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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBeware those carrying fear, uncertainty and doubt about Democrats.
If you hear or read something that makes you think less of Democrats, think about who stands to gain if Republicans take over Congress in this fall's elections. There's a lot at stake. Who will make billions of dollars if the Republicans are allowed to fully enact their sociopathic plans?
The invasion of Ukraine isn't going well for Putin. Who would he want back in the White House?
If Republicans take back the majority in just one house of Congress, they will block every single effort by Biden. Biden will be blamed for everything that happens and Trump or someone like Trump will be elected in 2024.
Your friends, relatives, online buddies may be well-meaning but the propaganda is real, it's everywhere, and it's designed to be very persuasive. Beware of the agenda behind negativity aimed at Democrats.
gab13by13
(20,863 posts)is coming from the entirety of the MSM.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)Joinfortmill
(14,233 posts)mcar
(42,206 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)Sometimes evil is simple. It's easier to lie than to tell a complex truth. It's easier to break things than to build.
It's easy to take over the world and amass trillions of dollars of dirty money if you don't care who you have to kill, torture and enslave in order to achieve that goal.
Funding troll farms is a good return on investment, and because of the labor system the sociopaths themselves create and nurture, there are plenty of desperate people happy to sign up for the work.
JohnSJ
(91,938 posts)uponit7771
(90,225 posts)... for it was dems would control everything
mcar
(42,206 posts)when a Democrat is in the WH. Dems bad, Dems suck, Dems haven't done anything. Nothing is ever good enough for some.
Strelnikov_
(7,772 posts)I came across in researching the Macron/LePen debacle.
Seems they are not much different than us, a squishy back and forth middle, driven entirely by perceived economic conditions.
Only difference is that here, the GOP are trying to cement in their power once they get their next chance at the see-saw.
++++
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/08/french-politics-marine-le-pen-france-europe
France is an angry country. It is always an angry country. It is especially angry at present because the Ukraine war has inflated already high petrol, diesel and food prices. But there is no real appetite in France for confrontational policies that would destroy an 80-year postwar political consensus of outward-looking tolerance and European unity.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/22/people-feel-suffocated-cost-of-living-tops-french-concerns-before-election
But it was when a young relative working as a rural healthcare assistant recently broke down and wept at the fuel pump because she could barely afford the petrol to get to work that Martins anger rose. How can there not be a mood of revolt? she asked.
Worries about purchasing power and how to make ends meet have become French voters top concern before the April presidential election. The government says that, on paper, people have more in their wallets since Emmanuel Macrons election in 2017. The treasury estimates that gross disposable income, which economists use as a gauge of purchasing power, has grown twice as fast under Macron than under his two predecessors, helped by tax cuts and job creation.
But because food and fuel prices are rising, and because fixed costs such as housing, insurance, energy and phone bills account for such a large part of French budgets, voters feel a sense of daily struggle. An Ifop poll last month showed 69% of people felt their purchasing power had deteriorated over Macrons term.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)It happens over and over.
mcar
(42,206 posts)"What are Republicans mad about today?" That forms the basis of their reporting/opining.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)I heard media leaders who claimed to be Democrats openly snicker about Trump. They thought he was funny. I heard a highly placed media leader muse about whether it was correct to refer to Trump as a liar, since he might not have the mental capacity to understand he was lying. This was said with a laugh and got a laugh from the room filled with wealthy powerful people.
These people are selling our democracy in order to become millionaires. They think it doesn't matter.
KPN
(15,585 posts)excellent OP. Now is not the time to criticize our party past, present or future.
uponit7771
(90,225 posts)... more that keeps there poll numbers down and its not dem messaging.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)How many times have we been told that it's our fault for advocating for civil rights? FauxNews runs 24/7 lies and hysteria about critical race theory while ignoring the criminal behavior of Republicans, but somehow it's all the Democrats fault for "distracting" people with demands for equality.
Makes me furious.
uponit7771
(90,225 posts)... issues that can be turned on a dime when leadership sees the benefits,
The bigger issue is there's a thought stream in regards to what's even rational for high approval has been broken two democratic presidents in a row.
Biden has IT ALL
Great economy
Record low employment
Going hard on the international scene
and his approval ratings in the low 40s !?!?!
There are outside forces acting inside, Biden has done a decent job at taking victory laps ...
We need a fact check consortium to keep them straight
yardwork
(61,408 posts)brer cat
(24,401 posts)Negativity is a good voter turn-off tool.
mcar
(42,206 posts)is getting louder as well.
The man saved millions of lives from Covid, brought the economy back, passed several important laws, got the 1st black woman confirmed to SCOTUS and dozens of great jurists added to federal courts - in less than 2 years and with an evenly divided Congress.
Media focuses only on inflation; the far left on "but he didn't do this."
Doesn't seem like we'll ever learn.
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)Holy Cow man come on.
mcar
(42,206 posts)and his administration?
Holy cow man, come on.
