Eugene Robinson: Democrats won power. Now, they need to use it.

[babylonsister]

Democrats won power. Now, they need to use it.
Opinion by
Eugene Robinson
Columnist
Jan. 25, 2021 at 4:37 p.m. EST


Democrats worked long and hard to win power. Now, for the good of the country and the world, they need to use it — with determination and without fear.

Republican calls for President Biden and the Democratic majorities in Congress to settle for half-measures in the name of “unity” would be laughable if they weren’t so insulting. The GOP’s definition of unity would require not doing anything the GOP opposes. To accept that would be a betrayal of the citizens who voted in record numbers — some of them braving a deadly pandemic in the process — to put the Democratic Party in charge.

A better way to seek unity is to vigorously pursue policies that have broad public support — and that begin to clean up the shambles the Biden administration inherits. Democrats may have slim majorities, but they have been given a mandate to lead. They need to remember the past four years when Republicans controlled the White House and Senate. The GOP grandly pronounced that “elections have consequences” and treated the Democratic minority like a doormat.

I’m not advocating payback for payback’s sake, tempting as that might be, but just being realistic. Look at where we are: More than 400,000 Americans have died from covid-19 — a higher number than any other nation. There has been such chaos in the rollout of lifesaving vaccines that the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn’t been able to find out how many doses are available or where they might be. We’re in a “K-shaped” recovery from the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression. The wealthy are seeing their stock portfolios soar while the poor and working class face hunger and fear. Calls for a reckoning on racial justice have gone unanswered and there were ridiculous Trump-era energy policies that ignored the existential crisis of climate change.

So yes, President Biden, if Republicans won’t help, you should continue to do as much as you can through executive action. And yes, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Senate should be prepared to abolish the filibuster — and should pull the trigger sooner rather than later if Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) continues to block the chamber from even getting organized to do its work.

more...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/democrats-won-power-now-they-need-to-use-it/2021/01/25/fc797318-5f48-11eb-afbe-9a11a127d146_story.html

[luv2fly]

1. HELL YES

But I fear the filibuster ain't going nowhere, not with at least two Dems not in support of abolishing it.

[BigmanPigman]

2. Treat them as they have treated us for the last 20 years.

[dalton99a]

9. Absolutely.

[Vivienne235729]

3. EXACTLY! McConnell has made it clear he was going to push his agenda regardless of the democrats.

We need to show them the exact same thing. There will be no unity or higher moral ground crap. Do what we need to do. JUST. GET. IT. DONE.

[Vivienne235729]

10. Give her some time. I can totally see her saying exactly that.

Btw, I REALLY like her. She is smart as a whip and fierce as all get out. It is so refreshing (and a big relief) to see an entire presser and not one lie. It brings a tear to my eye.

[Vivienne235729]

11. 1000+

[spanone]

5. ⭐️⭐️⭐️K&R ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Guilded Lilly]

7. Fight back ffs. Fiercely. Might FOR right (to quote a "King" with a round table)

The Republicans are wrong. They need corrected.
If not NOW...
We are lost.

[dalton99a]

8. Use it, or it will be taken away and used against them by Republicans.

[Ferrets are Cool]

12. We voted.

The power needs to be used.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

13. Moscow Mitch was not voted majority leader. Stop treating him like he was.

[love_katz]

14. Huge kick and rec.I

Kick Moscow Mitch hard, right where he deserves it most. He has done nothing to deserve any consideration at all. He's done nothing but obstruct anything that his rich donor-owners don't want or approve of. Don't let him continue to jerk the majority of our country around any more.