General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: In the richest country in the history of the world, it should not be a luxury [View all]Hortensis
(58,785 posts)who don't vote and another 80,000,000 who vote against those things -- on BOTH right and left btw.
Those with liberal Democratic leanings are always the majority. We could usually sweep the board.
The problem is not a tiny fraction of very wealthy decisionmakers who know, but really hate to be reminded!, that we're far more powerful than them. And let's remember that a lot of wealthy Americans actually lean liberal (not a majority, of course) and have been waiting for the electorate to get fed up and insist on a new new deal. They don't want their nation to go down the RW toilet.
The problem is with the people. And I'm thinking specifically of the problem on the left. There's something really warped about claiming noble goals then sabotaging their achievement. Some do it every election, though.
Healthcare? We ARE a fabulously wealthy nation. If all the people who SAID they cared about universal healthcare voted Democrat to get it we'd all have had it our entire lives.
Equality of opportunity? The equalizing effects of social liberal cultural advances combined with the inexorable demographic progression have made great advances that couldn't be stopped by those who'd vote against.
But other advances, same as healthcare. If all those who said they wanted them voted Democratic, we've have been doing them for decades. Democrats finally at least almost had nationally subsidized community college/trade school, revolutionizing millions of lives. Almost! So close! If they'd failed every election up to 2020 but came through then, we'd have passed it, and other important goals, this year. Where were the MIAs who claim they care more than anyone else about equality of opportunity?
A livable minimum wage? Same thing. We had it practically in hand in 2016, and then a critical few threw it all away. More voted Democrat in 2020, bless them, but not quite enough. Where were the MIAs who claimed $15 was their personal holy grail? Still, President Biden and Senator Roadblock Manchin indicated they'd be open to a $12 increase from the $7.25 ( ) federal minimum. Where was the giant yes! from those who insisted they cared more about this than anyone? Think about it: Millions living on $290 a week MIGHT be living on $480 a week -- every week since then. Not nearly good enough, but so much better for people in trouble now! until we could do the rest.
Seriously, Mr. Ect3ed, WE were there with conviction of principle. Where were those others who always SAY they care more than anyone -- but not if it means voting Democratic to make it happen?