Congrats, GOP: You just won control of Congress with a Democratic president

[kpete]

Congrats, GOP: You just won control of Congress with a Democratic president
by Jed Lewison

Dear Republicans:

Congratulations. You just took control of Congress for the next two years. It must feel great. You should celebrate now, because pretty soon you're going to realize it's going to be an agonizingly long two years—as long as Democrats follow these three simple pieces of advice:


Now that Republicans control the Senate and the House, they need to supply the votes for everything—no more bailouts from the Democratic caucus, bailouts that made sense when Democrats controlled one of the chambers.
The president should wield the veto liberally, vetoing every measure to come from Congress that would undermine things like Obamacare or damage the government's ability to deliver the services the country expects from it—and congressional Democrats should support his vetoes.

The president should take executive action wherever he can, within the constraints of the law, to accomplish goals like creating a humane immigration policy and dealing with climate change. If the Republicans don't like it, they can impeach him.

Again, congratulations guys. You've achieved the goal that Mitch McConnell set out for you, and you did it by systematically trying to prevent Democrats from implementing progressive policies. Just keep in mind that turnabout is fair play, and if Democrats are smart, that's exactly what's going to happen.

Best regards,
Jed

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/05/1342135/-Congrats-GOP-You-just-won-control-of-Congress-with-a-Democratic-president

[IdaBriggs]

1. Ah, but the Democrats are like my local football team:

Masters at pulling defeat from the jaws of Victory.

Although THIS YEAR, I'm sure things are going to be TOTALLY different!

[BlueCaliDem]

2. Thanks, kpete. Yours is one of the few uplifting posts thusfar that's made this day look

a little brighter for us Democrats. Thanks so much.

[leftstreet]

3. Meh. The Dems were already letting the GOP control everything

Don't see what difference it'll make, other than making Dem excuses easier

[BrotherIvan]

4. +1

This new meme of wishful thinking, i.e. "the veto pen" is just like "becoming more liberal in his second term."

[Kelvin Mace]

7. Methinks the "veto pen"

will have no ink.

[BrotherIvan]

9. It's funny how this imaginary life ring has blazed its way through the boards today

[CrispyQ]

5. Yes, a dem president that is in favor of chained CPI, the Keystone pipeline & the TPP.

I feel so much better.

[Kelvin Mace]

6. This would be wonderfully consoling

if I did not have the (deeply cynical, I know) suspicion that Obama and a handful of Dems are going to roll on us. And I won't even get into of the cynical examples, just a realistic one:

The GOP is going to put forth a budget that gives them EVERYTHING they have wanted for the last six years: Massive tax cuts for the wealthy, privatizing SS, privatizing education, de-fanging regulatory agencies, abortion at 20 weeks, all the guns people can eat, etc. And the hostage with be defaulting on the debt. Obama and the Dems will cave rather than burn the world economy to the ground.

The "Full faith and credit" of the United State government is all the leverage they need.

[MoonchildCA]

8. Anyone who doesn't think this president is willing to compromise with republicans...

...is delusional. He's met them on their side time and time again, and they just keep on moving the goal line further and further to the right.

[truedelphi]

10. And what makes it even better for the GOP is that

When push comes to shove, Obama will do as they suggest. (Even before the pushing or shoving takes place.)