W. Post-Opinion: Biden did not run to stage a revolution. Progressives should stop demanding one.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Joe did not run on MFA or a drastic revolution and do not expect one I agree with the Washington Post

Link to tweet

For a moment, progressives seemed to have a dream opportunity to imprint their vision on the country. Democrats in March muscled through a big covid-19 relief bill on a party-line vote. The party seemed unified enough to leverage its thin majorities, as senior lawmakers prepared infrastructure and social spending bills that would cost trillions.

These dreams were never realistic, and they are now evaporating. But many progressives are having trouble accepting this, looking for gimmicky ways to enact broad structural change despite centrists’ objections.

To address the demands of key moderates, Democrats must cut back their big social spending bill from $3.5 trillion to $2 trillion or less. While all seem to agree that there is no way around slashing the price tag for Sens. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), they disagree on how to do it. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) sent a letter to lawmakers last week arguing that Democrats should “do fewer things well.” House progressives responded with a letter arguing that Democrats should not cut programs but merely fund all of them for a shorter period of time. “This is our moment to make the President’s vision a reality,” the letter read. “This bill offers us a chance to fundamentally transform the relationship between the American people and their government.”

But that is not what President Biden promised when he ran for president. Mr. Biden handily beat the left’s candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), in the Democratic primaries, arguing that one need not stage a revolution to do good. He spoke about returning normalcy and competence to Washington, not renegotiating the social contract.

[JoeOtterbein]

1. And we are supposed to believe that Jeff Bezos had no influence...

...over this smear of Biden and Bernie?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Joe beat the progressives rather easily in the primary by not promising a reovlution

I agree with Nancy Pelosi that this bill should focus on doing fewer things well.

BTW, when I met Joe in person twice at fundraisers he made the same point that we do not need a revolution but a return to competent government. This article does not smear Joe but recites his position that he ran on in the primary

[JoeOtterbein]

5. Did Jeff have a hand in smearing me and others who believed Biden wants the bill?

I also want to know why? To save a few bucks in taxes he already does not pay?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

10. Joe has never asked for MFA or drastic restructuring of social programs

Do you have any authority for your claims?

[Budi]

4. one need not stage a revolution to do good. He spoke about returning normalcy and competence to Wash

"one need not stage a revolution to do good. He spoke about returning normalcy and competence to Washington"

That basic goal is why Joe Biden is President.

The peripheral noise is just that. Peripheral noise.

[Budi]

2. K & R Excellent Article. Truth is Joe Biden

"one need not stage a revolution to do good. He spoke about returning normalcy and competence to Washington, not renegotiating the social contract."

America has had enough of the noise.

Thanks for this OP, LetMyPeopleVote

[brer cat]

6. I agree. K&R

[Earth-shine]

7. Last I looked, it's not progressives holding up Biden's agenda.

It's getting held up and stripped away by the so-called moderates, and it's expected that progressives continue to give up their positions.

I find the user name of the person who made this OP so ironic. Historically, it's because of progressives that women and peoples of color actually have the vote.

[lapucelle]

8. It is because of Democrats that women and peoples of color have the right to vote.

T. Roosevelt was the progressive party nominee in 1916, but declined to run and endorsed the Republican.

And in case anybody needs a quick fact check... The New Deal was also the work of the Democratic Party. When asked by the press "what he was", FDR had a simple answer:

"I am a Christian and a Democrat. That is all."

[Cha]

11. TY for that FDR quote.. sounds like Pres

Joe Biden.

[lapucelle]

13. It's stunning when democratic socialists attempt to appropriate FDR's legacy.

Which of the F.D.R. Wannabes Actually Understands New Deal Liberalism?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/21/opinion/fdr-democrats-2020.html

Mahalo, my friend.

[Cha]

17. Yeah, I've seen that before..

it doesn't work.

[appalachiablue]

15. ++

[The Magistrate]

9. Revolution? The Reconciliation Bill A Revolution?

Anyone who says that seriously would show up at the emergency room for hangnail.

Absurd hyperbole.

[lagomorph777]

12. Biden's spending agenda is plenty progressive for me, and I am hyper-liberal/progressive.

The article is painting a false picture of the situation. The problem with infrastructure and BBB is not that Biden is unambitious. The problem is that we have two right-wing Senators nominally on "our" side who are sabotaging Biden.

The things I take issue with in the Biden administration are not really progressive things, per se, but purely about preventing the collapse of our democracy. These things are not controversial within the Democratic rank and file, as far as I know.

(1) Need to prosecute Trump and his henchmen for insurrection and lock them away for a very long time. This is not optional. They represent a very real danger to every American.

(2) Need to protect our elections. Bills to stanch the bleeding (i.e. prevent voter suppression and restore the Voting Rights Act and campaign finance reform) have quietly died and apparently been forgotten. There can be no doubt that this single thing will be fatal to our nation if not addressed immediately.

[Elessar Zappa]

14. It's not the progressives holding up Biden's agenda.

It’s the so-called “moderates” who are the problem.

[question everything]

16. Members of the left wing of the party hold the infrastructure hostage

It passed the senate, it can be the crown achievement during the 2022 and 2024 campaign.

Instead, their demand to bundle it with the other bill will never pass the senate and will be viewed by the R's as proof of the inability of the Democrats to govern.

Just pass the infrastructure bill!