Democracy is only as good as the voters. In this case, the voters of Arizona elected Krysten Sinema, and the voters of West Virginia elected Joe Manchin. The country is stuck with them until their voters replace them, and there is little hope that their replacements will be more progressive. That's why democracy is all about compromise. We need to stop crying about what we wish for and either move to one of these states or figure out how to persuade their voters to make different choices. Criticizing Biden, Schumer, or others does not make anything change. They can't force Manchin or Sinema to vote with the Party. Like it or not, the power lies with those who cast ballots in specific jurisdictions.
I put no stock in Biden as a FDR or LBJ lite or otherwise. It is a pity and I hoped I was wrong but I'm too old and saw Joe in action for years. It will take progressives not capitulating the being in the "always over the barrel" and voting for these corporate Dems in the least worst mode.
Sadly, it looks like the moment will be squandered. Sometimes I wonder if the Democrats even want to win and govern. They are using all kinds of excuses for not passing strong legislation - remember the parliamentarian?
Once again, disappointment. I've been busy in politics since I was 15 (stuffed envelopes for A. Stevenson). That was 70 years ago. I've been at it a long time. Roe v Wade was a big milestone. Voting rights in '65, ditto. I really had hoped that this time we would actually DOIT! Hard to be so wrong @ 85, and running out of time. BASTA!
The difficulty in WV is that Democrats don't have a prayer of winning elections for Federal offices. Manchin is not a Democrat -- he's what was once called a fiscally conservative, moderate Republican. He doesn't represent his constituents, he represents his corporate and wealthy donors. The fundamental, structural problems in our political system, plus the impact of huge amounts of unaccountable money, will doom us. We are headed for one-party minority rule.
The nicest thing I can think of to say about the Biden Presidency. I think he is often confused.
Even though President Reagan had Alzheimer’s during his Presidency he had “people” around him to uphold the agenda of his party. The fact that the Democratic’s have no cohesive agenda leaves us flailing, in this lawless, divided country 😬
There really is only one way to keep our sanity at this moment in America, and that is to hold Hope very close. While I do not see an FDR inside of President Biden, he is earnest in his desire to work for us. My goodness, he stays awake...a lot!! And at 78 that is not so easy! All of us who care deeply and are concerned must find ways to participate by our vote and more. It is horrifying that Manchin can control the safety of our Democracy and Sinema is a loose cannon, and truly a dangerous senator. At a time of such a fragile hold on “true freedom”, they are beyond any sane comprehension! While democracy is about compromise, we cannot just “ compromise” it away.
Nixon wanted a slew of progressive programs like universal healthcare. In the end, all he got was the EPA. Democrats stopped him. Fast forward to now. The Democrats want a slew of progressive programs like universal healthcare. The republicans stopped them.
If you haven't already thought about this, I'll point it out. We are a country with a few VERY rich people who don't want change. It doesn't matter which party is which any more. They will gerrymander, suppress votes, lie, cheat, steal, and even kill to keep the status quo of HUGE money coming into their pockets. The axis of evil in the healthcare world is pharma, doctors and hospitals all 3 of who make enormous amounts of money on the status quo and that's just one industry.
Look at the environmental movement. "Planet of the Humans" the documentary, makes very clear that the "champions" of the environmental movement are sell-outs to big money interests like Exxon and others.
They have a great deal money and a great deal of patience. We, it seems, don't have enough of either.
Biden on board, 48 democratic senators on board. Unfortunately, the voters elected 50 republican senators, plus Manchin and Sinema. The fault is in the voters, not Biden and most democrats.
Biden's obsession with Kumbaya has confused consensus with capitulation. It is nothing short of heartbreaking to watch the Democrats, yet again, mutilate and sabotage their own agenda in an à priori-doomed effort to win over selfish corporate sellouts. Though it be cliché, we really were on the brink of making historical progress. However, it also needs to be said that by their repeated irresponsible definition of Manchin and Sinema as Democratic "moderates" and "centrists," the media have been and are complicit in ensuring this administration's failure to craft a message regarding the degree to which this current legislation would have benefitted the immense majority of the American people. The emphasis was always on the price tag, although no one bats an eye that the Pentagon spending over the next decade will be far more than TWICE the original $3.5 trillion estimated cost for the total package. Result: despite all the polls indicating overwhelming public support for this bill, we are left with a hollowed-out shell that will do precious little for the people and basically nothing to enhance Biden's political standing on either the domestic or the international stage. Meanwhile, the GOP stonewalls and gloats. They didn't have to lift a finger. The Democrats defeated themselves. Again. Now, onward and upward to hold the January 6th congressional coup plotters accountable! I won't be holding my breath.
