Mary Trump tweet!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Link to tweet

?s=20

[elleng]

1. Strategery

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. :)

Link to tweet

?s=19

[triron]

37. Mary does have a point.

[Doreen]

2. I hate to say this but that is what I have been wondering.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

5. You and 166k people who liked. :)

[Thekaspervote]

3. I love you Mary..but please don't say that! It isn't true and only furthers the qgop agenda

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. The way SHE feels isn't true?

[Magoo48]

16. Agreed, I feel the same way. Should we hide how we feel?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

26. I don't guess Mary was asking WHY she felt that way - just

saying she did. But it is interesting to hypothesize as to why, huh?

[triron]

38. I would like to hear much more from her. She knows tyrant Don pretty well.

[Cha]

13. Exactly, Kasper.. We have the power..

It was 57 to 43. The World got to see what a Treasonous murdering asshole the Traitor is.

We wouldn't have been able to see that if the gop****** had the majority in the Senate.

This plays into Victimhood & we're not.. We're Strong & Brilliant.. The Democratic presentation was Powerful:

[Polybius]

53. It's not true?

Please explain.

[JI7]

4. Becsuse Democrats are actually about helping people

the difference in parties isn't just about 2 different plans with the same goal.

It's about Republicans not even wanting to deal with the issue so they just keep things from coming to a vote.

Democrats actually are trying to pass things so they need to actually get support from others for it.

Republicans also mostly represent racist white people while Democrats ard more diverse.

Also Republicans don't always get what they want. They opposed most of the things like the stimulus checks that help people. People said it was not good enough but if it was just up to Republicans we would not have gotten those things either.

You also have situations where unions want things like drilling and other things which are harmful to the environment . This is the real reason many union members apart from racists vote Republican.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. Good answer - makes sense. That explains why it feels that way..

[moonscape]

9. Yes. And because they will use any immoral, unethical

strategy to get what they want.

They have a super-majority on the Supreme Court, while it never would have occurred to us to do what they did.

We are regularly in a position to play by new rules because we aren’t the ones going around breaking stuff.

[nam78_two]

19. Agree mostly-but religion is also a huge factor

While there is an overlap, people less wedded to other isms are still wedded to their lunatic religious beliefs.

Across the globe, it is a set of cults expert at brain-washing. They are programming people with socially accepted delusions.

Apologies if this seems like a workaround community rules re: civility. I have no ill-will towards the religious, but imho it should be a private thing in any democracy. It has no similarity to rationality/consensus based rules.

I see abortion-bashing posts and don't alert (though I think they are lunatic). So, I hope some plain speaking about religion is ok.

[JI7]

21. Black and Hispanic people are more religious than white people in the US

White Republicans are just racist. They hid behind religion and fake concern for abortion but their support for Trump exposed what they are about.

[RandySF]

8. Because the Constitution is still set up to preserve White supremacy.

[JI7]

11. Moderates were elected by Moderates . And without the moderates things would be even worse. This

type of thing totally ignores the real problem which is white racism which is what the Republican Party is all about.

It blames minorities for white racists .

[Cha]

12. Bull.. Please Stop Bashing Democrats..

They are Powerful and Brilliant!

[ariadne0614]

14. It feels that way because we've been sold only one brand of power.

We’re conditioned to define power as “masculine”—authority imposed with hard, ruthless,
chest-thumping, feces-flinging displays of primitive aggression. We dismiss the “soft” power of negotiation, diplomacy, collaboration, egalitarianism and reason as “feminine,” therefore weak.

In other words, authoritarianism=“masculine”=power; and democracy=“feminine”=weakness. Brand R or Brand D. Take your pick.

[llmart]

22. +1000

I couldn't agree more.

[crickets]

41. Well said. nt

[ariadne0614]

43. Thanks. It's nice to know I'm not alone. n/t

[Soxfan58]

15. We are not unscrupulous assholes

Who chose to be a pimple on the ass of progress. Obstruction is easier than compromise.