Right here today on DU there are several OPs slamming the administration, pushing FUD about the midterms, and pulling out those tired old Third Way, neo-liberal tropes.
Response to mcar (Reply #20)
Tommymac This message was self-deleted by its author.
Cha
(295,899 posts)Admin & Pres Biden. TY! It's fair to call them out.
Unity! Midterms!
💙💛
KS Toronado
(16,901 posts)MSM never really got on IQ4.5's ass about showing his taxes, no better & cheaper health care plan,
no border wall, mismanagement of covid (like magic it's going to disappear), wanting Ukraine to
manufacture dirt on Biden, attempting to overturn a lost election, etc, etc
yardwork
(61,408 posts)Case in point: the blockbuster news about Jr.'s text messages outlining their plot to overthrow the government.
NYT had it on page A15. CNN covered it big but it's drifting off.
But her emails.
Magoo48
(4,659 posts)Is there a forum where we might discuss our shortcomings and how to improve as a party?
Emile
(21,887 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)What if....
Democrats debated candidates during our primaries by celebrating what is good and even better about our candidates, rather than casting doubt on the Democratic Party as a whole?
Democrats whole-heartedly supported the general election candidates who won primaries?
FoxNewsSucks
(10,375 posts)don't want the Democratic party to find and correct mistakes. Or to improve.
I wonder which side benefits from that attitude?
Magoo48
(4,659 posts)Im fairly sure different factions of our congress critters meet now and then. I hope they listen to each other; Im also convinced theyd benefit from really listening at meetings with their constituents.
Pobeka
(4,999 posts)I hear that often repeated why there seems to be low enthusiasm among Dem voters.
When, the obvious thing to do is not make it *harder* for Biden to get things through congress by not voting in more Dems. The obvious thing to do is get really motivated and elect even more Dems to congress and solidify the Dem/progressive team so more things can get passed by Biden.
The for profit media needs a horse race to sell media. It's going to take down the planet for a few months of selling more news.
MineralMan
(146,190 posts)We need to stop doing that and focus on electing MORE Democrats. Period. Trumpet our successes and be patient with what has no yet happened. It will, if we stick to our guns and replace Republicans with Democrats in Congress and state legislatures. That should be our primary goal in every election, especially in midterm elections.
Any Democrat is better than every Republican. And that's the truth.
That is, of course, my opinion.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)Our democracy is being taken from us at all levels.
MineralMan
(146,190 posts)What we need is majorities and even larger majorities to accomplish the difficult goals.
Every legislative office is important. Every Democrat who replaces any Republican is movement in that direction.
Even Democrats who aren't 100% behind every progressive goal matter. If they will vote with the Democratic caucus in whatever legislative body, they will move us forward. No Republican will do that for us. Not one.
We need a Democratic cushion in legislatures. We need unbreakable majorities for those situations where a few Democrats cannot vote for the most progressive measures but will vote with the caucus on other issues. We have to remember that Republicans will virtually ALWAYS vote against progressive measures.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)jaxexpat
(6,701 posts)MineralMan
(146,190 posts)FoxNewsSucks
(10,375 posts)but failing to address areas that need improvement is a huge mistake.
Sure, we shouldn't be negative when talking to others we'd like to bring to our side, but if this isn't the place to sound alarms and find answers what is?
The secondary problem is still gonna be the media and internet platforms. We can trumpet successes all we want, but the inattentive public will still be bombarded with laptop-email-biden won't let em drill. The main problem is that republicons are ruthless and have worked nonstop toward their goal of total control. Thanks to the help of two democrats, we have little time left before they get it. Seems pretty naive to just ignore that. I can't personally stop it, but I also can't stop thinking about the implications.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)Fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) has a specific meaning. I'm talking about trolls and propaganda, not sincere disagreements among Democrats that strengthens the Democratic Party.
I agree with your posting name. Mine is a play on "grass roots."
FoxNewsSucks
(10,375 posts)to be aware of.
In addition to the purpose those propagandists have, a similar thing is used often to stifle the disagreements and criticism that we have. Even here on this site.
Cha
(295,899 posts)know what "FUD" meant.. but it didn't sound good.
Mahalo!
💙💛
yardwork
(61,408 posts)MineralMan
(146,190 posts)negative emotions wherever Democrats gather, and that includes DU. Not everyone is what they claim to be.
jalan48
(13,797 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)jalan48
(13,797 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)Where in my OP do I commit "authoritarian speak?"
I'll wait.
jalan48
(13,797 posts)It's primary season. Democrat's are going to cast doubt on their opponents, unless of course, there is an official, "This particular Democrat is ok" policy.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)You read at least the first line of my OP and that was your takeaway?
jalan48
(13,797 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)I think you probably know that though.
jalan48
(13,797 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)Is the person trying to get you to feel despair about the Democratic Party, or are they trying to strengthen the party? In other words, is the criticism constructive - designed to push for improvement - or is it designed to get people to tune out, give up, or vote third party?
