Please Attack Trump and Musk - Not Democrats. Please.

[Nanjeanne]

264. I have to say that this thread seems very bizarre to me. I see people expressing opinions

on which Democrats in Congress they approve of and which Democrat in Congress they think are not representing their personal beliefs, policies and desires. It also seems to me that is the very essence of small d democracy.

It also seems that other Democrats posting here believe that no expression of anger or discontent should be allowed or worse that expressing that is somehow hurting the Democratic Party. A valid point for those who believe that way and certainly they should be allowed to express their total approval of their Party. I would never tell them not to. I would expect the same in return. That seems to be the sticking point.

But this is a message board. Expressing disappointment or anger at a politician - even in the party we all ultimately support over a Republican - is not going to hurt anything. I have no inflated belief that an expression on DU of not appreciating a politician’s vote is going to make the next election a slaughter. I do think blindly obeying every decision some politician makes is much more detrimental to a winning strategy but again I don’t think expressing that on a message board is going to hold much sway either way.

I do find it strange, however, that somehow being a “good” Democrat for some requires total support of every Democrat when quite clearly the Democrats in Congress also have different policy platforms, etc. To me — being a “good” Democrat is standing up for what I want and believe the party could and should be. That may be different than someone else’s desired platform and they too should stand up for what they want. I want Medicare For All. Someone else prefers our money going towards subsidies to allow the ACA to help people buy private insurance. Both are better than anything a Republican will offer but I know which one makes sense to me financially and morally so I will support candidates that support that. Isn’t that what we are supposed to be doing?

It’s a given that all of us here want a strong Democratic Party. That’s not in debate and I don’t think we should make assumptions of one another that negate that let start with that as the very foundation of why we are here. But after that, aren’t we individuals?

I thought politicians enter politics as public servants. Don’t they solicit my money to help them run? Don’t they ask me to phone bank and canvass and register people and get to the polls? Aren’t I allowed to ask something from them, like honoring the pledge they made to me when they asked me to vote for them or support them? Aren’t I allowed to question why they didn’t stand up for what they told me they would do and if they couldn’t aren’t I allowed to ask them to explain themselves and make my own decision on whether I will support them again or look for another who will represent me better?

If we are to believe that the direction Trump/Musk and the Rs are taking this country is an authoritarian dictatorship in which the billionaires will control the country and split the spoils amongst themselves — which i honestly do — then isn’t it not only my right — but my duty as a supporter of democracy - to expect the people asking so much from me in terms of financial and political support - should honor my commitment to them with the same amount of fight? And if they won’t - and that’s ok with some people - shouldn’t it also NOT be ok with some people? A person who chooses public life tells me they want to be a public servant and make life better for their constituents. I don’t make a pledge to blindly follow them or believe that they are some all knowing, all seeing, always right entity. Do I not have enough brains, knowledge, integrity, thoughtfulness or critical thinking to decide if their decisions are the correct ones from my point of view? I have every right to expect them to fight and while we may not always get a win — I will continue to support only those who make the same commitment to me as they ask me to make to them. And as we are all struggling against a real tyranny shouldn’t we be able to discuss how we - as Democrats - should move forward. No one has to agree with every other person on this board. But discussion isn’t bashing. Disagreeing isn’t the end of civilization. And within the Democratic Party, opinion on messaging, commitment and energy is being engaged. And for some of us, a willingness to stand on principle and for something even if it might not succeed is the commitment we would like to see from our elected representatives.