[Aussie105]

17. I have two dogs (bear with me)

One is polite, undemanding, asks for nothing and appreciates what he gets - be it food, kind words, cuddles.

The other, his litter mate, is a bully. Forces him away from his food bowl if I let her, constantly demanding, constantly jealous of any attention he gets.

Now I ask you, which dog gets scolded, gets an occasional kick up the backside, and is watched closely for bad behavior most of the time?

Republicans and Democrats, two dogs with different personalities. One can be trusted, the other not.

Republicans need to be constantly reminded that they are NOT in power, do NOT set the rules, and their words of complaint and criticism need to fall on deaf ears. Then they may eventually behave.
But trust them enough to think they will work co-operatively with Democrats for the common good of the people? That's never going to happen!

[Irish_Dem]

18. I keep feeling the same way.

[ananda]

20. Another perspective

It might be hard for a person raised among Nazis
to understand the true meaning of power.

Also, on the national level the Dems are doing rather well.

It’s the courts I’m worried about.

[Kid Berwyn]

23. "That's some catch, that Catch-22."

“It’s the best there is.”

The combined fortune of the nation’s 660 billionaires as of Monday, January 18, 2021 was $4.1 trillion, up 38.6% from their collective net worth of just under $3 trillion on March 18, 2020, the rough start of the pandemic, based on Forbes data compiled in this report by the Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) and the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS). There have been 46 newly minted billionaires since the beginning of the pandemic, when there were 614.

...

https://inequality.org/great-divide/updates-billionaire-pandemic/

The “Why” in power.

[Sunsky]

24. OMG I often ask the same question

This has been my observation as well.
Also, when Republicans win, we need to cater to their supporters' needs and when Democrats win, we must cuddle the emotions of the losing Republican supporters.
This mindset is engraved in our society from the media, the politicians, and the citizenry as a whole. This is why Republicans must appease their supporters while Democratic voters give deference to the viewpoint and actions of the politicians. Disagreement with the actions of the political class is frowned upon by us because "they know best."

[maxrandb]

25. Because that's what the media wants you to feel

Seriously, if you just listened to the media, you'd think President Obama's presidency was a waste as he was thwarted at every turn by the "strategically superior" Retrumplican Party, and not the most consequential and accomplished progressive presidency since FDR

The media must always portray Democrats as "feckless" and Retrumplicans as powerful.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

31. To me the feeling is automatic and has nothing to do with the media.

the media. For me, it's more about no matter how much obvious guilt there is they seem to get away with it - regardless of who is in charge. Cheney and Bush, Iraq War, Mueller findings, Trump's negligent homicide with covid-19, and then a bloody insurrection of the Federal govt.

[Cha]

40. TY for the Reality Check, maxrandb

[Bettie]

27. I tend to agree with her

It is what it feels like.

Even in the minority, Republicans have no problem using anything they can to stop legislation. They use their "secret holds" the filibuster, and a whole host of maneuvers.

When Democrats are in the minority, it seems that none of those are not available.

[Turin_C3PO]

29. Bottom line is that

we can do reconciliation twice a year which requires only a simple majority. The rest of the bills are subject to the filibuster which we can’t get rid of right now. Manchin and Sinema don’t appear willing to budge on the issue.

[Turin_C3PO]

28. I don't necessarily agree.

It may appear that way because the Republican Senators are more lock step in their actions. We have some moderates who occasionally throw a wrench into our plans. But we do need those moderates as the states would otherwise be represented by Republicans.

[theneworiginal]

30. Same here. R's are growling and hissing and complaining.

Biden's quietly knocking the shit out of them.

Whine on. Joe's got things to do.

[bdamomma]

36. President Biden

walk softly with a big stick. Go ahead with your agenda President Biden.

[Wounded Bear]

33. The main problem is that Dems follow the rules and norms. repubs tend not to...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

39. +1

[uponit7771]

34. K&R, one side has a coordinated national messaging machine the other does not

[bdamomma]

35. exactly

I think she is correct. And it is all about ratings.

