United States 1776-2021

[angrychair]

Good while it lasted.

insurrectionist traitors - unaccountable and free

Republicans - unaccountable and free

Trump - unaccountable and free

Elizabeth Willing Powel asked Dr. Franklin:
"Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy?" To which Benjamin Franklin replied, "A republic if you can keep it.”

From the Journal of James McHenry of Maryland, 1787

Apparently we couldn't keep it.

[roamer65]

1. We still have it.

For now.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Barely.

[roamer65]

4. Yup.

[budkin]

2. We won the WH and Senate

We now have work to do.

[Irish_Dem]

5. A great deal of work, yes. We have to roll up our sleeves.

[angrychair]

9. For now

The Senate just gave their official permission for it to be attacked again.

First attempts at a coup are rarely successful. Second attempts, barring significant changes, usually are.

[PJMcK]

6. I admire your optimism

(wink)

[old guy]

7. You said what I'm thinking.

[Rick Rolle]

8. The Republic seems pretty solid to me

The system worked, although the outcome was not what many hoped for. Now it is up to us to work within the system to oust those who voted against law and order. If enough of the enablers are voted out of office, those voted in will see that it is in their best interest to do what we, the voters, demand. Right now, there are 43 Senators who put loyalty to their party above their sworn duty to the Constitution. Come next election, we need to make certain they understand that they were wrong.

[angrychair]

11. Love your optimism

I wish it were true but gerrymandered districts and voter suppression laws say different.

Barring significant changes we just had our last free and fair election.

[Rick Rolle]

16. We need to think/vote locally

Voting districts are created at the state level. It is easier to effect change at the state level than at the national level. If you want voting districts that allow for an actual free, fair vote, then you have to get at least 51% of the state legislature on your side. Change is possible. Take Georgia, for instance. For decades, Georgia was a solidly Democratic-voting state. It changed, and for at least the past 25 years it has been a Republican-voting state. Now it appears to have swung back to the left. That didn't happen by accident. A lot of people worked hard to get out the vote, and to get Democratic candidates on the slate and into the job.

The momentum is shifting, just keep pushing.

[Turin_C3PO]

10. We have the executive branch

and the legislature. We’re in a much better position than the fascists.

[angrychair]

15. You realize this vote says different?

We are almost 2 months in and Republicans continue to block our ability to have an AG?

Gerrymandering and ever increasing voter suppression laws say different.

I mean have you seen the laws coming out of some states? Some Republican legislatures and state governments are barely a hair away from ordering the outtight arrest of Democrats.

I mean they managed to get a recall vote of the govenor of California, a state that, on paper, Democrats have a super majority in.

[Turin_C3PO]

17. All we can do is vote the assholes out.

I know I’ll be spending a lot of time on the phones and knocking on doors for 2022. It’s all we can do.

[Hugin]

28. But, the Senate just gave a nod it's a-okay to attack the Capitol...

If you're unhappy with how the vote went.

So, voting doesn't do shit any longer. It's now who ever has the craziest mob is in charge. Like every other shithole country in the World.

[Turin_C3PO]

29. I'm unhappy about how it went, of course,

but I try not to get consumed about stuff I can’t control and work on stuff that I can. And that includes working to get Dems elected.

[Hugin]

32. They may get elected, but, will they be allowed to serve?

You see it how you see it and I'm telling you how it's panned out everywhere else, ever.

Trump will have his Twitter account back by the end of next week. Then someplace WILL be attacked in 2022, if not before, based on who the mob wants in there.

This is what happens when terrorists are dealt with like they are legitimate and have rights.

[Turin_C3PO]

33. I don't think it'll happen like that

but if it did, what good does it do to worry about? That’s what I’m saying. We should all do what we can to prevent catastrophe but I’m not going to let it ruin my mental health.

[angrychair]

30. Exactly my fear

And my point. Thank you.

