What if we could make the Republican Party irrelevant

[MineralMan]

for many years to come? Would that be a goal we could all get behind? I think so.

Well, we pretty much can do that in 2016. The Republicans will have Donald Trump as their presidential candidate, much to their consternation. He managed to do something nobody thought he could do by convincing enough people to vote for him in primaries that the party really can't afford to change the rules in midstream to get rid of him. He will be the nominee.

What does that mean? Well, it means that a lot of Republicans who lean toward the center will not vote for the orange-haired buffoon. They may not vote for Hillary Clinton, of course, so many of them will do what too many Democrats do in mid-term elections and stay home on election day. That gives us, as Democrats, a unique opportunity.

With many Republicans opting to opt out of this election, we could turn out a flood of Democratic voters in November, if we really wanted to cripple the GOP. We could flip even some House seats that seem unflippable, while gaining a Democratic majority in the Senate large enough to block any filibustering nonsense. We could do those things, but only if we really want to. If we just shrug and let Hillary win by default, those things won't happen.

I want to. I want as many others to want the same thing as possible. I want Democrats of all stripes to get out there and get out the voters in November. Instead of a divided government, I want Democratic majorities in all three branches. The President and Senate could work together to put decent people in the SCOTUS. The House and Senate could work together to pass progressive legislation in all areas to send to the White House for a welcome signature.

Wouldn't that be terrific? Wouldn't that make your day? Yes? So, let's do it. Let's put aside petty bickering and come together to accomplish a goal that is clearly and obviously worthy. Let's put a big Democratic foot on the Republican Party's neck and then watch what can happen when we're in charge of stuff in all three branches.

What do you say? Shall we do this remarkable thing? I think we should. Really I do.

[HassleCat]

1. We can do that.

We certainly know how. We did it to our own party.

[MineralMan]

2. And I think we should do that.

If we do, we'll all be surprised at how much progress we could make. And isn't that the real goal we all share?

[bigwillq]

3. An opposition party will prob never be irrelevant

There will always be resistance from the other side.

It appears the DEMs have a chance to do really well in 2016 but a lot can change by the time 2018 rolls around.

[MineralMan]

4. One election at a time, thanks.

This one.

[bigwillq]

5. You're the one who brought up many years to come

I just don't see either party having a grip on any branch for long periods of time.

[MineralMan]

6. Maybe, if we can actually see some results,

Democrats will turn out for mid-term election, too. Maybe if the Republicans can't block important legislation, people who are easily discouraged can be convinced to vote in those elections. Goodness knows I've been trying to get people to vote in those elections for decades, without much success. I'd like to see that change. Maybe success will make it happen.