out huge tax breaks to corporations and the rich, the Democrats should be screaming at the top of their lungs, that this is more than affordable.
This is what they should do, but too many of the same sources of Manchin money fund the Dems. What needs to happen is for the whole party to stop talking about politicians and to start calling out the corporations, the rot at the center of it all. They need to stop pretending this is some political stance by the holdouts or the Republicans when it's a position bought and paid for, to be held by any person in that role. Direct the working class and disgruntled Democratic anger toward the real impediments to fairness and progress. However, doing so would pull back the veil on their own party as well, and it would force them to admit that they, too, are compromised. And sadly, I'm afraid there's 5 times more courage in the average roofer as is there is in the average Democratic politician.
So, yes, I absolutely agree that these are the policies we need, but unless we start having some uncomfortably honest discussions about why we don't already have them and what's really in the way, we will continue to spin our wheels before slamming it in reverse back toward fascism.
Yes, Manchin is not the only Democrat who is compromised by corporate money. He is merely in the safest election territory to act on it. But he is secretly being emboldened by other Democrats. So let's accept that corporate donation will continue to campaigns. Congress Members should not be on committees that they got contributions from entities that the committees regulate.
It seems to me that it is time for Progressives to break away from the Democratic Party. The corruption and corporate influence in the Democratic Party is too entrenched. It has disappointed us for years. We need a Party solidly built on Progressive principles.
it is more than Progressives breaking away from the Democratic party. it is political parties must come to an end. Caucuses can exist to support more precise agendas. Think about this Republicans in the Mid West are fighting against Climate Change initiatives because the Republican party is against Climate Change initiatives. At the same time, they are complaining about water shortages due to droughts caused by climate change. If it wasn't for a party-line agenda they would be voting for a Climate Change agenda.
You guys, we need to be United against the GOP right now! The “moderates” do seem more willing to change their neoliberal ways and vote on legislation that restricts the wealth gap’s growth, I still think we would be able to pass the original Build Back Better if not for Manchin and Sinema’s objections. Biden himself is far more progressive than we thought he was capable of. We just cannot allow any more Republican wins because of how close the margins are and how they’re eviscerating the hell out of the truth and Democracy itself…
They are messing up the Courts. It is unbelievable what they have done to the Supreme Court, and on the state level, the way a judge was forced to come up with a verdict in the case of the murdered, unarmed Black jogger with a rule in place that allowed the lawyers to select an all white jury (there was one Black man on the jury of 12). Jim Crow is still alive!. The judge called it out but was powerless to render true justice! Three armed men attacked an unarmed Black man and, of course, he defended himself (with no weapon), so they get away with self defense because he was trying self defense. Upside down!
You are right, but staying united got us Biden instead of a more representative candidate. We decided we needed Biden for the absolutely necessary task of beating Trump, but now look at the mess we're in.
I wonder how many avoided the progressives because of their own investments. They could not go 'too far' because their own bottom lines were threatened.
Bernie would actually be worse I think in terms of passing legislation. I was for him, but it’s not he who is working endlessly to get the votes of Manchin and Sinema; I’m not sure he would have managed to compromise enough for that.
What could he say that would be any different than Biden and others? They were dug in, and probably still because they 'have to dance with them that brung them'.
I've thought about this too, especially now that we have progressives acitively defying the estblishment. But then I think: Trumponians (nice word, huh?) didn't break away; they took over. Why can't we?
Money?
Money, of course, but what are the differences between parties that money supported Trumpism, but not progressives?
True progressives are not taking corporate money
Yes, and it's a good start, but politicians who won't take big Money depend on voters who don't watch commercials; who actually pay attention to what is going on; and who vote. So far, politicians who can depend on that are few.
I never watch commercials. I DVR things I want to watch, and then, when I do watch them I fast forward their commercial asses. But I knew about Bernie, because I read books and scroll through Facebook and watch some tv news that sometimes feature people like Michael Moore and Bernie. When the pundits on MSNBC talk with thinly veiled distain about someone I get interested. I also attend political rallies. Not lately, because things are getting scary.
True, but it's a start. there are interesting posts online too. People are creative.
They might not be taking corporate money but because of their lack of support for Biden's agenda, they are making us - middle income and working citizens think that they do not care about US!
