The majority of americans have no clue about the functioning of our democracy.

[drray23]

And I am sad to say that even here on DU, we have some confusion from time to time.

Latest exhibit, the senate passing a bill to end tariffs on Brazil. Most of the comments or articles i have seen so far completely omit that it still has to pass the house, then override presidential veto( 2/3 in both houses) if Trump vetoes it.
We have a better chance to find unicorns.

Likewise, the magic 218 votes needed to force a vote on any bill requiring doj to release the Epstein files. Everybody seems to be convinced its game set and match if this happens. Well, again it's a bill so it needs to pass the senate with filibuster proof majority and also potentially survive a veto.

Hell will freeze over first.

[leftstreet]

1. Maybe our legislators should explain it to us

"I'm putting forth a bill today that has zero fucks chance of passing. And here is why..."

[lapfog_1]

2. The idea is not to pass legislation

so much as it is to divide the republican party AND put them on the wrong side of an issue... in the case of the Epstein file discharge petition, their vote to either not pass it or not override the veto puts them on the wrong side with a lot of MAGA voters.

I don't think we will EVER see the real Epstein files... all of the names of those who were reported by the victims as having participated will likely never be known. But MAGA voters and independents will see the vote to continue the cover up as a betrayal and on an issue they care about.

We need it because the repukes are busy gerrymandering the hell out of an many places as possible for 2026 to hold on to power.

Having their base either vote against them or just stay home is the only shot we have of taking back the House... Senate is possible but a much harder goal. Either will allow us to do oversight of this dictatorship now happening before our eyes. Will it be enough... that I don't know.

[drray23]

3. Oh I do understand the purpose.

My frustration is that most people do not because they do not know how the system works.