[Hortensis]

42. Because of warped views like that? At that, I'm sure

plenty of Republicans are constantly outraged that their caucuses don't bring in the giant earthmovers and smash through all opposition. They complain elsewhere is all.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

45. Can you explain that further H? Think *what you're saying

Is that the other side's constituents feel the same way? What's "warped"?

[Hortensis]

47. Morning, Laura. I was just being exasperated at the usual

frustration and anxious scouting for defeat and discounting victories as soon as achieved. Must be some survival behavior wired into us in the paleolithic era because it doesn't come from the smart part of our brain.

Of course you were spot on of course about the enormous differences in approach and goals between the parties. And in what people are.

The Republicans' big noisy, juicy lies and swinging of their wrecking ball are very strong weapons, but we simply can't somehow use them for good. Protecting the citadel we still hold from the destroyers requires battle tactics of going by its rules, protecting its principles and norms, informing the public, affirming legalities through the courts. (God, how boring! And incomprehensible.) And of course, conspicuously working to create the bipartisanship that should exist, even when we know it'll fail.

That last talking nice to the enemy thing especially just kills those who can't understand why we don't choose "better" weapons. If we really wanted to win, if there wasn't something wrong with us that always makes us lose, we'd get our own copy of Fascist Takeovers for Dummies and use some of those strongman tactics that work for the Republicans -- except changing them for good, of course. Only to achieve principled, constructive, antifascist goals. To put a quick end to our enemies and this frightening time.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

48. In my mind, this 'feeling' that Mary speaks about doesn't involve adopting 'wrecking ball' or

'strongman tactics'. It involves chosing not to employ tools that are known by us and are clearly 'by the rules,' because the political consequences are given so much weight. Or we have this notion that there MUST be some savvy moves that they seem to know how to invent that we should be inventing too?

[Hortensis]

49. Sure. We should invent methods that have the punch and force

of classic fascist tactics but somehow still be right and good. We hear frustration that we don't constantly here.

We're tied to truth and principles, though. Often people don't yet know what truth is, requiring faith and conviction that it exists to enable continued commitment.

Meanwhile, the right's constant big lies are created to deliver their immediate forceful punch at our convictions while being as simple and entertaining as The Inquirer. No guts or conviction required of that audience. Just ears to take in outrageous lies. And for their attack dogs, mouths to repeat them and fists to wave.

One truth we do know is that over 40 years they've gotten scary-good at it. Real pros.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

50. Totally agree. But I guess my only point is the opinion

of our side, based on lack of legitimate action ( not fascist techniques) that builds up and creates a feeling in people that we over analyze consequences and hem and haw so much and people aren't ultimately held to account.

This may not be true here at DU, but it is among many Dems who speak out in other forums.

I Immediately think of a relatively low priority event as an example. Corey Lewandowski was "allowed" to honor a subpoena on Mueller findings. Yes, he showed up, but stonewalled. Nadler threatened to hold him in contempt. But nothing was done ( correct me if I missed it). IOW, for whatever reason, he got away with it. Small episodes like this build up over time. It gives many Dems the impression that we don't always do as much as we could to hold people accountable within legitimate avenues. I don't think "we didn't pursue it because it would have taken forever" holds up over time as well as the actual act of holding him in contempt would, in this example.

Hoping this all becomes moot now that trump is gone.

[Hortensis]

51. Laura, it's not that you're not right to a degree, but...

I seriously think a large part of the general constant dissatisfaction with Democrats is created by decades of tsunamis of critical-to-hostile interpretation and propaganda -- combined with an openness and vulnerability to criticism on the left that conservative loyalists just don't have. Not that there're not always some reasons for dissatisfaction, of course, but that it's cultivated and kept in constant malignant growth and flower with high-nutrient fertilizer.

Even friendly "very thoughtful people" are paid to critique and discuss what should be done, although as outsiders they seldom know what they would need to for proper evaluation. We're also marinated, though, in decades of insidious messages that Democrats are constantly shooting themselves in the foot, and even committed Democrats don't go unaffected. Yes, we may want to do good but we just can't, Democrats always fail. Throw in the hostiles, and on average almost everything is portrayed as, and ascribed to, incompetence and liberal weakness and cluelessness, and to corruption, callous indifference to suffering, crony capitalism, etc.