Well, it's a tough balancing act. If progressives give in, and support Biden (in not doing what he said he'd do), then are they helping by getting legislation through, or hurting by giving up on the things we really need?
Democrats - in my humble opinion - are TOO WEAK and they are letting the Re-pubic-ans run the government the way they want because look what is happening in North Carolina - the GOP are using gerrymander to their benefits - they are re-writing the map and adding more GOP seats and are giving the crumbs to the Democrats! I don't understand how and why the GOP has the right to do this and why the Democrats allowed them to step ALL OVER THEM! Why do the Democrats don't raise HELL and STOP THE GOP FROM THEIR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR?
I've wondered this too: Why? Maybe the difference in agression/ability to win comes from the basic difference between conservative and liberal politics. Liberals believe in social welfare: all men are basically good, help your fellow man, we're all in this together. Conservatives believe in free-market capitalism: that people are basically bad, will take from you if you don't take from them first, and that it's every man's right/duty to trample whoever he needs to in order to come out on top.
I am looking for solutions to problems. Not interested in winning points or deriding the other side. Also, not interested in seeing democracy disappear. Not interested in separation of families. The reason we have so many challenges is because we don’t enact solutions we just fight over proper solutions to get re-elected. So Mr. Trump, where is our tremendous healthcare? Where is immigrstion law? Where is funding social security? Where is Medicare part D coverage or cost control? Where is infrastructure?
BTW check out the largest container shipping ports in the world, hint: not one in the US is even in the top 10. Wonder why we have supply chain issues?
As far as I can tell Joe Biden is attempting to address many of these issues but has a congress not used to solutions.
Well, the Democrats are noe doing a fine job of losing the suburban vote and unmotivating the Black and Hispanic votes. Yes, the media is imbecilic and allows GOP propaganda to flourish, but the listless approach of Democratic leadership to fight for voting rights, the inability of Democrats to create a viable strategy to fight culture wars, and the unwillingness of the White House to use the bully pulpit to raise awareness of their accomplishments to date is destroying the fragile Democratic coalition faster than the actions of the monstrous GOP. If Biden had a bit of courage, he'd fire Chris Wray, Ron Bloom (to allow a new Postmaster General to be appointed), and the hapless AG Garland (who is blissfully unaware of the dangers of applying judicial deliberation to a prosecutorial role). Maslow's hierarchy...people need to feel safe, and an imploding democracy needs to be addressed. Biden needs a dramatic reset to regain control of the narrative before the end of this year.
Robert you are brilliant. But to do any of this we’re going to have to get rid of the filibuster forthwith posthaste. NOW!! It WASN’T The Founding Fathers intent to require a supermajority to simply pass legislation through the Upper House. How’s that, right-wingers?
Another point. We must consider a John Robert Lewis Voting Rights AMENDMENT, and name it as such. And also refer to it specifically by name as opposed to ordinal number. As difficult as it’s been to pass a JRL Law, it’ll be MUCH more difficult to pass this as an amendment. And also, i believe, dilute in later court challenges. Like earlier voting rights law. i’ve been pondering this since about the time of the Great John Robert Lewis’ passing. Just some passing thoughts…
I agree with you 100%.
Get rid of the Filibuster, once and for all.
You can't place more importance on the integrity on senate procedure than the right to vote itself!!! (I have to give Joe Scarborough credit for that line)
I would add, integrity??? When the minority controls even what comes up for debate such as the Voting Rights Act??? That's not democracy!!
Yes, the time to act is NOW. For some unexplainable reason, Dems seem to still think that if they are nice, Reps will be nice in the next round. But if we just pass some legislation that they don't like, they will say nasty things about us, maybe spread rumors about a Deep State, or even call us Socialists! Is this a learning disability?
I just think it’s counterproductive to criticize the party for inaction when the vast majority of the party is totally for it but a couple people are simply unwilling to go through with many of the things people complain about, like getting rid of the filibuster.
(And obvs we need every vote)
Well, the party stinks, but it's the best one we've got. I sasn't trying to condemn. I was trying to point out that all thier fears, that keep them from acting bravely, will happen anyway.
Not completely unexplainable. The Democrats as the "Big Tent" party are trying to hold together a much broader coalition. In contrast many Republicans are trying to distinguish themselves by showing they are more extreme on culture war issues. They see angering Democrats is a measure of success. A core tenant of their strategy is a belief that "the best defense is to always be on the attack."
