Are Senate Democrats using every tool and/or tactic available to force votes on the USPS situation

[ecstatic]

and the other bills that are collecting cobwebs on Moscow Mitch's desk?

Every tool available, no matter how extreme or rare, needs to be used right now to address the USPS fiasco that's unfolding before our eyes. I am not satisfied with the, "It's sitting on Mitch's desk!" excuse. tRump is actively and aggressively interfering in our ability to vote in the upcoming election!

If Moscow's Bitch won't take action, democrats must go around him and stop worrying about future precedents at a time when tRump and republicans have completely disregarded all precedents and norms.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Senate went home until September.

[Laelth]

13. The House has already adjourned.

We will have no legislature until mid-September.

-Laelth

[at140]

2. Can someone please explain what Trump is trying to do to the post office?

Thanks in anticipation.

[LisaL]

3. He wants to screw it up so we can't vote by mail.

[at140]

9. I heard that but what is his proposed method to accomplish that?

Has Trump talked about cutting subsidies to Post Office?
Short of that I don't see how Trump can screw up the P.O. business.

[uponit7771]

15. His donor in charge of USPS is ordering the end to overtime, shutting down

... sorting machines and changing first class mail to bulk

He should be in jail

[at140]

20. I see, thanks for the info..nt

[LisaL]

28. He admits he doesn't want to fund it so it can't deliver ballots.

"President Donald Trump said Thursday that he opposes much-needed funding for the United States Postal Service because he doesn't want to see it used for mail-in voting this November."

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/13/politics/trump-usps-funding-comments-2020-election/index.html

[C_U_L8R]

4. McConnell's vacation has more priority

... than our democracy.

[SheltieLover]

5. I concur!

Further, I honestly believe DHS should remand him to custody. It is their job to protect us from terrorism.

Just because founders could not foresee traitor in WH & Senate & did not write it down is no excuse, imo. He has broken about every law there is.

Our country is an international laughing stock because we are bound by words written 200 yrs ago.

Coula shoulda woulda won't help if this lunatic nukes something.

[Hekate]

23. Dept of Homeland Security has no such authority. Where did you get this idea?

You are very eager to throw out the Constitution. As is Trump, may I point out. Why?

[SheltieLover]

25. It is their job to protect the country from terrorists

Time for intel to think outside the box. Hes nuts & has the football.

[Hekate]

26. You are very eager to throw out the Constitution, as is Trump. May I ask why that is?

[SheltieLover]

32. It's not that, Hekate

Not at all!

I don't want to see that maniac nuke something. He is increasingly desperate and unhinged.

Had the founsers been able to envision a traitor in the WH & a complicit Senate, they may have written a provision.

But because they didn't, should the intel community allow this to continue? I don't think so, prsonally. Not that I get a vote on that. Lol

Just sharing my opinion.

And I'm sure they will do absoluty nothing. Patriarchy is great at being reactionary, rather than proactive.

[Hekate]

36. Uh huh. As long as you understand that what you are advocating is the overthrow of a troubled but

...still-existing democratic republic, with a Constitution revered the world over. That “200-year old piece of paper” you scorn as toothless has been and remains the template for every other aspiring democracy since our nation was founded.

We are struggling now, and struggling hard. But expecting the DHS to step in, when we can see their fascist methods on display every godsdamned day and night, would put the final nail in the coffin. Who do you think is shooting rubber bullets and throwing tear gas canisters at peaceful protestors? Usually DU posters of your inclination make a plea for a military coup, which would likewise put the final nail in the coffin of our democratic republic.

I always wonder why, in a community that prides itself on an understanding of the US Constitution and civics, there are always a few people who believe the current situation calls for the final dismantling of that Constitution.

[SheltieLover]

37. I think you are misunderstanding my intention

And I would greatly appreciate you not infering that I have ill intent. I do not.

I fear for our country and the world.

[Hekate]

39. I think I do understand your intention. You come across as well-meaning, but the results...

...would be the end of our democratic republic, and we would assuredly join the roster of failed states that gave up and went for the nearest available strongman to solve their woes.

[SheltieLover]

41. Ty for sharing your opinion.

I will not be responding to you anymore.

