The Democratic Party is not off-limits for criticism

[Kid Berwyn]

If it were, we’d still be in favor slavery.

DUers who ask where are their fellow Democrats who rise in opposition to the fascist onslaught on the Constitution are NOT THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOBS AS CITIZENS.

And when the Leadership doesn’t rise to the occasion, whether in opposing the seemingly always conveniently in the majority party or coming up with new solutions for seemingly eternal and unfixable old problems, it’s up to the Rank-and-File.

SO here’s to what President Joseph R. Biden said during the 2024 Presidential debate:

"We must remember what Plato said: "One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

Let’s change that, starting RIGHT FUCKING NOW.

[QueerDuck]

1. 🙄 Good grief.

[Kid Berwyn]

3. What's wrong with what I wrote (no eye roll)?

Otherwise, welcome to DU.

[QueerDuck]

7. "Otherwise, welcome to DU." --- Seriously? 🙄

Please. I've been around since 2003... I know what that means. The same way that you know what an "eye-roll" emoji means. No explanation or elaboration is needed. It speaks for itself.

[Kid Berwyn]

16. My apologies!

Must be thinking of a profile for a similar handle.

[QueerDuck]

34. Thank you.

Apologies accepted. 🫂

[sheshe2]

28. ...

[tritsofme]

2. Criticism, sure. But that doesn't mean we should pretend there is some virtue in slurring and lying

about Democratic leaders.

[Trueblue Texan]

33. See? Not only are you misrepresenting, you're destroying your argument and your credibility with posts like this. NT

[betsuni]

64. The belief there are easy solutions that Democrats choose not to do because (fill in the insult lie accusation CT).

Bashing becomes practically evangelical.

[EarlG]

4. I don't disagree, but

many DU members would probably be more accepting of it if the people doing the criticism checked to make sure their criticism was valid first, or provided some kind of rationale for it, as opposed to just blurting out "Dems are doing nothing" or cracking jokes about "sternly worded letters." Because that just tends to come across as a kind of shorthand for "I don't like Democrats" rather than actual useful criticism. I say this as someone who has criticized Democratic leadership here on DU (and provided my reasons for it) when I thought it was necessary to do so.

[SocialDemocrat61]

6. Thank you

Very well said

[QueerDuck]

12. EarlG speaks for me.

Thank you.

[Kid Berwyn]

13. Agree 100-percent.

I try to post facts as I find them, provide sources and make clear my analysis and opinion. All of these are guaranteed by the First Amendment and held up on DU since its founding.

While “Money trumps peace” has held sway since Dealey Plaza, the current Situation is unlike any we’ve faced since. Trump threatens nuclear war in service of Netanyahu and to avoid prison — We the People are still uncertain as to the order of priority.

I also see the point made by a number of posters who regularly observe anyone who dares to question authority, whether in Washington DC or City Hall, should get their facts straight and demand a narrow POV, their own. Oddly enough, their caution and concern often translates into the encouragement that “nothing can be done.”

I prefer to approach things like President John F. Kennedy saw them. Free People can do the impossible, such as go to the moon and live in peace as equals.

[Aepps22]

14. Dopamine Hits Won't Save Us

I find that some folks on here or in democratic spaces just want to feel like the party is fighting back (dopamine hits to feel better). That desire is absolutely a fair one, but some of the suggestions aren’t rationale or are filled with hyperbole about how Republicans can stop things so why can’t we when if you really look at things they stopped very little that our side did and the things they slowed down got more coverage than their actual effectiveness. If we wanted our party to be able to stop Trump we should’ve won the house in 24 which we should’ve won but our voters failed us.

Talking about hold press conferences and this and that are old school ways of communicating. If we want to fight back we need to be making our our TikTok’s and Insta Lives to meet people where they are. Younger folks ain’t watching press conferences and the media isn’t going to cover one either.

[obamanut2012]

20. That is a really unfair and patronizing insult to good DUers

Saying they just want a dopamine hint. Including to the owner of DU.

WOW.

[Kid Berwyn]

24. Refers to neurological research about Social Mierda

I thought it would democratize information in 1995.

Wow, was I wrong.