When somebody is trying to bully you, remaining calm is usually a better response than getting all upset which is what the bully wants.
Dems have always made that fatal mistake in thinking that they need to be nice to Republicans. Have Republicans been "nice" to Democrats? Fight fire with fire!
We can’t at least until the midterms so maybe we should stop asking if the party to do what it can’t due to stances of Manchin and Sinema (or perhaps more silent Dems).
There are more behind Manchin and Sinema. Money corrupts.
You make a good point, but what's the alternative? We elected Biden and other Dems because they said they'd do some things. Shouldn't we expect at least a few things get done? I know... compromise ... but, between what 2 positions? Extrememly right vs fascist? I say "wait until the midterms" means "wait until we don't have a majority anymore". We saw what that did to Obama. Again, I say: "do Dems have a learning disability?"
Republicans are not waiting until the midterms. They think the midterms will be too late. They think it is too easy to cheat the vote. They are pointing to the narrow victory in VA & loss in NJ. A 7 point lead in VA dwindled to a 2 point victory. Given their big pickup in the Hispanic and Black voter, a 5 point win was assured. Getting +2% is attributed to voter fraud. Right or wrong they are not waiting until the midterms. Neither should Democrats.
I think we also need to get some (new?) highly skilled professional PR people involved at a high level to figure out how we can make as strong a message about real things that the Republicans do about total falsehoods.
Would someone please hire Donny Deutsch or some comparable marketing professional that can translate what you said to the public??
I've said this before on this platform. The Democrats do not know how to get a message out.
Chris Rock once said, "If the public only knew how rich some rich people are, there would be riots in the streets!"
Most people can't even relate to the tax avoidance measures utilized by wealthy individuals and corporations.
“stepped-up basis or carried interest loopholes"
Not every tax avoidance scheme can be easily explained to the average person, but even if a few were advertised in clear messages to educate the public on how we are all being 'ripped-off' by the elite, more people wouldn't be buying into the misrepresentations and myths used by the Republicans to create fear and justify not raising taxes and making the wealthy pay their "fair share".
That's where it should start. Make it clear, all average Americans would agree that everyone, including the very wealthy should be paying their "fair share"!
I wish you hadn't repeated the trope that it's ALL Dems. Many Dem lawmakers WANT to work for us. Currently, TWO have prevented this. There are others who work only for the wealthy, but more and more are trying to work for US.
Robert Reich wrote: "The biggest lesson from Tuesday’s election results is that too many people in America’s vast working middle class don’t believe Democrats are on their side. The best way of persuading them otherwise is to enact the social and economic package and infrastructure bill — and pay for it by taxing ultra-wealthy Americans who have never been wealthier yet don’t pay their fair share."
The reason that people don't believe that the Democratic Party is on their side is because they AREN'T. Or did you fail to notice the same, tired old neoliberal garbage Terry McAuliffe used to try and get elected (and fail) in Virginia?
The Democratic Party is controlled by Wall Street Democrats who don't CARE about what happens to the rest of the country, so long as their wealthy campaign donors (and their own stock portfolios) do well. People like Joe Manchin. People who hold millions of dollars in fossil fuel, pharmaceutical and armament stocks. People who have profited both politically and financially from the status quo of the "Washington Consensus". The same people whose poor policy and candidate choices gave us twenty years of losing state legislatures and governorships to the Republicans, the suppression of the candidacy of Bernie Sanders (in TWO presidential elections), the promotion of the candidacy of Donald Trump, and the systematic destruction of the American manufacturing base for profit.
And that is why the infrastructure bills will fail; not because of Progressives. The infrastructure bills will fail because too many Democrats in leadership positions WANT them to fail, and so will refuse to take the actions necessary to end the filibuster, enforce party discipline on Manchin, Sinema and friends, or pass legislation that isn't stuffed with privatization pork for wealthy campaign donors.
If you want to convince the American People that the Democrats are on their side? Then the Democratic Party needs to change enormously from where it is now, and has been since Clinton. There must be an end to the endless search for corporate cash and the endless quest to woo Republican voters at the expense of the party's base. And that is something that will never, ever happen while the current leadership controls the party. They have spent their entire careers showing that all they care about is wealthy campaign donors. They aren't going to change now. They don't want to.
