I’ve been a teacher for most of my life. Teaching energizes me and enables me to stay curious and present. The best part of teaching is the community conversation, the energy humming in a room as questions find answers which find more questions. While I can’t look each of you in the eyes to see your mind gears turning (and I doubt all of you could fit in my office), I’d love for you to join me for Office Hours here every Wednesday.
Democrats will have to give up on the idea that present-day Republicans are reasonable and willing to be bi-partisan. Dems need to develop stronger spines, use their power to overturn filibuster, expand SCOTUS, and just take off the damn gloves!
Tough call because there really isn't a coherent Democratic party anymore. The largest block are corporate democrats who are basically indistinguishable at this point from Gingrich republicans. Same policies, same donors... not a coincidence. Sigh. Then you have a block of progressives, the true core of which is still quite small. These folks, as a group, have been reluctant to cohesively push their agenda in knife-edge balance in the house. If not now, when? Then you have a block (of 2 in the Senate, and maybe 5-10 in the House) who are basically from Republican states and who would, in most previous decades, be "moderate" republicans. Since that species no longer exists, they are basically forced to run as Democrats.
None of these groups actually has a majority, and they have shown little willingness to actually band together, compromise on some edge points, and ram through any kind of legislation that would actually help the vast majority of Americans in their everyday lives.
While the situation is complicated, the only real reasons for getting little done lie with a Democratic unwillingness to do it. Were the Democrats united in, and committed to, delivering results for the people (rather than for donors), they could do so at any time (well, up until they get smoked in the midterms for not doing so). They haven't which tells you all you really need to know. Judge actions, not words.
Current grade: D- (and the trend is down, not up... this student should be brought to the attention of his advisor)
The Democrats haven't used their majority effectively, they need to quit trying to bargain with Republicans who are just hoping to run out the clock and get to the mid term elections. I am particularly disappointed in senate Democrats because they haven't put political pressure on Joe Manchin to get him on board. I wish they would expose him for what he is, a Democrat in name only who constantly undermines the agenda that the majority of Americans voted for.
Robert, I’m curious to know how much donations matter in all this. I sign petitions and make comments as often as possible, but am frustrated by continual requests for donations. As much as I’d like to contribute, I’m lucky to make it month to month.
You know the saying “ Don’t bring a 🔪 to a 🔫 fight… it seems the Dems who control the House, Senate and White House have come armed with “strong words” which have been clearly ineffective in getting the work done that is necessary to save our nation. Voting rights are circling the drain as are reproductive rights, our infrastructure is falling apart and gun violence and sales are booming. One might have thought we’d have learned a few things by now….
The Democrats are doing what they always do - squander their majority .....It's so frustrating - and someone else said it here - they don't push hard enough when it really matters. This is what 'moderate' got us the middle of nowhere. I wish I could be more hopeful.
failing grade? failure to eliminate the filibuster shows cowardice and willingness to ignore undemocratic and racism based rules that could be terminal for all of us. wake up. it may already be too late.
I'm extremely disappointed that the Dems are squandering the chances of several lifetimes. Through trying to play "fair" with Rethuglicans that own the book on playing dirty, to allowing "moderates" to control what does and doesn't get done, to letting Manchin and Sinema even stay as Dems since they are both DINOs. They need to let Bernie and the Gang takeover and get things done. NOW!
Giving obstructionist Republicans the option of bipartisanship is the equivalent to giving climate deniers equal time on the news as the scientists. Ultimately, it's a delay tactic and very counterproductive!
Thus far Congress has been very effective in fulfilling Biden's campaign message, stating that under his administration, "nothing would fundamentally change." I'm extremely frustrated with how little has been done since January while Democrats hold the House, Senate, and Executive branch all at the same time. It is likely that they will lose seats in the 2022 midterms, and should they lose the House and/or Senate majority, it will only become that much harder to push through an agenda to help the working class and protect civil rights. And if we lose enough of those seats, it is very likely (in my opinion) that we will not get any meaningful legislation passed before 2024 due to obstructionists like Mitch McConnell.
I am desperate to see more of a backbone from the progressive caucus when it comes to enacting their agenda. I understand there is a game to politics and at times you have to work to please people behind the scenes, but I worry that some members will start to bow too easily to the whims of a party leadership. I hope that they will fulfill their promise to withhold votes should their demands not be met on items like the infrastructure and voting rights bills. Ir Manchin and Sinema can do it with their two votes, they can do the same with a much larger voting block.
I'll look forward to have a 'conversation' with you. I highly respect your opinions and want to find some concrete actions that I can take to help turn this country around. I think that Dems in Congress should be bolder, enough with 'Mr/Ms NiceGuy/Gal'. Cheers
Pathetic, embarrassing. Their disunity stems from two real problems. (1) the "party" never had the discussion they needed to have after Bernie Sanders proved they weren't listening to the 99 percent; and (2) congress remains a "millionaires club" sucking up money from K street, yes, even on the democrats' side. Highlights that a multi-party system would be more capable of governing.
Because I view voting rights as preservative of every other right, it will serve as my iterative example for comment. For several months we have observed GOP controlled state legislatures unilaterally pass bill after bill that restricts voting. At the same time, certain Senate Democrats thus far have refused, without support from Republicans, to pass legislation that would ensure (1) that all eligible voters easily could register to vote and stay enrolled and (2) that eligible votes were cast, counted correctly, and certified without interference and without their being diluted through partisan gerrymandering. Be it a failure to change the Senate rules to advance voting legislation or a failure to pull together to advance a human infrastructure reconciliation package, I fear that Democrats surely could lose control of one or both Houses in 22 and the White House in 24.
I fear/believe that many Congressional Democrats are so heavily invested [!] in their corporate funding that they will block any action they see as a risk to that funding -- e.g., taxing corporations, taxing uber-wealthy individuals, halting support for fossil fuel industries.
