General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: "The Hard Left are no different than the Hard Right" [View all]Blanks
(4,835 posts)Because they're bombarded with a constant barrage of right-wing media controlled messaging ('there's no difference between the two parties' comes to mind as just one such message).
The democrats lost in 2010 because of tea party messaging. It had nothing to do with the democrats not doing their job (because they were forwarding the very agenda that you just mentioned).
Since we seem to agree that this 'extreme left' are the folks who don't understand the American political system (and believe that the executive party can create law by fiat), perhaps you're right - they aren't "going along to get along" I guess we'll know who to thank for the republican controlled congress that takes the vow in 2015 when that effort comes to fruition.
I'd rather we told people to vote democrat because they have an excellent record when they're in charge of congress. Rather than discourage them from voting because "both parties are the same."
The democratic candidates in my state point out their accomplishments (stand against privatizing SS, support hospitals etc.) even though Pryor is, at best, a DINO. so, I don't agree with you - they have PACs to smear their opponent, they talk themselves up. It would be political suicide to brag about a record of extremely liberal positions because he needs 50% of the vote.
Even if 75% of the country wants an extremely liberal policy enacted - that doesn't mean 75% of the people in each individual state want it. If a candidate comes down too hard on the side of an issue that's popular nationwide, but unpopular locally - they can lose their seat.
It's a balancing act. We can't expect much from the democrats as long as the republicans control the house.