The quiescent non- voters are the 18 to 35 year olds who must have noticed that only “families” have IMPORTANT political appeals for financial benefit through government .
The unavailability of housing for singles in mega cities is a big drag on career development and flexibility to choose new career opportunities . The burden of finding multiple room mates to pretend to be a “family” is a drag on the economy . They observe that their issue is not a “political “ issue “ , so why bother with politics ?
An intriguing observation… The only issue facing singles might be student loan forgiveness or environmental issues but other than these, I can’t think of anything else that might would help bring this group out. As for statewide elections, these things are not on the table anyways.
They care about equal rights a lot, as well as taxing the rich. I think it takes people time to get settled somewhere and finally register to vote?? They’re totally not apathetic, so it is very frustrating to see low turnouts of young people. I totally relate to the singles thing. And also, does a family have to have kids? Lots of us (I’m 38 so an old millennial I guess) think having kids is actually kind of immoral given climate change.
I was thinking of BLM especially in equal rights but I guess that goes in the policing issue more specifically also
Well, this ought to be a little help: https://democrats.org/news/new-reports-president-bidens-build-back-better-framework-will-boost-the-economy-cut-deficits/. Moody's says that the Build Back Better package“ will strengthen long-term economic growth, the benefits of which would mostly accrue to lower- and middle-income Americans.” and “Real GDP growth would average 3.2% per annum during Biden’s term and 2.2% over the next decade, compared with less than 2.8% and 2.1% per annum if the legislation fails to become law.” At least McConnell will now have to show his card as either a fascist or an authoritarian. (Fascists believe in combining government and business; authoritarians leave business out.)
This is good news in theory, but to be useful, one would have to assume that those Democrats causing the problems, or Republicans, or their voters, have at any point been basing their beliefs on facts. History has made it quite clear no report or amount of research or facts or proof or record of being wrong will shift these people from their positions. Dems need to start governing as if they are up against the tribal, parasitic, capitalist cult they are truly facing with its army of easily-influenced and selfish voters who will let the world burn before changing their mind.
At least the report confirms what I intuitively believed would happen if the BBB agenda were passed, however I also agree with you that it will probably have little impact on the vested narrow interests currently calling the shots.
Yup, great to have the facts on our side, but I feel like they only really matter these days when used to inspire those who already agree with a stance or those who haven't taken a position yet. As Robert previously pointed when it comes to the idea of small government, the GOP and their supporters don't really believe in many of the things they claim to care about these days, so providing contrary evidence seems fruitless until we return to a world with some semblance of accountability and credibility.
Unfortunately proving to be all too true.
:) Your definition of Fascism is how I learned it in school. :)
The swing against Democrats in Virginia was fairly uniform across geography — rural precincts, suburban precincts, urban precincts, Black precincts, white precincts, diverse precincts — and it was also visible in New Jersey. So the main causes are probably macro in nature rather than specific to Virginia.
It’s not really surprising that you’d see a broad swing against Democrats given that Joe Biden is dramatically less popular today than he was one year ago or even three months ago.
The MSM are - unsurprisingly - barking up the wrong tree again. In their hermetically sealed world they still think the cause of all the Democrat’s ills are “Racist insurrectionsries” or poor old Joe being “pulled too far left”. They aren’t coming to those ill-judged conclusions by themselves either, they are being fed this crap by “Democrat insiders” and the like.
I can’t see the Dems course correcting any time soon because the same clash between their stated aims as opposed to their donors requirements remains an immovable blockage, totally in contradiction with one another. It’s why their actions never match their words.
Once again all actions which would reinvigorate the Democratic Party but the premise is that a change in policy by the Dems would lead to a change in outcomes at the polls. The DNC continues to oppose candidates who primary incumbents irregardless of whether the incumbents behave like Manchin or just quietly take the corporate money. There is no incentive to bite the corporate money hand that feeds you. And so long as these incumbents win elections why should they not continue with this good thing. You can just blame the electorate. Even though a huge number of young people and disillusioned older voters don’t vote. The Republicans having noticed that the Dems are playing the corporate money game and are alienating their base are finding that they can turn this to their advantage by appealing to this base with false promises. Bernie was popular with precisely because he was doing exactly what you recommend.
