My conclusion, then I am going to bed

[Jersey Devil]

Democrats have about 6 months to get some substantial stuff done or at least prove that they will fight to get things done even if the Republicans make it impossible to fully succeed.

No more footsies with Olympia Snowe or tipping toeing through the cloak room with traitors like Joe Lieberman or running for cover every time some teabagger complains about them,

Fight for us or get the hell out of the way so that those who will fight can take your places in the future, for as the old bard once said:

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

I may be an old fart from the 60s but I still believe in that. Get it done! That's what we're paying you for. And if you don't at least try to get it done, don't count on me to be a sucker for you forever.

[closeupready]

1. They aren't going to do that. They've spent the last 30 years NOT fighting.

Don't expect that to change.

[Jersey Devil]

2. Then they will have to pay the price for it

I remember a scene from the Godfather where one of the wiseguys was saying that every once in a while it was necessary to have a war and that sometimes it wound up beneficial because new blood was brought into the organization, full of piss and vinegar and not too set in their ways.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

3. Ultimately, it's we, the people, who will pay the price. n/t

[Jersey Devil]

4. yes, thought of that as soon as I read my own post, but

sometimes I think you have to fight your way through bad things to get to the good. Maybe our team is too old and tired and washed up to fight for us and we need some young turks to take their places. Maybe that has been the problem for a long time.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

5. Maybe so, JD.

I think many of our era shook off the unfortunate cynicism that replaced all that idealism of the 60's and tried to believe, wanted to believe, in the change that was promised.

What a bitter pill to have to swallow to have that hope battered once again.