Democracy is only as good as the voters. In this case, the voters of Arizona elected Krysten Sinema, and the voters of West Virginia elected Joe Manchin. The country is stuck with them until their voters replace them, and there is little hope that their replacements will be more progressive. That's why democracy is all about compromise. We need to stop crying about what we wish for and either move to one of these states or figure out how to persuade their voters to make different choices. Criticizing Biden, Schumer, or others does not make anything change. They can't force Manchin or Sinema to vote with the Party. Like it or not, the power lies with those who cast ballots in specific jurisdictions.
I put no stock in Biden as a FDR or LBJ lite or otherwise. It is a pity and I hoped I was wrong but I'm too old and saw Joe in action for years. It will take progressives not capitulating the being in the "always over the barrel" and voting for these corporate Dems in the least worst mode.
Sadly, it looks like the moment will be squandered. Sometimes I wonder if the Democrats even want to win and govern. They are using all kinds of excuses for not passing strong legislation - remember the parliamentarian?
Once again, disappointment. I've been busy in politics since I was 15 (stuffed envelopes for A. Stevenson). That was 70 years ago. I've been at it a long time. Roe v Wade was a big milestone. Voting rights in '65, ditto. I really had hoped that this time we would actually DOIT! Hard to be so wrong @ 85, and running out of time. BASTA!
The difficulty in WV is that Democrats don't have a prayer of winning elections for Federal offices. Manchin is not a Democrat -- he's what was once called a fiscally conservative, moderate Republican. He doesn't represent his constituents, he represents his corporate and wealthy donors. The fundamental, structural problems in our political system, plus the impact of huge amounts of unaccountable money, will doom us. We are headed for one-party minority rule.
The nicest thing I can think of to say about the Biden Presidency. I think he is often confused.
Even though President Reagan had Alzheimer’s during his Presidency he had “people” around him to uphold the agenda of his party. The fact that the Democratic’s have no cohesive agenda leaves us flailing, in this lawless, divided country 😬
There really is only one way to keep our sanity at this moment in America, and that is to hold Hope very close. While I do not see an FDR inside of President Biden, he is earnest in his desire to work for us. My goodness, he stays awake...a lot!! And at 78 that is not so easy! All of us who care deeply and are concerned must find ways to participate by our vote and more. It is horrifying that Manchin can control the safety of our Democracy and Sinema is a loose cannon, and truly a dangerous senator. At a time of such a fragile hold on “true freedom”, they are beyond any sane comprehension! While democracy is about compromise, we cannot just “ compromise” it away.
Thanks, Anand. I needed a shot in the arm today. And I like all the links in the piece. Hoping for a ZOOM soon!
Nixon wanted a slew of progressive programs like universal healthcare. In the end, all he got was the EPA. Democrats stopped him. Fast forward to now. The Democrats want a slew of progressive programs like universal healthcare. The republicans stopped them.
If you haven't already thought about this, I'll point it out. We are a country with a few VERY rich people who don't want change. It doesn't matter which party is which any more. They will gerrymander, suppress votes, lie, cheat, steal, and even kill to keep the status quo of HUGE money coming into their pockets. The axis of evil in the healthcare world is pharma, doctors and hospitals all 3 of who make enormous amounts of money on the status quo and that's just one industry.
Look at the environmental movement. "Planet of the Humans" the documentary, makes very clear that the "champions" of the environmental movement are sell-outs to big money interests like Exxon and others.
They have a great deal money and a great deal of patience. We, it seems, don't have enough of either.
Biden on board, 48 democratic senators on board. Unfortunately, the voters elected 50 republican senators, plus Manchin and Sinema. The fault is in the voters, not Biden and most democrats.
Biden's obsession with Kumbaya has confused consensus with capitulation. It is nothing short of heartbreaking to watch the Democrats, yet again, mutilate and sabotage their own agenda in an à priori-doomed effort to win over selfish corporate sellouts. Though it be cliché, we really were on the brink of making historical progress. However, it also needs to be said that by their repeated irresponsible definition of Manchin and Sinema as Democratic "moderates" and "centrists," the media have been and are complicit in ensuring this administration's failure to craft a message regarding the degree to which this current legislation would have benefitted the immense majority of the American people. The emphasis was always on the price tag, although no one bats an eye that the Pentagon spending over the next decade will be far more than TWICE the original $3.5 trillion estimated cost for the total package. Result: despite all the polls indicating overwhelming public support for this bill, we are left with a hollowed-out shell that will do precious little for the people and basically nothing to enhance Biden's political standing on either the domestic or the international stage. Meanwhile, the GOP stonewalls and gloats. They didn't have to lift a finger. The Democrats defeated themselves. Again. Now, onward and upward to hold the January 6th congressional coup plotters accountable! I won't be holding my breath.