[Ms. Toad]

27. 24 days is almost 2 months? n/t

[angrychair]

31. Garland was announced

As Biden's pick on January 7th. That was over a month ago. The vote, best case, won't be until March 1st if people like Lindsey Graham don't find ways to keep delaying the vote.

Just shy of 2 months (almost 2 months)

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/07/biden-introduces-attorney-general-pick-merrick-garland-vows-doj-independence.html

[Rick Rolle]

20. Agreed

But the federal government doesn't make the voting districts. If we want change, Democrats need to take back control of state legislatures.

Pass laws at the state level. Take back power from Washington and make decisions at the state level, or better yet, at the county/city level. Minimum wage laws, voting districts, health care reform, and education reform can all be enacted at local and/or state levels.

The problem is, Democratic control of Congress is, at best, transitory. Historically speaking, the Democrats are likely to lose seats in the House at the midterm elections. It is even possible they will lose the majority. Also, Representatives will have to start campaigning by the end of this year. Subtract their summer break time, and in reality, they have only a few months left to get anything done. After that, all bets are off.

Your state and local reps, on the other hand, are far more likely to listen to what you have to say. They understand it is far easier to vote them out of office than it is to unseat a Senator or Representative. Make them afraid of your vote, and the votes of your friends, and they'll listen to you. Fear of losing their position is the only thing politicians respond to, at least from the general public.

[Hekate]

12. Not over yet, thank you

[Hoyt]

13. Voters -- the ultimate court -- removed trump when it counted, we are good.

[Rick Rolle]

22. Exactly!

Now it's time to remove some Senators, and replace them with some who will do what they're told by us. Threaten their reelection and you've got their attention.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. Don't be ridiculous. We have the presidency, the House and the Senate.

There's a lot of work to be done but we're a long way from finished.

[angrychair]

18. Not that I dont hope you're right

We are almost 2 months in and Republicans continue to block our ability to have an AG (yes, on paper the vote should happen in March)

Gerrymandering and ever increasing voter suppression laws paint a very different picture going forward.

I mean have you seen the laws coming out of some states? Some Republican legislatures and state governments are barely a hair away from ordering the out-right arrest of Democrats.

I mean they managed to get a recall vote of the govenor of California, a state that, on paper, Democrats have a super majority in.

Yes, I could be wrong. You could be right.

Unfortunately for the both of us, the US Senate just told the terrorists it was "ok" to be terrorists and attack the Capitol. That creates a very different dynamic. One not in our favor.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

25. Yet somehow managed to lose more State seats, just in time for redistricting.

[GOPistheEnemy]

19. IF we want it still we are going to have to get mean mad dog mean, no quarter, no mercy

if one does not have the stomach for it you are no longer of any use.

[Bucky]

21. Oh, don't be melodramatic

I've been seeing the same post every time Republicans get a big victory. The Iraq invasion, the 2004 and 2016 elections...

This what they mean by the moral arc of the universe is long.

This is exactly the outcome that everyone knew was going to happen. If anything, Senators Burr & Cassidy were a welcome surprise.

You can be disappointed in your country and still have a country. Shit, it's practically a way of life around here

[angrychair]

24. Its not about being "disappointed"

This vote is unlike any impeachment vote in history.

This vote tells the terrorists that attacking and trying to harm members of Congress is acceptable political discourse.

The US Senate literally gave the green light to the next attack.

Don't believe me? Don't have to. Watch what people around trump start saying and doing. Its already starting if you are looking at what white supremacists and other trumpers are saying.

They think Republicans are on their side now.

[Bucky]

26. I have no doubt that there will be more white supremacist terrorism

But it's not going to happen because of this acquittal. It's going to happen because of a much larger pattern of Republican encouragement of antisocial violence masquerading as patriotism.

That doesn't mean the country is "over". It just means we have more work to do

[electric_blue68]

23. No. And we have even more serious work to do to continue it

[Mr.Bill]

34. Right now there are two kinds of republicans in the Senate.

Those who voted guilty and those who will wish they had.

[myohmy2]

35. it's gone down hill a little bit...

...hasn't it?

...