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In reply to the discussion: Can YOU Stand Another 4 To 8 Years Of A Progressive Sounding Democrat... Governing... [View all]Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)However, if liberals and progressives (they are not synonymous) turn their back then Conservative Republicans will be elected, because we have a government elected by those who vote. If the base chooses not to vote, then they have decided that they prefer a right wing, conservative government. They have allowed those who vote to make the decision for them. People who don't vote get what they deserve while those of use who vote will suffer.
People who want to make the government better, will take a careful look at the Democrat and Republican running and vote for the one that best fits their political ideology. There will always be one candidate that is a little better, even if the difference is only measured in microns.
Change in any political system is incremental. I would rather see things made better in a small way than wreck the nation by tilting at windmills.
A Democratic President in 2016 will appoint two more justices at least. The worst possible justice Candidate appointed by a Democrat will be far better than the best possible candidate appointed by a Republican. A Democrat will re-balance the court in favor of the people. A Republican will cement conservative control over the Justice System.
The Court is just one issue.
Then there is the House and the Senate. If Republicans maintain control over those branches, even a President Warren and Vice President Sanders (this would be in an alternate universe where she actually runs) will get dick done. Republicans understand that the party that holds the congress sets the agenda. Presidents can do very limited things with executive orders, and Obama is stretching that authority to its limit.
Liberals and Progressives that want real change will vote for any Democrat running for the House and Senate. Third way centrists will round out the numbers to make a majority. There are states where a liberal will never get elected and we need to control some of those seats in order to set the agenda for the nation.
Whoever is elected will be likely be consumed for four years with the war with ISIL. This will consume a lot of lives and even more money. I would rather have any Democrat overseeing that Cluster fuck than any Republican.
Only a Democratic President with a Democratic House and Senate will act to do something about global warming. That is an issue that will affect every person on the dammed planet. Republicans will continue to slouch toward oblivion.
If Liberals and Progressives decide that they just can't vote for a Liberal, Socialist, Centrist, Center-Right or conservative Democrat, then we will ride to hell in a hand basket together.
It makes a difference who is in charge.