General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNo Shit. Of COURSE Filibuster Reform Failed. But There's Hope On The Horizon.
Filibuster reform cratered today, as any thoughtful observer knew it would: elected Democrats have made "we tried but we just can't stop the mean/crazy Republicans! They're so mean and crazy! Really, really mean and crazy!" their standard tactic for about a decade. And it's working great for them - they get to keep their seats because the mean/crazy Republicans look even worse than the "powerless" Democrats, and the 1% get to stay awash in vast torrents of 99% cash sent to them continuing horrific legislation.
So of course any reform that threatened their racket wasn't going to pass. Duh!
God forbid, if the filibuster had returned to being a nontrivial undertaking, elected Democrats would have to actually do stuff. Scary! Risky! Wall Street might be cross with them!
- George Washington
So, for the 99%, a guarantee of at least two more years of continued decline and austerity. Sucks to be us!
We'll get to watch amusing sideshows of Republicans doing staggeringly stupid stuff, and we laugh at them and are happy to not suck as bad as they do, while our country crumbles around us. The ranks of the homeless, the hungry, and the barely-hanging-on swell while we laugh our asses off at Ron Johnson, Rand Paul, and the rest of the crazies. Bread and circuses. But less bread - you know, we all need to sacrifice.
But the news isn't all bad. For the first time in a long time, we finally seem to have a small but coherent group of Democratic senators who really want to do the right thing. Merkley, Udall, Harkin, and Warren tried to help us. And Kerry's likely elected replacement, Ed Markey, can probably be counted on as well.
It's a start!
Moving forward, it's critical that we rank-and-file Democrats work to build upon this small group of FDR Democrats, to expand it until we have a Senate that once again works for working Americans.
I hope that all of DU commits to rebuilding our party back to being the protectors of "the rest of us". No more DLCThirdWay shapeshifting crypto-Republicanism. Enough!
We have a start. We can do this.
Onward!
Regards,
First-Way Manny
DonCoquixote
(13,615 posts)I actually and agreeing with, and K and Ring a manny post. Congrartulations!
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)Enjoy your stay!
leftstreet
(36,081 posts)Just thinking there might be a silver lining here...
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)beyond delusional...
TheProgressive
(1,656 posts)It is funny - we know that our policies make civilization healthy and prosperous for
everyone. But, for some unknown reason, we are a scared to do the right thing.
Why is that? Is evil really more powerful?
pscot
(21,023 posts)Do they swing any weight? Apparently not on filibuster reform. They served as a stalking horse for Reed.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)They need our help.
Let's do it!
antigop
(12,778 posts)Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)This even beats your Hillary post!
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)To create a true progressive backlash against the new gilded age.
abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)BlueStreak
(8,377 posts)TheKentuckian
(24,949 posts)Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)gateley
(62,683 posts)Chathamization
(1,638 posts)work hard to get strong progressive blocks in our local parties.
boomerbust
(2,181 posts)Republicans. Harry Reid is a bought and paid for hack FUCK HARRY REID!
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)Reid can only pass the legislation that his caucus will vote for. While he could have shown better leadership, I don't think we know the details of what he wanted himself.
I'm somewhat defensive of Reid because he's the only Democratic leader who has dependably defended Social Security, so I think he has some (and perhaps a lot) of decency in him.
mountain grammy
(26,571 posts)We did it in Colorado in 2012 and it wasn't easy, and it won't be easy to keep it that way. Republicans will cheat their way to power, then look out, the minority ruling the majority. That's how the Nazis did it.