No more concessions to liberalism

https://lemmy.world/post/21810510

No more concessions to liberalism - Lemmy.World

This is a weird meme. The Democrats actively tried to court suburban white voters and other traditionally right-Leaning demographics. They tried to peel Republicans off. The democrats never offered socialists a cup labeled “liberalism”, they offered “moderate republicans” a cup labeled “Border Control and Bush era political icons” and they said “Bro. I already told you I will only ever vote for Republicans”.

> Democrats: Run most leftist administration in the history of the country

> Democrats: Pass law after law and EO after EO that are a wishlist of progressive and leftist policies

> Democrats: Put officers from the most famous leftist movement in a century in high and visible positions of power in the government

> Leftists online: We never get anything by voting for Democrats they have betrayed us and move to the right constantly

TBH, it’s long past time for the Democratic Party to actually start ignoring the fringe left and work for the American people.

Despite all the Biden administrations achievements, they still haven’t addressed what the left has been asking for over the last decade.

Stop supporting the war in Gaza? Nah.

Single-payer healthcare system? Nuh uh.

Housing crisis relief? If you’re good… maybe.

Courts and criminal justice reform? Lol.

Billionaire tax? Nope.

Increase minimum wage? Psh.

Legalize marijuana? Hah! No.

How many of those could be done with the amount of control the Dems have had in the past 8 years? They had full control of the government with the barest of majorities for 2 years with 2 senators that were basically liberal Republicans. You got Gaza, but besides that the rest require Congressional action. While in control they did get the biggest investment in green energy ever, they did get substantial increases for infrastructure (including public transport), and they substantially increased the amount of tech that will be made in the US.

Why didn’t you get those things done? Because you didn’t have the power to do it, just like Dems didn’t.

I’ve heard the argument from practicality for decades, but it just doesn’t pass the laugh test. When George Bush started the Iraq War, was that practical? No. When Donald Trump did everything Donald Trump does, was that practical? No. But they made big changes. Bad changes, but big changes.

So why is it that only the Republicans can make big changes? I think it’s because your position is the coward’s position. If you never try to make the country better in a major way, because you’re convinced it’s impossible, of course you’re always going to fail. And voters know this. We understand why people are afraid to take big steps, but we don’t respect it.

Few things here.

  • The war didn’t take Congressional action to start. Bush started it unilaterally and was later authorized in a bipartisan manner.
  • Republicans almost always act as a unified block regardless of what’s happening. There was one or two that acted like they might not vote with them but still had a 95%+ voting record. That’s why it was so amazing when John McCain prevented the killing of the ACA.
    3.The Senate heavily favors Republicans because of the number of small states so it’s much easier for them to get 50+ members and the house mildly favors the Republicans because of gerrymandering.
  • It’s easier to kill things and change the tax code than pass positive programs/laws. Because funding/tax bills have to originate from the House, the Senate historically just requires an up/down vote instead of requiring 60 votes like normal. This in association with 2 means programs can be starved of funding and tax changes are much easier for Republicans.
  • Democrats will vote for Republican sponsored things if it benefits the people. Like keeping the government open or the minor crime reform bill the was passed during Trump. The reverse largely isn’t true.
  • This isn’t defeatist. It’s a realistic understanding of how the systems work. The fact that we got so many major things passed with such a tiny amount of control and in such a small amount of time is amazing.