Ohio Dem says many in party 'can't understand' working-class concerns

[Klaralven]

A Democratic colleague of Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) recently suggested a simple solution to the economic problems afflicting the industrial Midwest.

“ ‘Well, Congresswoman Kaptur, the answer is: Leave,’ ” Kaptur says she was told by the Democratic member, whom she declined to name.

Kaptur, whose district includes her hometown of Toledo, where she grew up the daughter of a union organizer, was appalled.

“They just can’t understand,” she told The Hill. “They can’t understand a family that sticks together because that’s what they have. Their loved ones are what they have, their little town, their home, as humble as it is — that’s what they have. Respect it. It was so insensitive.”

The story is part of a bigger narrative for Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress.

She fears that her party is increasingly dominated by members representing affluent districts — and that the social mores of rich coastal cities are sidelining kitchen-table economic concerns.

In terms of senior leadership, “it’s been very hard for regions like mine, which have had great economic attrition, to get fair standing, in my opinion,” she says.

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/536860-the-memo-ohio-dem-says-many-in-party-cant-understand-working-class-concerns

[atreides1]

1. Nuts!!!

She declined to name the Democratic member who told her to leave...if I don't like it when the Republicans do the same thing, I like it even less when a Democrat does it!!

Would this be the same working class that worship Trump without question, that proudly march under Nazi and Confederate flags, that always seem to defend killer cops...that working class?

Maybe the problem isn't the Democratic party...maybe the problem is Ohio...maybe Kaptur needs to look deeper into what's going on within the borders of Ohio and at the state capital...where a racist was just made chair of the Senate Health Committee, after saying that African Americans and "colored" people don't wash their hands as well as others!!!

[whathehell]

2. That's how far they've drifted from their roots..

As a union organizer's daughter, like me, Rep. Kaptur would know all about that.

[JHB]

3. There's more than one "they" there...

How many have heard Republicans call us baby-killing socialists who want to grab their guns and hand out their hard-earned money to an army of shiftless layabouts (wink wink, those people) and believed them? Voted in the very people whose ideology says it's right for them to lose their jobs and scramble to keep body and soul together?

In how many places in Ohio can one easily find Democratic messaging? Hint: not even close to the way all you have to do to encounter Republican messaging is to turn on an AM radio or basic cable.

[JI7]

4. The Midwest Had Candidates like Ted STrikland and Russ Feingold who were pro union , critical of

free trade deals . But the people of those states voted for Free Trade, anti Union , Republicans like Ron Johnson and Portman .

They voted for fucking Donald Trump twice .

[Squinch]

6. This. Progressive Democrats are well represented in the party. But they come from other

places than Ohio. Because they can't get elected in Ohio.

[Cosmocat]

7. WINNER

Elections have consequences.

Instead of voting for progressive dems who would have worked more toward their REAL interests, these people relentlessly vote for sociopathic Rs who sells out their financial interests EVERY time while whispering sweet nothings about the evil liberal boogyman to them - winning then over by appealing to their lesser instincts.

If the fucking voted dem in the first place ... but, hey, abortion, transexuals, mexicans, etc.

They get what they vote for.

[Klaralven]

9. Blaming the electorate doesn't really work in politics

[Fullduplexxx]

11. In your opinion

[Demsrule86]

17. Well what changed in Ohio over the years no matter who they voted for? Actions speak louder than

words. And blaming the electorate for an election loss will surely cause you to lose more elections. I will give you an example. Ohio went twice for President Obama... and there was a real feeling of betrayal here with the TPP. I live in Ohio and saw it first hand. I was always against the TPP but I would never vote for worthless GOP types no matter what. Did you know the TPP allowed some countries to use slave labor?

'So the fast track plan to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership has run into a new wrinkle after an amendment passed in the Senate debate: slavery. Yes, really, slavery: the Senate voted for an amendment that would make it more difficult for countries that engage in slavery to be in the TPP, and the Obama administration objected. This is bizarre stuff, folks, but welcome to the world of international trade deals..."

First of all make it difficult! Any country engaged in slavery should be allowed in any trade agreement. The idea was that if we didn't forbid countries who were involved in slavery like Malaysia from participating we could encourage them to end the practice of slavery...I highly doubt that would have happened. But it is madness to expect American workers to compete against those who are slaves. And companies are rewarded for sending jobs overseas with tax breaks.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/slavery-really_b_7462932

[Demsrule86]

14. That is because nothing ever changed. It is not enough to run on these issues...you

have to implement policy...I have heard my neighbors joke about seeing Democrats only when it is election time. Also, how many politicians on our side have advocated re-training for non-existent jobs or opined 'the jobs are not coming back'. I am hopeful that Biden will give Ohio and other midwestern states a reason for vote for us.

[Squinch]

5. Oh, God. Not this shit again. Was she sitting in a diner wearing a baseball cap when she said it?

Can we please give this administration 5 minutes before we start this shit?

[Demsrule86]

15. This isn't about Biden. This is about Ohio Democrats. And yeah, we need new leadership.

They don't mind losing and are way to comfy with their minority status...I am not talking about our elected who have complained about this before...but party leaders.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. It's true, less affluent districts turning toward Republicans -- but it's not because of "working-

class concerns." It's because Republicans offer easy answers of populism, racism and promises of "going back" to things that aren't sustainable, and Democrats haven't found a way to sell the message that the government can invest in one or two industries that might keep a smaller town going, but (a) it's up to the people there to organize those jobs into the union jobs they remember, (b) it's up to the people to push employers to invest in their communities, (c) it's up to the people to build cultural and social opportunities to keep young people around, and (d) some people will leave that small town anyway, because people are much more mobile than they used to be, and if you're still bigoted after all that, you're going to drive people away.

See? How do you summarize all that?

[Demsrule86]

16. You have to understand the MidWest...lots of those now 'less affluent' districts used to be

affluent and it is about manufacturing and jobs...sure there is racism because the Republican party lies to them and say POC get all the help while they get nothing...but it is rooted in a lack of good jobs. Biden often says that a job is more than a paycheck and that is true...it is about dignity and providing for your family. And many who have been tossed aside because of bad trade deals and globalization are bitter and angry. And as an auto wife, I understand that.

Along comes Trump who promises them jobs...what did people think would happen? I think we have an opportunity to rebuild these hard hit areas and also in the south...where many garment factories once existed. The current trade laws do not favor working Americans...and it is not just blue collar jobs that are being lost but white collar jobs too now...in computers, accounting, banking and other fields. We need to have a jobs plan for manufacturing in order to rebuild using green technology. We also need a jobs plan period... in order discourage American companies from sending jobs overseas. Right now, they tax breaks for doing this...make them pay a price for their actions. And reward those companies that keep jobs here. Stand up for working families and we will defeat the GOP ...just watch.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

19. .

You have to understand the MidWest

I've lived in the Midwest almost my entire life; I know it very well.

...lots of those now 'less affluent' districts used to be affluent and it is about manufacturing and jobs...

Yes, I live in one now. Solid blue for decades while relying on extractive industry money and not diversifying. Automation and a changing market have made it poorer, and it's turned into a red district.

sure there is racism because the Republican party lies to them and say POC get all the help while they get nothing...but it is rooted in a lack of good jobs.

I can assure you that there was plenty of racism in this district when people were employed and made union money.

[Iggo]

10. My dog just asked me what all the whistling was about.

[whathehell]

12. What did you tell your dog?

[Iggo]

13. "I see white people."

[whathehell]

18. That's funny, because I'd have said

"I see black people"