[Hekate]

43. Oh that's quite all right. Others can read my responses, and besides...

...a person who can do over 6,000 posts since March is a very busy person.

[SlogginThroughIt]

57. I also understand what you are saying

But you could have been a bit nicer about it.

Frankly what are we to do when the president is working to destroy democracy? Let it happen for the sake of democracy?

If our vote is under siege what then is the recourse?

[Hekate]

59. These are stressful times. Periodically DU gets an OP about how "the military" or "the generals" ...

...should solve our problem with our POTUS by removing him from the White House. Invariably, there are a number of other posters who agree. This has happened before, specifically during the Bush/Cheney administration. The difference with this poster is their desire to use the Dept of Homeland Security for this purpose — and DHS was tasked overall with battling the Moms of Portland and other peaceful protestors!

Periodically, there are other OPs by other DUers conveying what they think is the brilliant notion of finishing the work of the Civil War by dividing the states into two or more countries. Or dividing California into 3 states in a mistaken belief that we would then have 6 assured Democratic Senators in the US Senate. That, btw, is a fantasy — the California interior tends to be quite conservative, but are outnumbered and hence outvoted by the people on the coast.

I used to give long involved treatises on why this was all a very bad idea. However, the energy that used to propel me in 2002 has been stomped into utter exhaustion by Donald Trump. Therefore I boil it down as I just did: if we experience a military coup, our republic will be at an end. In this, I will not change my mind.

The person I was responding to has carried this thought from one thread to another. I am not, repeat not following them around. However, I will not let this nonsense go unchallenged if I encounter it.

[Hekate]

61. What should we be doing? What we are already doing, among other things. Biden, afaik...

...has a lot of lawyers all over the country looking into voter suppression issues. Biden and the DNC are not asleep at the switch. I think they are strategizing what to do if the mad king declares victory before all the votes are counted. They seem to have learned from 2016 and 2000. I surely do hope so.

If all fails, the republic will have fallen. If so, I have no idea.

[SlogginThroughIt]

62. I remember how that went in 2000.

[Hekate]

63. No one but the GOP was expecting a bloodless coup d'etat

Obama was better prepared, I think. But the forces aligned against Hillary were international in scope.

Whoever wants the American Experiment finished and the glassware in the lab smashed has been at this a long time.

[Hekate]

22. Try writing her office

[shanti]

40. I have.

As well as Kamala, and my House Rep, Ami Bera.

[Hekate]

44. Excellent. Hopefully someone at the office can lay out what her activities have been...

Last edited Thu Aug 13, 2020, 11:27 PM - Edit history (1)

...and if nothing else, they do keep track of how many constituents are saying what.

[Trumpocalypse]

7. Democrats have no power in the Senate

There is nothing they can do.

[Doremus]

12. This is the kind of thinking that has helped put us in this spot.

Negativity begets negativity.

Don't tell us what we can't do. Tell us what we CAN DO. And there are many things we can do.

[Trumpocalypse]

16. It's not negative thinking

It’s reality.

Learn how the Senate works.

[ecstatic]

30. Can the motion to discharge or non-germane amendment tactic be used?

From my understanding, those are ways to get around MM. I scanned the legislation and it does look like MM runs a super tight ship and at first glance, I have not seen any bills that can be commandeered and repurposed, but what about the other option?

[Trumpocalypse]

34. No

[Demsrule86]

19. We can't do anything except pressure individual senators.

[StarfishSaver]

24. That's not negative thinking. It's just a fact

What "many things" are you sure they can do but aren't doing?

[shanti]

42. They have a voice

and constituents! If they aren't up to the job, maybe they should retire!

[Trumpocalypse]

46. Still can't do anything in the Senate

as long as the Republicans are in charge.

[Thomas Hurt]

8. AFAIK, no one is doing anything, at least in the public view.

[Hekate]

38. No one?

smh

[Laelth]

48. No.

They’ve all gone home. The legislature is not scheduled to return to Washington until mid-September. Right now, they’re not doing anything other than campaigning.

-Laelth

[Doremus]

10. Agree 100%

They need to do *something*, we've had enough strongly worded letters.

