Working Toward What Is Possible

[MineralMan]

That's what we need to be doing. Too many people, I believe, are wasting time proposing and fighting for things that will not and cannot happen in the current situation. For example, I read today that someone thinks that we should "insist" that Merrick Garland fill the next vacancy on the Supreme Court. That's impossible with the current makeup of the Senate. Impossible.

And yet, people will create petitions and exert themselves to try to make something that cannot possibly happen. Such efforts are a complete and total waste of time, accomplish nothing, and divert energy from things we can do and can make happen. Every minute and dollar spent on chasing false dreams is a minute and dollar not spend on working toward what we can actually accomplish.

For example, in only about 18 months, every seat in the House of Representatives will be subject to an election, as will one-third of the seats in the Senate. State legislatures will also be elected in many states in 2018. We need to be putting our energy and money into helping ensure that we elect a majority of Democrats in Congress and in every state legislature where that is possible.

It's going to be a tough thing to accomplish. It's going to take dedication, hard work, and money to do that. But, nothing else we can possibly do will have a greater impact than gaining majority control of both houses of Congress and state legislatures. Nothing. With that accomplishment, we can put up an impenetrable barrier to the plans of Republicans to dismantle and destroy this country.

Don't try to do what is impossible to do. Don't waste your time on wild goose chases. There are things we can actually DO, if we all work together to make them happen. Before investing your time, energy, and money on any political goal, take the time to assess whether or not that goal can actually be accomplished. If not, drop it and focus on what CAN be accomplished.

That's my opinion. That's my advice. Thanks for taking the time to read it.

[TexasProgresive]

1. K & R

Ain't many chess players around. Going after tactical targets with no clear strategy is how to win battles and lose the war, or in this case, the game of politics. I don't vote on single issues. While I may be full on or off by a particular issue I know that by taking a "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" course I will alienate many who should be my allies on many issues.

[MineralMan]

2. Yes. We need to think strategically and long-term

if we're going to recover from the current situation. Single issues and short term goals will not get the job done, I believe. I hope we get that figured out in time to be effective in our battle. If we do not, the Republicans, who have been thinking strategically for decades, will gain more ground. We need to deliver a punishing blow to their long-term plans in 2018.

I fear we will not take a long enough view, though, and will continue to fight a skirmish style of war, attempting to take positions that don't actually matter in the long run.