Friends, I'm going to have to head off now. Hope this was helpful to you. (I hope this newsletter is helpful, too!).
Democrats will have to give up on the idea that present-day Republicans are reasonable and willing to be bi-partisan. Dems need to develop stronger spines, use their power to overturn filibuster, expand SCOTUS, and just take off the damn gloves!
Tough call because there really isn't a coherent Democratic party anymore. The largest block are corporate democrats who are basically indistinguishable at this point from Gingrich republicans. Same policies, same donors... not a coincidence. Sigh. Then you have a block of progressives, the true core of which is still quite small. These folks, as a group, have been reluctant to cohesively push their agenda in knife-edge balance in the house. If not now, when? Then you have a block (of 2 in the Senate, and maybe 5-10 in the House) who are basically from Republican states and who would, in most previous decades, be "moderate" republicans. Since that species no longer exists, they are basically forced to run as Democrats.
None of these groups actually has a majority, and they have shown little willingness to actually band together, compromise on some edge points, and ram through any kind of legislation that would actually help the vast majority of Americans in their everyday lives.
While the situation is complicated, the only real reasons for getting little done lie with a Democratic unwillingness to do it. Were the Democrats united in, and committed to, delivering results for the people (rather than for donors), they could do so at any time (well, up until they get smoked in the midterms for not doing so). They haven't which tells you all you really need to know. Judge actions, not words.
Current grade: D- (and the trend is down, not up... this student should be brought to the attention of his advisor)
The Democrats haven't used their majority effectively, they need to quit trying to bargain with Republicans who are just hoping to run out the clock and get to the mid term elections. I am particularly disappointed in senate Democrats because they haven't put political pressure on Joe Manchin to get him on board. I wish they would expose him for what he is, a Democrat in name only who constantly undermines the agenda that the majority of Americans voted for.
Robert, I’m curious to know how much donations matter in all this. I sign petitions and make comments as often as possible, but am frustrated by continual requests for donations. As much as I’d like to contribute, I’m lucky to make it month to month.
You know the saying “ Don’t bring a 🔪 to a 🔫 fight… it seems the Dems who control the House, Senate and White House have come armed with “strong words” which have been clearly ineffective in getting the work done that is necessary to save our nation. Voting rights are circling the drain as are reproductive rights, our infrastructure is falling apart and gun violence and sales are booming. One might have thought we’d have learned a few things by now….
The Democrats are doing what they always do - squander their majority .....It's so frustrating - and someone else said it here - they don't push hard enough when it really matters. This is what 'moderate' got us the middle of nowhere. I wish I could be more hopeful.
the obstructionists are ruining everything
failing grade? failure to eliminate the filibuster shows cowardice and willingness to ignore undemocratic and racism based rules that could be terminal for all of us. wake up. it may already be too late.
I'm extremely disappointed that the Dems are squandering the chances of several lifetimes. Through trying to play "fair" with Rethuglicans that own the book on playing dirty, to allowing "moderates" to control what does and doesn't get done, to letting Manchin and Sinema even stay as Dems since they are both DINOs. They need to let Bernie and the Gang takeover and get things done. NOW!
Giving obstructionist Republicans the option of bipartisanship is the equivalent to giving climate deniers equal time on the news as the scientists. Ultimately, it's a delay tactic and very counterproductive!
Thus far Congress has been very effective in fulfilling Biden's campaign message, stating that under his administration, "nothing would fundamentally change." I'm extremely frustrated with how little has been done since January while Democrats hold the House, Senate, and Executive branch all at the same time. It is likely that they will lose seats in the 2022 midterms, and should they lose the House and/or Senate majority, it will only become that much harder to push through an agenda to help the working class and protect civil rights. And if we lose enough of those seats, it is very likely (in my opinion) that we will not get any meaningful legislation passed before 2024 due to obstructionists like Mitch McConnell.
I am desperate to see more of a backbone from the progressive caucus when it comes to enacting their agenda. I understand there is a game to politics and at times you have to work to please people behind the scenes, but I worry that some members will start to bow too easily to the whims of a party leadership. I hope that they will fulfill their promise to withhold votes should their demands not be met on items like the infrastructure and voting rights bills. Ir Manchin and Sinema can do it with their two votes, they can do the same with a much larger voting block.
I'll look forward to have a 'conversation' with you. I highly respect your opinions and want to find some concrete actions that I can take to help turn this country around. I think that Dems in Congress should be bolder, enough with 'Mr/Ms NiceGuy/Gal'. Cheers
Pathetic, embarrassing. Their disunity stems from two real problems. (1) the "party" never had the discussion they needed to have after Bernie Sanders proved they weren't listening to the 99 percent; and (2) congress remains a "millionaires club" sucking up money from K street, yes, even on the democrats' side. Highlights that a multi-party system would be more capable of governing.
Because I view voting rights as preservative of every other right, it will serve as my iterative example for comment. For several months we have observed GOP controlled state legislatures unilaterally pass bill after bill that restricts voting. At the same time, certain Senate Democrats thus far have refused, without support from Republicans, to pass legislation that would ensure (1) that all eligible voters easily could register to vote and stay enrolled and (2) that eligible votes were cast, counted correctly, and certified without interference and without their being diluted through partisan gerrymandering. Be it a failure to change the Senate rules to advance voting legislation or a failure to pull together to advance a human infrastructure reconciliation package, I fear that Democrats surely could lose control of one or both Houses in 22 and the White House in 24.
I fear/believe that many Congressional Democrats are so heavily invested [!] in their corporate funding that they will block any action they see as a risk to that funding -- e.g., taxing corporations, taxing uber-wealthy individuals, halting support for fossil fuel industries.