[Trueblue Texan]

35. How about a dopamine hit that will serve a practical approach...

We can all scream and rage, but responding EFFECTIVELY is a much better use of energy. I would really like to hear some proposals for more effective means of responding to the attacks on our democracy instead of mere criticism that leadership isn’t doing enough, or that their responses turn out to be ineffective because who bargained on a neutered judicial system?

I’m just saying, if you want to help start offering more than mere criticism. Why don’t YOU lead by example since you have so many answers?

[Bread and Circuses]

55. Agree

That’s what I’ve concluded this past year about this platform

[Scrivener7]

58. We need a bot farm and a good PR firm.

[themaguffin]

15. Agreed

Last edited Wed Apr 8, 2026, 04:57 PM - Edit history (1)

and that applies to those who endlessly criticize people like Jon Stewart, George Clooney etc. who spoke out with good faith valid reasons at various times.

[Cha]

17. Mahalo, EarlG!!

[Disaffected]

27. "...Dems are doing nothing" or cracking jokes about "sternly worded letters."

Keep in mind that such comments are often a metaphor for real or at least perceived shortcomings in the Democratic response to the grievous times we live in.

[Bluetus]

54. Not just a metaphor or shorthand in some cases

I mean, there are certain people (rules prevent me from mentioning names) who are notorious for boasting about having written, quite literally, those "sternly worded letters", and one rarely finds those same people involved in more active opposition, such as media events on the steps of the Capitol, appearing on Sunday shows with a real message of strong opposition, or even speaking at No Kings and other grass roots affairs. Some of these people just aren't up to the circumstances we find ourselves in.

[sheshe2]

29. Well said and I thank you for that.

[mcar]

41. See, that's criticism

You provide your reasons for doing so. I don't think any member here objects to that.

The rest is knee-jerk bashing with no basis. Witness today's many OPs about Dems doing nothing - all of which ignored the many strong statements by Democrats. Or, when they do get acknowledged, the response is along the lines of "talk is cheap."

[Ilikepurple]

46. I agree that there are these kinds of posts, but well considered criticisms rarely fare better.

I’m not sure if this is the best place to post the following, but today’s multiple discussions about this issue are battling in my head.
Jokes are cracked on both sides of this issue. Many of the other jokes sound like shorthand for “I don’t like you’re kind of Democrat” or “maybe you’re not even one”. The latter I’ve seen cast towards all sides. I find your and many other posts thoughtful and measured, but also have the belief that we profit from considering multiple points of view, especially on unsolved matters, even when the idea is not entirely fleshed out. Of course these points of view are unhelpful if they fly past each other.
Generally, those that challenge status quo are given both the burden of proof and less room to speak. I’m not specifically speaking about DU which is as good of a community that I’ve encountered, but i don’t think we are immune or am even arguing that we should be. I do believe this imbalance often complicates our ability to discuss reasonable criticisms however presented. The ways of rhetoric often lead to speech that goes against the grain being more brazen and that defending the way things are being more dismissive. I’m not a fan of either as I really believe we can learn from each other even when one of us is mistaken. In sum, I agree with your suggestion that criticism of the Party representatives should be presented with their underlying reasoning, but so should their rebuttals. This is an amazing community considering its subject and the times in which we live.

[SocialDemocrat61]

5. That should say 'fair criticism'

Not demanding that elected Democrats be doing something they legally can’t do because they are in the minority of every branch of government or some silly performance art that will get a 5 minute mention on the news and accomplish nothing.

[Kid Berwyn]

21. What other kind is there?

Besides academic, scientific, historical, logical, analytic — and political? The kind I abhor is propagandist.

For a year and a half Trump and his fascist cabal have run amok on my Constitution. Certainly, like the powers in Orwell’s 1984, “governing” as a criminal conspiracy controlling all three branches of federal government in service of Putin, Bibi and secret bank accounts have given great power to the GOP and its members.

What I would recommend we do, on the eve of nuclear war threatened by the felon in the Oval Office, I suggest Sen. Schumer and Minority Leader Jeffries reach across the aisle and build a new and rational majority.

[SocialDemocrat61]

25. There's unfair criticism

Unjustified criticism. Unreasonable criticism. Unrealistic criticism. Untrue criticism. Most of these are what FAUX News and the GOP runs on.

