From Sen. Patty Murray: "In 2017, don't ask me how I'm doing,

[pnwmom]

ask me WHAT I'm doing."

Some people have been asking what the Dems are up to now. This is the message Patty Murray has on Facebook today . . .

I've heard from so many of you in the past few months, asking me how I'm doing in this new world we find ourselves in. Our President-elect is already running away from his campaign promises to stand with workers, women, and families. His cabinet picks have been appalling, he continues to try and distract the country with absurd tweets and irresponsible comments, and his policy plans are terrifying. I know it can be hard to feel hopeful right now, but I want you to know that I won’t give up. I’m going to keep fighting for you, for Washington state, and for all the hard-working families across the country -- no matter what. And in the new year, I don't want you to ask me how I'm doing, I want you to ask me what I'm doing. This year wasn’t a great year for our country, but we can’t just complain, we need to get ready to fight back and work to protect everything we have fought for and everything we care about -- because everything is at stake. So, as we head toward the new year, and as we prepare to spend time with our family and friends, let’s take this opportunity to recommit ourselves to the fight ahead. With your help, I know I can keep fighting, so thank you for standing with me now and in the year ahead. And Happy New Year to you and your family!

[dhill926]

1. good stuff....

[pangaia]

2. ?????? I don't know you. So, what ARE you doing, Patty?

Because most Dems don't seem to be doing shit.

There isn't time right now for family and friends or eggnog and fruitcake,,,

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. The question WE should be asking

is what WE are doing too? We can't lay it all on them either. Opposition to Trump has to be at all levels.

[herding cats]

30. It's a symptom of the internet.

People actually think being "outgaged" in a political forum is activism now. Be damned if the person they're outraged at is actually working their ass off for the better good, it wasn't in their twitter feed, or on cable news, so it's not real. Oh, and so what if they're taking up arms against someone not in their district, or state? They know all political microclimates mirror their own, exactly. If the person struggles it's because they're not leftist/progressive enough! Not because the majority of their voting demographic is other than themselves. Never that!

Ignore them as background noise, and volunteer in at risk and swing states next year. That's when 2018 begins. Be the change we need!

Please, be the change we need and do the good work where it's most needed. Don't waste your time on silly people and their faux outrage. It's a dead end, and we have real work to do.

[pnwmom]

4. Do you think that nothing's real unless it's in front of a TV camera?

Among other things, Patty Murray is preparing to fight for Obamacare, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/meet-the-dems-who-will-defend-obamacare

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will be taking over minority leadership from Harry Reid (D-NV), the top Democrat in the Senate since 2005 who retired this year.

But the Democrats who Senate aides and outside observers say will lead the charge against GOP efforts to destroy Obamacare are no strangers to health policy, or the hardball politics that surround it. They are Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) (pictured left), the ranking member of the Finance Committee, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) (pictured center), who leads the Democrats on HELP. Wyden and Murray were in the Senate when Obamacare passed and have faced off with Republicans over the role of government in health care since. Additionally, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) (pictured center), who was elected to the Senate in 2012, is also expected to play a public role in defending the law.

Given that Republicans are hellbent on repealing Obamacare and have the seats in the Senate to do it, Democrats face a daunting challenge in stopping them, under a President Trump, from dismantling President Obama’s signature legislative achievement. GOP congressional leaders have said it will be their first order of business when they come back to the new Congress next month, while signaling that they’ll use reconciliation, a procedural maneuver that requires only majority approval, to side step a Democratic filibuster in the Senate.

Democrats are united in opposing the repeal measure, but the thornier territory comes after repeal, if chaos ensues in the insurance markets, as health policy experts are predicting, and Republicans pressure Democrats to help them replace it. Twenty-three Senate Democrats (plus two independents who caucus with Democrats) will be up for re-election in 2018 -- 10 of them in states that voted for Trump this year. The GOP is hoping they’ll be able pick up votes for an eventual ACA alternative among those vulnerable Democrats, or at least, blame them if a replacement is never implemented.

[sheshe2]

6. +1000

[pangaia]

7. Great to hear. That'said why I asked.

[sheshe2]

5. Wow...

another post of yours only bashing Dems. I thought it was only the all caps one you posted to me.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028402440#post1

Now here you say...

There isn't time right now for family and friends

Actually I think this is a great time for family and friends to regroup, plan and take measures to watch each others backs. I am as angry as you with the result of DT-elect, yet bashing Dems with out any plan of your own is not the answer.

[pnwmom]

8. Of course they are human beings

who are entitled to spend the holidays with their families.

Thanks for reminding everyone of that.

[sheshe2]

10. I feel stronger having been with my family at Christmas.

Hugs, pmwmom.

