Mitch and republicans need to be shown all the deference they showed Dems.

[onecaliberal]

There can be no concessions. We are the clear majority. We have much to do. Let’s get on it instead of worrying about the things evil people want. We’ve had plenty of that already. We cannot allow these anti American insurrection loving cowards to obstruct Americas agenda to Build Back Better.

[Faux pas]

1. YES!

[onecaliberal]

2. :

[Faux pas]

14. Back

at ya!

[FBaggins]

3. You're setting Democrats up to fail

Be careful. First midterm elections can be incredibly painful for the party in power. Too many people are demanding the whole wish list (expand the courts, get rid of the filibuster, sweeping changes to taxes and healthcare policy, etc. etc. etc...). They're going to feel betrayed when they don't get it (and they aren't likely to get much of it).

You say that we're the clear majority - but the truth is that this is likely the narrowest legislative majority in US history. A mere handful of vote switches in the House would doom any proposal. And the Senate is even closer. A broken-tie majority that only exists with unanimity and the VP around to break the tie.

If the expectations are too unrealistic... some Democrats are going to feel betrayed even when we didn't have the power to satisfy them in the first place. When redistricting and reapportionment make things even tougher... 2022 could be ugly.

[onecaliberal]

4. I'm not setting anyone up to fail. I'm saying we need to work in OUR

agenda. Not repuke failed policy. Not sitting on our hands while people can’t feed their kids. This bullshit idea that we need to coddle repukes has in my opinion contributed to why we’re here. Will we get it all done. No. I never expected us to. I do however expect us to work hard and try.

[FBaggins]

12. And when they can't do what you demand... you won't be upset?

It's already happened.

We had a thread here a few days ago saying that McConnell wanted to delay the impeachment trial until February. The almost-universal response here was to tell him to shove it. He's not in charge any longer and can't get what he wants. We run things.

Today we see that the trial is tentatively delayed well into February. One wonders how those posters are feeling about Schumer continuing to let McConnell get what he wants?

Whether you expect it to get done or not isn't important. But there are plenty of others who will see things like this as a failure to do what they have the power to do ("why we're here" as I read your words).

[Demsrule86]

15. You are setting Democrats up to fail because of expectations not based upon the reality we face.

We have a very slim majority with the VP. Some of what you want won't be possible unless or until we increase our majority in Congress.We have conservadems and moderates who will lose their seats if they vote for some of the things I have seen advocated here.

[Demsrule86]

11. I would hope that Democrats learned their lesson in 2010...when we lost the House and doomed

President Obama's agenda. We have to vote to keep the GOP out.

[FBaggins]

13. That's "sorta" the point of my post

Those demanding that we use our power to get everything we want (IMO) have not learned their lesson.

[Demsrule86]

16. Yes, I understand that. But is seems some are incapable of learning this particular lesson.

We saw it with Clinton, Obama...also I would say it reared its ugly head in the election of 2000 and 2016.

[onecaliberal]

18. First, I know exactly where we are. I'm in CA22 trump/Nunes country.

I am saying that we should stop catering to the Republicans constant hijacking of progress. These people still support trump and everything that entails. If there was any possible way they could have voided the votes of 80 million people they would have done it in a heartbeat. In fact, it wouldn’t be the first time republicans called an election for themselves by not counting votes to install their candidate. They are still today saying there were illegal voters/votes. Their code word for black voters.
AND I will be thrilled to pieces with any of our agenda becoming a reality.
I’m now sleeping at night because I know that the people in the White House are actually doing something about the pandemic. That science is finally going to prevail. I know POTUS wakes up and goes to sleep thinking about serving the American people. I know the American government isn’t actively trying to put my family in danger. I don’t check my phone 8 times in the middle of the night to see the latest horror.
People overwhelmingly voted for the democratic policy. Pandemic, Healthcare, economy, climate. That has to be our focus.

[StClone]

5. There is an effort to re-install reasonable processes

To install a calming routine after the calenture of Trump Kakistocracy.

-Slow down and look things over
-Not attempt to ram things through
-Listen to the other side
-Give peace a chance
-Follow past rules, precedence, procedures.

Another opportunity lost if we don't push good and not listen to the evil and bad of human nature (Republican criminal mind).

[magicarpet]

6. If we refrain from making bold moves and allow the Fascists to impede our progress,...

... and ability to help the American public, we will be sidelined again and pushed into the minority in both the House and Senate come 2022. All because taking bold action was considered against political decorum.

Fuck decorum,.... get the job done,... this is a national emergency that requires the boldest of actions.

Push the objectionists to the ground and stampede over them with legislation beneficial to the survival of the middle and lower classes.

The voters will reflect their gratitude come the midterm elections. We will strengthen our weak majority come 2022.

[onecaliberal]

7. Hear, hear.

[Demsrule86]

10. I agree completely now...we have moderates and conservadems in the party and GOP types who

walk in lockstep so explain in great detail how we do this. I think we can pick and choose what we can get done...my priorities are Pandemic/economic relief, fixing the ACA like we promised Georgia voters, and Green jobs, a new voter rights bill...etc. I hear all over DU how we have a big majority. We don't.

[onecaliberal]

19. IMO what will doom us is if we don't even try for the policy we ran on.

[SWBTATTReg]

8. Yeah, like sitting on some 400+ bills passed by the House and then sent to the Senate where...

scumbag sat on them, did nothing? No peace, no rest for the wicked (those republican senators)...all of them are guilty of aiding and abetting rump's illegal acts and attempts to subvert the votes of the voters (a clear victory by Mr. Biden).

[Demsrule86]

9. We are 50 50 that is the problem...this is why we need an agreement. I wish we could get a GOP

to switch.

[treestar]

17. I don't think we are a clear majority

Especially in an institution where they've managed to make it a supermajority required to even allow a vote.

They want nothing done and we want things to get done. That makes the Senate our biggest challenge.

People take out their frustrations on the majority leader rather than admit it's not that he/she is weak or spineless, it's that they want to get something voted on and passed, which is much harder to keep something from being voted on at all in that institution.

Instead, go to purple states to get more blue Senators and quit kvetching that they are not Bernie twins. And convince more red states people of progressive policies, so they will vote for such.

Reform the institution to make it more democratic. All the bills should be voted on. A majority should pass a bill, not a supermajority (except as provided for under the law).

[onecaliberal]

20. Very good suggestions and I agree.

We have to continue to organize at the local level. Chip away. It takes time.