[Kid Berwyn]

30. And that's why I send money to DU.

Like that time when Corporate McPravda failed in 2015:

Exposing Trump's Decades of Deep Ties to Organized Crime

[yellow dahlia]

40. Thanks for the archived info in the hyperlink.

You always bring the background and info, Kid.

[QueerDuck]

62. You forgot one...

... there's the "virtue signaling criticism" which I see in many corners of the internet. It's like a grand combination of the ones you mentioned above, but with the ADDED bonus of of not-so-subtly shining the light on the one doing the criticism. It's a genuine "look at me" moment and basking in the soft and radiant glow of their own purity and an invitation to others to admire them and an encouragement to be like them. I imagine it's intoxicating.

[SocialDemocrat61]

65. Agreed

Personally, I prefer actions that actually accomplish something real. Not just performance art.

[Bread and Circuses]

56. Agree!

I see the replies are flowing in to refute your opinion.

[W_HAMILTON]

8. You think criticizing Democrats will change the fact that we are being governed by (inferior) Republicans?

[Kid Berwyn]

22. Criticizing inaction, first.

Then, let’s get to brass tacks:

The nation is being destroyed by Putin’s agent, who now threatens nuclear war.

We need the Democratic leaders to build a COALITION with the GOP.

Time is of the essence.

[Trueblue Texan]

36. Please, please, PUL-LEASE share with us the action you would recommend...

We’ve all been dying to take more effective action. Please share what you think will help leadership, as well as the rest of us, respond more effectively to the threats against our democracy and against world peace.

[mcar]

43. How, exactly, are Democrats supposed to build a coalition with the GOP?

There is no Republican party - they are a wholly owned subsidiary of MAGA. They have no morals, no values, and no care for their fellow citizens.

And - can you imagine the explosion on the far left if Democratic leaders did try to do that?

[EdmondDantes_]

9. But when those criticisms are inaccurate, it's correct to point that out

There were a number of posts claiming that elected Democrats weren't saying anything which is false. Being truthful matters as does being specific. Saying someone has to do something without a plan for how to achieve that, it's pretty easy to dismiss as not a valid criticism.

[Kid Berwyn]

23. I hate liars, too.

Especially rich, greedy, un-democratic ones.

Corporate McPravda Represents One of Our Biggest Problems

[Trueblue Texan]

37. As do we all.nt

[EdmondDantes_]

61. Whatabout isn't a particularly relevant answer

Why does someone lying mitigate that the people complaining that elected Democrats aren't saying anything aren't acknowledging that Democrats are in fact speaking out?

[leftstreet]

11. Elected officials need to know how people feel

In less tumultuous times, politicians and their consultants rely heavily on polling. That works well enough until a POTUS announces he'll obliterate an entire civilization in 48 hours.

People are upset and wanting to get heard, and a lot of that will sound like criticism.

DURec

[FascismIsDeath]

18. People who can't count to 218 and 67 are also not off-limits for criticism.

Criticism is fine. Substance free criticism based on empty platitudes and a total disconnect from reality is not.

Dems have no legal authority over federal matters right now. Thats how it is. Period. No amount of "criticism" changes the math. Basic counting is not subject to an opinion and never will be.

[Kid Berwyn]

32. Fact: "Nothing we can do."

Sad to know so many see that as a reason not to fight.

[Trueblue Texan]

38. Nobody said that.

We ARE fighting. What are you doing that is so much more effective? Please share!

[FascismIsDeath]

49. Define your idea of "fight" vs what we ARE doing?

Unless you are calling for illegal violence, then I have no clue what you're getting at. The word "fight" is empty if you don't define what that means given the reality of all the circumstances.

[paleotn]

50. Horse shit.

Stop putting words in people's posts. Bitching and moaning on social media is one thing. What the hell else are YOU doing?

[Bread and Circuses]

57. Indeed

[Eddie Haskell 60]

19. I give more than my fair share of criticism to Dems but think they did something today

I think Schumer and Jeffries made some kind of 'we need to convene and debate war' message today so that's GOOD!!!

Now every Dem leader should learn these tips on how to REFUSE any funds for this unconstitutional war. This should now be #1 issue through midterms.

This is the first I've heard of Congressman Ro Khanna but he's spot on:

[Trueblue Texan]

42. Who in this audience can POSSIBLY start right now?

We’ve been fighting for this democracy for DECADES!!! I agree with you, it does NO good to tear apart leadership. Replace them, run for office, make suggestions for strategy, but don’t tear down the only representation of sanity that still exists in this nation without offering a sane response or strategy to address your frustrations!