Best to you and yours.

[pnwmom]

13. You too, sheshe2.

[pangaia]

11. Why are u jumping on me?

My reply to u was not complaining to you.
It is because I have seen and heard so little from our "dems." Is that "bashing" dems.. I don't think so.

Republicans, hate radio, media are out there lying their asses off and I see little firing back from our side.
"Bashing dems without a plan? I pay their salary for them to look out for us.
2- what is bashing? I am complaining. What... I am not allowed to complain?
3- I am not allowed to complain unless I have a plan?
4-I do what I can.. I write emails make phone calls, make small contributionswhen I can."
5- I actually helped elect a demo in my heavily Republic district several years. I worked hard enough and gave enough $$$ that I actually got invited to 2 events, at one of which I met Howard Dean andl at the other I met Hillary Clinton and Eliot Spitzer and somebody else.

That's my plan and it is about the best I can do.

Now Chris Collins us "my rep," lucky me.

[pnwmom]

12. Is it the fault of the Dems if the media isn't covering them?

Since you've given to Dems in the past, and they have your email, i'm sure they're contacting you . . . right?

They also have Facebook pages and web home pages that contain information about what they're doing.

[ismnotwasm]

17. What I learn on DU

On several threads a day, is that Democrats are gutless, spineless, corrupt, bought-out corporate oligarch tools. Sound familiar? Sure does.

Why would anyone with those opinions post on a Democratic board? Aren't there other places for those who despise Democrats to play?

[sheshe2]

19. Yup! Nailed it.

[pangaia]

20. Please do not accuse me of being one who despises Democrats. You said that, not me.

I am criticizing. Is that not allowed? Do I need to "watch what I say."

[ismnotwasm]

32. I'm not talking about criticism

And we need criticism and reflection as painful as it might be for any of us, as well as a good ground game--but take a look at the one-line, one-dimensional answers to these threads, it's not criticism, it's either whining or bashing.

If someone is saying 'I wrote and called my congressperson because these are the specific actions I want them to take"--I got their back all the way. Or "Senator so and so 'D'' voted on this and I disagree, here is why. Didn't we hear about Hillary's Iraq 'war' vote Ad Nasuem? I know people are capable.

Telling lawmakers to take to the streets or the Internet screaming--which the impression I'm getting from some--not you---is not productive when lawmakers actually have to meet.

We are not Donald Trump, and his techniques of politics works for him specifically, it's not going to work for everyone.

[sheshe2]

18. I appreciate your answer, thank you pangaia.

I don't think we always need to hear about it to know they are working on it. Why show your hand, then T and R's are not in office yet.

Thank you for all that you do.

I too have been in touch with my reps...I am lucky to have Democratic ones. I will be going to the Women's March on 01/21/17. It is a start.

Peace~

[pangaia]

21. Thank you. I don't do much.

Although a man, I would join one of the women's protests but I will probably be in...,St Petersburg, of all places.

[pnwmom]

24. There IS a Woman's March scheduled for St. Petersburg on Jan. 21.

So you CAN participate.

[pangaia]

27. St Petersburg, Russia. A I doubt it. :))))

[oldtime dfl_er]

9. Im from Washington

and Patty Murray has always run on a platform of "reaching across the aisle". I am going to make sure she doesn't try that this year.

[hibbing]

14. There will be a great consensus

On the tax cuts for the 1%.


Peace

[ismnotwasm]

15. That would be my senator

Who works her ass off. Jesus Christ there is a lot of politically naive or uninformed people.

[Tatiana]

16. Outstanding. Nice to see a real Democrat acting like one.

May her colleagues in Congress do likewise.

[Feeling the Bern]

22. Challenge accepted, Patty. What are you doing to bring the Democrats back to their

progressive roots, get the Democratic leadership to grow a spine and stand up to Assfaced Shitgibbon?

[msongs]

23. unfortunately, what she is doing is not included in this OP. hope she is resisting fascism with all

her tactics

[pnwmom]

25. The Senator has been progressive her whole life, and standing up to the Rethugs

ever since she joined the Senate.

And she is a key part of the Senate minority leadership.

Your ignorance is showing.

[ALBliberal]

26. Patty Murray headed up the Dem senate

Overall Election campaign strategy very successfully in 2012 I believe. Brilliant job. Never felt she got much notice for it but I think she's not one to toot her own horn and just like her FB post suggests I believe she will work tirelessly for all of us. We all need to work and support each other IMHO.

[MFM008]

28. i want to hear

your ready for the fight.

[philosslayer]

29. One of the most brilliant thinkers in the Senate

We're lucky to have her.

[pfitz59]

31. she's my Senator

Hopefully she'll live up to these words..