So we can wait for the Republicans to wipe out the incumbent Democrats, wait for a younger version of Bernie to come along etc. and hope there is no Trump inspired rigging of the electoral system so that no Bernie type reformer can ever get elected or we can actually do something to put the fear of being thrown out of office front and center for incumbents.
The only way to do that is what Martin Luther King did, what the mobilization against the Vietnam War did, what the environmental movement in the early 1970s did, what the feminist movement of the late 1960s did.
Leaders on the left have to form a coalition to demand what was in the original BBB bill and mobilize the people to peacefully demonstrate for that in Washington. Pressure Congress. Make the on the take Democrats sweat out their future in Congress. Even upper middle class Dems who see nothing wrong with the incumbents will support electoral reforms that get the crooks out of office.
So rather than begging the incumbents let’s force them to answer to their angry constituents.
Ready to march!
Good idea! There are many Progressives down with ideas like yours!
My Republican U.S. senator posted a video on Facebook of a witness testifying in a hearing that, if corporate taxes were raised, wages of their ordinary workers would have to be reduced, and therefore it would really be a tax on workers. His rationalization was that prices couldn't be raised to compensate because consumers then would not buy the product, and shareholder dividends couldn't be reduced just because, so the only option would be to cut wages(!). This is what we are dealing with. If Democrats finally pass Build Back Better, they can't just rest on their laurels and hope their great policies will sell themselves. They need to vigorously campaign on how the legislation will benefit ordinary Americans and make the wealthy contribute their fair share. We don't need the 2022 version of death panels.
This is one reason we need strong unions.
The simplest proof that your Republican Senators are wrong or lying is the actions that corporations doing. I believe China has a Flat 25% corporate tax, France has 26% tax. Each of those countries has more Government rules than the United States, but yet still franchises like KFC and McDonalds have entered into those countries to do business. If taxes at 25% and State regulation were so detrimental for business, why are they still in those countries?
The idea that the Dems only need to change the message to attract more votes is simple, logical and wrong. The other side already has their message and it is going down well. All those people madly cheering the Florida Gov's speech on "how we ain't gonna bring that critical race stuff to our schools" knew what they were cheering for. A large segment of our population is fully behind the Trump agenda, they don't want no vaccines and they will decide for themselves whether to stop for red lights. Good luck trying to change those minds.
I live in Florida. And I went to a Private Evangelical Christian High School. And one of my majors was Theology. The Trump supporters act like a religious cult. I am not saying they are. But my experience with cult members is that they come from a life of personal pain. Some self-imposed, some self-pity, some abuse. You can't talk logic to a cult member while they are still a member of the cult. Just like a detox program, they must be pulled away from the cult and its followers and most importantly the leader, and then show that life can be lived beyond and hopefully without the personal pain. And that is why I think it is almost impossible to "get through" the average Florida Trump supporter.
if Trumpers are cultists then their opposition is too. Republicans see progressive democrats as cultists too. Tough to communicate with either. We got to get that polarization out of WDC. Which means downloading 98% of the flipping' administrative state to the states. Let the federal gov't be a bare-bones back up and outward protector of the crazy states comprising the USA
Unfortunately the Dems don’t have a majority of three or four in the Senate, so they could absorb no votes from the Manchin, Sinema, etc. corporate Dems. Therefore, the five corporate and billionaire taxes you propose are probably dead on arrival.
We absorbed the Trump tax cuts on billionaires and corporations with no lasting benefit to working and middle class Americans. At least if the BBB and infrastructure bills pass, even without immediate means of paying for them, it will benefit those who need it. Some economists are saying that our economy can absorb that scenario because in the yers to come those benefits to the working classes will benefit the whole economy.
BBB and infrastructure bills are affordable. Even at 3 Trillion, it is 3 Trillion over 10 years. So, in reality, it is only 300 Billion. The USA GDP in 2020 was 20 Trillion. So it is finding 1.5% out of the US economy that would stimulate a larger return in the future USA GDP which in turn reduces the percentage from the over GDP. The USA forgave 7 Trillion dollars in PPP loans in one year while giving out huge tax breaks to corporations and the rich, the Democrats should be screaming at the top of their lungs, that this is more than affordable.