My OP is about troll farms and propaganda. As another poster observed, my OP isn't about DU. It's about a global propaganda campaign designed to destroy democracy. Literally destroy democracy.
jalan48
(13,797 posts)suggesting people use their critical thinking skills I'm with you 100%.
Magoo48
(4,659 posts)Heres two reasons to doubt other Dems: Manchin, Sinema.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)Magoo48
(4,659 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)One way is to fight like hell to elect more Democratic senators, attaining a stronger majority so that Manchin, Sinema and other Democrats representing red states lose their power to veto and disrupt Democratic agendas.
The other approach is to point to Manchin and Sinema as examples of why the Democratic Party is "useless" and "can't get anything done" and thus encourage people to give up on the Democratic Party and not vote, or vote third party, or vote for Trump "because they're all the same."
Strategy #2 has been used to great effect to elect Republicans in the past, and I see evidence of it ramping up again, as the midterms near. It's an excellent illustration of my OP.
Magoo48
(4,659 posts)Self appraisal is necessary in order to recognize strengths and build upon them and to own weaknesses and shore them up.
questionseverything
(9,631 posts)mcar
(42,206 posts)Maybe look up the definition?
yardwork
(61,408 posts)Cha
(295,899 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(48,783 posts)OP says "something that makes you think less of Democrats,"
That is about Democrats in general.
Speaking out against a primary contender, when done with appropriate respect, to make a person think less of ONE Democrat is not attacking all Democrats in general or the party. It is NOT authoritarian to request people to be careful and pay attention to avoid dragging all Democrats or the party down.
jalan48
(13,797 posts)specific as possible.
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,783 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)betsuni
(25,122 posts)druidity33
(6,435 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(48,783 posts)That's not authoritarian.
Cha
(295,899 posts)💙💛
Sympthsical
(8,931 posts)"People are saying things I don't like, and they should stop that," has rarely served us well. There is always caterwauling about why the media haven't framed this or that story exactly as a partisan would prefer. I see this week it's the NYT, which is a pretty liberal paper all things considered, but some people have convinced themselves is some right-wing behemoth. Which, just lol.
The irony of calling other people purists, really.
I can think of a recent unnamed election where only Happy Talk was allowed, and the people who were pointing out, "Hey, this may not end well," were thanked for their concern and dismissed.
New idea: Embrace reality, good and bad, and proceed accordingly.
Happy Talk is for fan magazines, not for serious policy and politics.
I'm not one to clap for Tinkerbell. I will give her a crutch where I'm able, however. But some people really are all about the clapping as their scientific approach.
JohnSJ
(91,938 posts)the OP is telling people not to say bad things
Sympthsical
(8,931 posts)As are good things.
Lies by omission are still lies.
JohnSJ
(91,938 posts)Sympthsical
(8,931 posts)By laying out what is good speech and what is bad speech in their view with a plea to follow them in this monitoring of good speech and bad speech.
That's the nice thing about opinions - no attempt to argue a point is required.
I'm not even sure what the argument is in this thread. "Remember, when people are saying things you don't want to hear, dive down into the bubble even harder." I mean, ok?
I wish people were more informed than they are before they hop on the internet. It's likelier to rain unicorns.
betsuni
(25,122 posts)Opinions not based on facts are bullshit.
Joinfortmill
(14,233 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)bronxiteforever
(9,287 posts)President Biden knows what kind of unnatural creature Putin is.
I have seen major GOP figures seek Putins approval. In fact many members of that party would have us on our knees before him.
I have seen Governors of two vastly populated Southern States continually demonize minorities and civil rights.
I have seen laws passed by the GOP that will create mercenaries and vigilantes to hunt down women trying to control their reproductive lives in their most vulnerable moment.
Voting- we know what they will do and have done.
Governance by tweet or owning the libs is not a platform for a country seeking to survive in todays complex world.
Doubt and uncertainty about the future I have. Fear of those that reveal in oppression I have.
But where I forever stand is with the Democratic Party and may it continue to save our fragile republic.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)Sogo
(4,960 posts)H2O Man
(73,308 posts)yardwork
(61,408 posts)betsuni
(25,122 posts)Baked Potato
(7,733 posts)sheshe2
(83,324 posts)I agree 💯 percent.
Now lets go vote to make our Democracy strong. We need a bright blue Tsunami 🌊 this year.
IronLionZion
(45,255 posts)Last edited Mon Apr 11, 2022, 10:47 AM - Edit history (1)
but it doesn't feel terrible. There are plenty of jobs and high wages. Fewer Americans are dying of COVID. The only downsides are high prices.
America has more small businesses now than before COVID https://eig.org/news/more-physical-places-of-businesses-open-now-than-pre-pandemic-led-by-sun-belt-metros
Russia is behind Qanon. They are openly supporting Russia in the war and spreading lies about Ukraine. Too many in the GQP have fallen for it.
yardwork
(61,408 posts)There's no push back. It's gaslighting and I agree it's funded by people who don't want America to survive as a democracy.
Thanks for your post. You get it.