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sarchasm

(1,242 posts)
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 06:34 AM Jan 16

Democrats and the Ruthless Aggression Era

America needs a real opposition party.
Jonathan V. Last • Jan 09, 2025

We’ve got another moment in which professional wrestling provides the key to understanding American politics. But we have to build up to it. I hope you’ll take the ride with me.

1. Irrelevant

Democrats in Washington are, as a matter of governing, irrelevant for the next year.

They cannot pass or propose legislation. They cannot hold hearings. They are in no position to stop the Trump administration from doing whatever it wants.

The job of the Democratic party, then is to get into position to get into position. That job comes in two parts.

First: Do not help Republicans. Not in any way. On any issue. Republicans can’t pass a budget, or raise the debt ceiling? Tough luck. Do not provide them any bailout votes on any issue. Period, the end.

Second: Make Donald Trump own every bad outcome that happens, anywhere in the world while paying special attention to areas where Republicans are particularly vulnerable. Like housing and Ukraine.

I’m kind of obsessed with housing costs. To start with, housing was the one valid economic complaint people had during the Biden years. Take a look at the Case-Shiller index, which tracks changes in U.S. home prices:

Democrats ought to talk about housing all day, every day. Make it the new price of eggs.

Then there’s Ukraine. …

cont…

https://www.thebulwark.com/p/democrats-and-the-ruthless-aggression
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everyonematters

(3,662 posts)
1. I agree with him on housing. This is another issue where the Republicans have nothing to offer.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 07:57 AM
Jan 16

We need to make this a cornerstone issue. On Ukraine, this is more complicated because we don't have troops there. Wars become unpopular when we lose a substantial number of troops. As far as not helping them, they have been dysfunctional as a governing party for some time now. That's due to the fact that the base is manipulated by the right-wing media for ratings, and they influence the politicians. The Democrats just need to stay focused on the kitchen table issues such as the housing crises.

4catsmom

(478 posts)
2. I agree with this totally
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 12:25 PM
Jan 16

but probably won't happen. something has happened to the spine of Democrats - same thing that has already happened to Republicans

AverageOldGuy

(2,459 posts)
4. I have every faith . . .
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 12:35 PM
Jan 16

. . . that Democrats, led by our octogenarians like Pelosi, Schumer, and the like will reach across the aisle, come to accommodations, and get rolled at every turn.

PortTack

(35,241 posts)
5. The Dems are in a position to stop the agenda. According to Hakeem Jeffries the gqp with a 3 vote advantage
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 12:54 PM
Jan 16

Won’t pass anything

Beartracks

(13,683 posts)
7. Yep. Let Republicans put their money where their mouth is.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 04:04 PM
Jan 16

Their very loud and lying mouth.

Let Republicans prove to America what they can (supposedly) do. They can't very well blame their failures on "Democrats not helping," since they always campaign on the notion that Democrats have (supposedly) been the problem.

============

Skittles

(161,790 posts)
10. see, that's where you are wrong
Fri Jan 17, 2025, 12:05 AM
Jan 17

repukes are treated like white men, while Dems are treated like women and POC - not only do Dems have to be twice as good to be considered half as good, they are BLAMED for everything regardless of the circumstances

Beartracks

(13,683 posts)
11. Oh. Wow. That's deeply accurate.
Fri Jan 17, 2025, 08:16 PM
Jan 17

IOKIYAR. And the media isn't a help at all. They treat Dems as the opposition party even when they're in power.

================

Skittles

(161,790 posts)
12. yup
Fri Jan 17, 2025, 08:19 PM
Jan 17

it's also the reason why only Dems are expected to play nice and compromise, and get trashed for anger and agression

WestMichRad

(2,023 posts)
9. I somewhat disagree with the first point.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 07:22 PM
Jan 16

“Do not help the Republicans on any issue.”
If they (Rs) can’t get a bill thru that they really want passed, it’s an opportunity for leverage by the Dems, to water down the Republican bill and extract a price by getting something important that Dems wouldn’t be able to get otherwise.

Just saying, may not be in our best interest to be absolutist about giving them no help.

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