Rude One: Note to Anxious Progressive Democrats in Congress: Take the Deal...

[babylonsister]

https://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2021/10/note-to-anxious-progressive-democrats.html

The Rude Pundit
Proudly lowering the level of political discourse
10/26/2021
Note to Anxious Progressive Democrats in Congress: Take the Deal (And Then Fuck Up the Party)


snip//

What the delay in passage means is that there's a delay in implementing the genuinely paradigm-shifting aspects of the bill, which, of course, were much greater back then. And the delay in implementation means a delay in the very real people affected by the bill seeing their lives improved by its very real benefits. And that delay can have an effect in the perception of the bill and the Democrats come the 2022 midterms.

That's why I'm saying that progressive Democrats should vote for whatever bastardized, moderated-to-an-inch-of-its-sad-life version of the reconciliation bill comes out of finally bringing Manchin and Sinema the orgasmic release they obviously desire. Yes, it's criminal to reduce in any way efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Yes, it's fucked beyond fucked that massively popular measures like prescription drug price negotiation or paid family leave or expanded Medicare benefits are being bargained down or out. All of that is so fucking true. It is like eating a shit sandwich with a piss shake.

Progressives need to suck it all up and vote for the goddamn bill because most of the things that will remain come from a progressive viewpoint on the role of government. We need to be able to show voters that the federal government can actually act to improve their lives. That's how this is supposed to work. If you do shit for people and they can tell that you've done shit for them, then maybe they'll connect you with the shit you've done and vote for you. (Of course, you have to make sure they know you did that shit. See the Affordable Care Act.) We're obviously not talking about MAGA voters here suddenly turning Democratic because they actually can intellectually connect Biden with the $300 a month they're getting to help them raise their families. No, we're talking about motivating Democratic voters and, especially, those "independents" who don't normally vote in midterms to get off their asses and vote.

I fucking hate saying all this. But I've got two other reasons why:

First, there's the looming threat of a Republican takeover of the House and, perhaps, the Senate. If that happens, 2024 is going to be a fucktastrophe, on top of nothing getting done except endless investigations of Hunter Biden and fake voter fraud. It will be MAGA up your asshole for years.

Second, if something gets passed, then it's time for progressive and liberal Democrats to parlay that into electoral strength. "Oh, you like 4 weeks of paid maternity leave at 85% of your pay? How about 12 week at 100%?" we can say. You can make the case that bigger benefits are possible with a bigger majority. Don't be stupid about it: no Democrat is going to win in Marjorie Taylor Greene's district. And, in West Virginia, Joe Manchin's about all we've got. But, fuck yeah, we can go after Sinema's seat. Democrats in Arizona are fucking pissed at her. And, yeah, we can challenge in Pennsylvania, Nevada, perhaps Texas, and other places.

more...

https://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2021/10/note-to-anxious-progressive-democrats.html

[JohnSJ]

1. I agree with the assessment, but I think this will rub some the wrong way. It all depends on egos

at this stage

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. This must have been written before paid leave was stripped out completely. Nt

[Elessar Zappa]

5. It still has to pass.

What other choice is there? Nothing?

[mcar]

3. The rude one is 100% correct

kick

[leftstreet]

4. If you can't deliver dental for seniors, don't propose it

Things like paid leave, lower RX prices, increased minimum wage are things people see as real benefits.

If you propose it and don't deliver on it, voters just see it as one more promise politicians made to get elected. Regardless of which party it's coming from

[Elessar Zappa]

6. It's Manchin and Sinema screwing everything up.

Not Biden’s or other Democrats’ fault at all.

[leftstreet]

7. Has the average voter even heard of Mansion or Cinema?

Will they take to the midterm booths thinking "ah yes, mom can't get hearing aids or dental work but it was just those 2 senators who did that"

[Elessar Zappa]

8. I'm just saying who's screwing everything up.

Regardless of who voters blame, we know who is actually to blame.

[qazplm135]

9. Except there's no deal yet

Because two Senators STILL won't fully commit to voting for it.