The payoff is huge. How else would predatory Republicans and their big donors have managed to get people to not vote against them in spite of all the harm they do to everyone? To convince half the left to genuinely believe Democrats are really at fault for everything? (Republicans? We could have stopped them but didn't.)

To get Mary to feel that even with a majority we were already failing? 80 million didn't vote last November after 4 years of trumpist disaster and with death counts soaring again. Probably 70 million believe that claiming there's no one to vote for is a respectable, even pleasingly sophisticated, excuse.

Yeah, this is one of my buttons. End of rant.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

52. Thanks for all that! I had never even thought about

why so many of us feel the way we do other than the obvious... Republicans getting away with things in plain sight for so many years.

Have thought about this topic a lot now. It is very complex... With many moving pieces. Personally I miss the unabashedly liberal voices like Ted Kennedy, Mario Cuomo, Jesse Jackson. They spoke what was right always first. Waiting for someone who moves emotion in me like that.

The right wing propaganda had an effect on the general public like you said, for sure. With little rebuttal for many reasons. But it had an affect on our spokesmen too. Fear of criticism in an instant news world ? A need to be truthful and open, part of our makeup?

[Hortensis]

54. I also want many voices to once again speak about how doing what's right

is also what's best for all of us. But I think that's what Biden's been doing all along. I know when he decided to run he came in as a fresh breeze of principle.

The rest of the field was running on things they were told voters wanted and bashing each other over who could provide the best. If polling had said that was canned peas, they'd have been promising to provide better and cheaper canned peas and trying to outdo each other with promises of pull-off lids and no GMOs.

I think you're really onto something with fear of criticism and what hostiles would be able to turn into weapons of destruction.

That reminded me, though, of incompetent/possibly sabotaging polling as a likely factor. I remember 2010 when it seemed like almost every Democrat ran scared on not sticking his head up because polls said that was the best way to hold onto his position in the post-2008 reactionary storm. Supposedly that was what we voters wanted of them. I didn't understand. What had happened to us Democrats that we reportedly had little laundry lists of needs but no real dreams or aspirations, much less wanted to build on electing Obama and continuing the fight for big advances? Later, everyone, including political columnists and the polling industry, were "surprised" at the completely unforeseen excitement and flood of mainstream enthusiasm for Elizabeth Warren's calls for big, bold actions. And of course the broad wave of support for her to run for president.

Polling completely, completely failed to reveal that most Democratic voters really wanted strong, affirmative action. And polling questions and analysis had failed to reveal us for years. In retrospect it seems obvious that that election industry, like every other, was sabotaging Democrats, however and why it came about. We knew most MSM were biased toward electing Republicans but didn't look hard at a crucial industry that supplied them and candidates, and ourselves, with critical information about us.

So I believe we're on the mend but still recovering from being told for years that as a party we weren't who we thought we were and didn't really believe in what we once did, with great damage to our own convictions and strength of purpose. And, bringing us back to your thoughts, to the ability of pols to talk about those to us.

After all, if you ask any 5 Democrats what principles they believe in, chances are excellent all 5 won't be able to think of even one without prompting. "Oh, yeah. Equality. Sure." Then they'll wait to be asked the real, typical polling questions, such as what they want in healthcare for themselves, and if black about social justice for themselves.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

44. Biden does not owe these

Republican traitors anything fuck bipartisanship it takes away from our power.

Fuck Mitch.

Kill the filibuster.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. Wonder what Biden thinks, I mean deep inside his head about

Trump. He beat him. So, as a human being, that's satisfaction in itself. Trying to think what just a typical human response would be if you won. Just be gone?, let me have the spotlight so I can show what I will do, what I care about? Or is "hold him to justice" ?

[SidDithers]

55. Because it's easier to block than it is to progress...nt

Sid