[mcar]

44. Thank you

Had people voted for our nominees - and not with the vote suppressing phrases like "I'm going to hold my nose and vote for him/her" - we wouldn't be in this mess.

And yet the elected Democrats who are in the minority because of this are expected to DO SOMETHING11!!

[Trueblue Texan]

31. IF leaders of the party were not responding to circumstances, their criticisms would be appropriate.

HOWEVER, just because complainers cannot see or agree with every action and response of leadership doesn’t mean leadership is sitting on their hands. I only ask that criticisms be based on FACTS and if that isn’t possible, to offer suggestions instead of merely tearing down the ONLY leadership that demonstrates any sanity in Washington.

[bigtree]

39. give this shit a rest

...and do something to confront the party in power.

Or at least amplify the things the Democratic party is doing RIGHT NOW.

[ck4829]

47. K&R

[csusan]

48. No problem with constructive criticism

I think there is room for constructive discussion about what dems are doing and where the party needs to go. Positive thoughts and suggestions (I know there's already a place on DU for that). I just think negative complaining about what dems should be doing based on personal opinion doesn't really add to discussions. A lot of good information gets lost when the discourse centers on complaining or not complaining about democratic leaders. We can't know all that's going on in the background and jumping to conclusions helps no one and stops any positive discussion in it's tracks.

I have no desire to be a politician. I have feelings about the job and who does it. I also know I have no clue about how to do the job. I think it's easy sometimes for prople to think we know exactly what should be done but unless we are in job I feel we really have no idea what the job is. We are being guided by fear, anxiety, anger.
Which is why we continue to get into a rut regarding complaining or not complaining about democrats. To me it's a negative discussion, so therefore there is no answer. It just goes round and round. It's like the saying maybe the hokey-pockey IS what's all about. To complain or not to complain is a negative and therefore has no solution.

[Iggo]

51. LOL.

For you, maybe.

[Bread and Circuses]

52. Thanks, I've received criticism for a recent post

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221156511


Your point — “And when leadership doesn’t rise to the occasion, whether in opposing the often conveniently dominant party or in creating new solutions for long-standing, seemingly unfixable problems, it’s up to the rank-and-file” — is excellent and absolutely correct.

🇺🇸💙🇺🇸👬👭👫🏾🇺🇸💙
Our role is to push Democrats toward policies rooted in progress, compassion, and fairness. It feels as though Citizens United has had an outsized influence—many representatives take the money and follow the demands.


Our vote is a form of currency. We need to make it clear: stop appeasing Republicans, or we will support candidates who show real backbone.

[Chasstev365]

53. I Agree!

[Scrivener7]

59. Let's also not forget that approval for Congressional Democrats is at historic lows,

even lower than Republicans. Like, in the teens. That's ridiculous when we are the party that actually does things for people.

We need to figure out a better way. We have been saying, "That's because they own the media" for 40 years. That's true, but 40 years should have been enough time for us to figure out how to get our message through.

Obama figured it out and we dominated on social media for a while. But then they surpassed us in that.

I keep going back to the fact that something like 80% of the misinformation in the 2016 campaign was spread by 80 accounts and a bot farm.

We need a bot farm to tell the truth. We need a good PR firm to come up with original ways to spread the message. We need a plan to overcome this problem we have had for 40 years.

It's way past time.

[TBF]

60. I would like to know why today, of all days, the topic is "we need to be able to criticize democrats" -

seriously?

The leader of the free world quite possibly is "functioning" with dementia as evidenced by his threats to commit serious war crimes and genocide if he didn't get the response he wanted today from the country he is mad at. It might not be so scary if we were also a lesser country. But this is a nearly 80-year-old man who has been showing questionable behavior as of late, and has access to the nuclear codes.

I would think that would alarm most people, never mind whether they are democrats or republicans. And you pick this day (and so did several others) to just go off on what you think democrats are doing wrong.

How do you think that looks??

[betsuni]

63. Nobody said it was off-limits. If true. Has to be true. Feeling something is true doesn't make it true.

Thinking over emotion. This is not too much to ask.