General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDemocratic Leadership, let's talk about this.
I have seen threads and comments expressing great concern about the lack of Dem Leadership. They are not stepping up to oppose this catastrophic political disaster. The loudest message has been, "We will find areas to work with them."
Really? When have you seen in the past 10 years that republicans would work on anything with democrats? They are sociopathic criminals (for the most part) incapable of passing laws for the greater good.
Our Dem leaders must have new strategies. How can WE help them? What do they need from us, the active support behind them?
CurtEastPoint
(18,552 posts)Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)vlyons
(10,252 posts)Take a page from the Republican playbook, and primary the Dems, who don't hold progressive views and positions, beginning with Dems, who don't support gun control, universal healthcare, limiting carbon emissions, banning fracking, and raising taxes on the super-rich. I could add some more deal breakers too, but you get my point.
libtodeath
(2,888 posts)We need to push them hard.
Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)Flooding GOP Reps, Senators, and the White House with phone calls, peaceful, organized, protests, and social media networking must be SO LOUD that the corporate media can't ignore it!
Neither party is scared of the people anymore. THAT MUST CHANGE!
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)still_one
(91,965 posts)short term options very limited. We can and we should stand united against any attempt by the republicans to destroy Social Security, Medicare, the ACA, stacking the courts with extremists, etc., but no one should make any mistake about it, those issues are in real jeopardy, unless at least three republicans in the Senate join with the Democrats to prevent the dismantling of these programs. It might even take more because Democrats like manchin cannot be counted on.
Short term the only options we have are delay, stall, and obstruct, and take the message on these issues to the people, and hope we can either prevent or limit the damage in the next four years
Long term, we need to throw resources to start winning at the local at state level. That will take a long time, but it is the only way to really succeed
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)yet we are not really hearing from our leaders with their plan. They all fell over and apparently need help getting up.
I tried calling my state dem office and they are on break until Jan. 2nd. The problem is, on Jan. 21st the republican are going to pass law... after law... after law. What is the leaderships plan? It is so frustrating they are so quiet.
still_one
(91,965 posts)I did the same to Chuck Schumer.
In addition, I donated to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, and I will continue to support other advocacy groups
Yes, it is frustrating, and depressing.
Will they be able to pass laws on January 21? Highly unlikely. They have to follow certain procedures, and no doubt they will try to push for things like the repeal of the ACA as soon as possible, but until Congress is actually presented that, it is a waiting game.
Your OP assumes that the Democratic leadership has no plan or strategy, and that may not be accurate.
For programs like Social Security, Medicare, and the ACA, efforts to mobilize people to write their Congress persons, and push advocacy groups to get the message that we don't want them messing with these programs is vital.
No matter what happens, we must fight or go down fighting
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)My mom is in a nursing home that is paid for by Medicaid (fortunately, a very nice one). Republicans want to cut or down-size Medicaid for future generations, and change the rules on it now for many aspects of it. What a mess! Please, remember to always include Medicaid in the list of our collectively important and vital social programs.
Peace to you, still-one. Keep up the good work.
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I am still working on my own activism strategy. I seem to go for the jugular and call-out my reps and Dem Party leadership on things. I once was so effective in an email to the State Dem Party Chair, that he arranged a phone call with me and we talked for 25 minutes. I rattled him on a personal level calling him out on something he said on TV. I was right, BTW. The jugular works!
It has been years since I have taken to the streets marching, but now is the time. I will be at rally's on Jan 20th and Jan 21st at my State Capital. More actions coming... Grass roots is what will change this country and take it back from the coup.
still_one
(91,965 posts)21st here in California
and you are right, it is all the healthcare programs, especially Medicaid, which helps the most vulnerable in our society
libtodeath
(2,888 posts)Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)I think a big reason so many seats went republican is the vote rigging. Not voter fraud, but vote rigging. All the outrageous voter suppression laws and voter roll purging.
HoneyBadger
(2,297 posts)That is my priority. Lower fossil fuel consumption. Towards that end, raise oil prices, forcing consumption down. That is the first thing that Dem leaders need to work on. If you lose the climate, nothing else matters in the long run, we are dead anyway.