Some suggestions:

1. Organize walkouts and protests in their home districts (don't leave it to the activists --- get in there and ORGANIZE THEM)
2. Same for DC
3. Shame their repuke colleagues by challenging them to a public debate
4. There are many more possibilities, add 'em if you got 'em

[Demsrule86]

17. Not they ...we people we.

[StarfishSaver]

27. Why are you waiting for senators to stage walkouts (walk out of where?) and protests?

Challenge to a public debate? They've been debating this publicly - every day on the floor. Have you ever watched them?

And if they challenge them to a debate outside of the floor and they say no, then what?

What do you think will be the outcome if they do these things? How will this stop Trump from doing what he's doing to the Postal Service?

[Laelth]

11. No. Everyone has gone home.

We won’t have a legislature until mid-September.

-Laelth

[Demsrule86]

14. Just stop...

there is nothing that elected can do...but we can call the Senate...GOP types...I have called mine everyday...his office guy and and I are on a first name basis.

[Trumpocalypse]

18. Thanks

[Demsrule86]

51. We have to take it day by day. But I believe if Trump think Democrats will play his game, he is in

for a big surprise. I have no intention of voting by mail... I will early vote if possible or show up on election day with my mask. I have volunteered to man the polls too...yeah life threatening since here in Ohio, you don't need a mask to vote . I will do what it takes to kick that orange bastard out of the White House.

[StarfishSaver]

29. Thank you

The "they oughta do something" demands are tiresome.

[ecstatic]

31. Watching our "democracy" die in real time is tiresome as well. nt

[StarfishSaver]

33. It is. But whining about how other people need to be "doing something" isn't going to save anything

And 9 times out of 10, the complaints about how Democratic Members of Congress and Senators aren't doing enough usually come from people who have no idea what most of these folks are actually doing, don't bother to find out, and just assume that, unless they see it on MSNBC, it's not happening.

[Trumpocalypse]

35. Well said nt

[Demsrule86]

53. Stop sitting on the sidelines watching and take action. The House can't save us not

when you have Trump and the Senate in GOP hands. Early vote, vote in person, drop your ballot off...Call your elected every damn day. Do what you can.

[Demsrule86]

50. What should they do? We can call and I hope the fact they may lose the Senate will help...but

who knows?

[StarfishSaver]

52. You didn't answer the question

What should they do that they aren't already doing that will actually make a difference?

[Demsrule86]

55. I am talking about what we can do. I don't see the house as able to do much except show up

and shame the GOP every chance they get.

[StarfishSaver]

56. Gotcha!

[ecstatic]

58. I don't agree with you on this point. Nancy can issue subpoenas

or even do another impeachment. I get that many don't have the appetite for that type of thing right now, but she could do that if she wanted to.

[Demsrule86]

60. Sure subpoenas that will be ignored and another imnpeachment this close to an election would

be very foolish when there will be no conviction in the Senate. What you suggest would have no effect.

[StarfishSaver]

66. Because Impeachment has proven so effective in stopping Trump ...

And what would subpoenas do at this point, even if they were complied with (which they wouldn't be)? Get someone to come in and testify? And then what?

[ecstatic]

45. I've emailed Loeffler and Perdue, but I haven't attempted calling.

You know what? I think I will. I just need to get someone more articulate than me to join the call.

[Demsrule86]

49. I call all the time...Portman's office...

It may not do any good but I believe if enough folks call, we can beat them.

[Hekate]

21. The GOP majority/Mitch McConnell has gone on vacay for a month

The solution: vote them out in November. Send $$$$ to their Democratic opponents.

[budkin]

47. No. They aren't.

Didn't they write a letter though?

[StarfishSaver]

54. What should they do that they're not doing that will make a difference?

[budkin]

64. How about raise holy hell like the GOP would do if the situation were reversed?

Trump is literally stealing the election in front of our faces, and taunting us.

[StarfishSaver]

65. Exactly what does "raising Holy Hell" look like to you?

And are Democratic senators the only peoe capable of raising it?

And then what? What outcome would raising this "Holy Hell" produce?

You seem to be very aware of the problem. Are you raising Holy Hell?