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| Remember these as the faces of the party that sold us out. |
A number of pundits have weighed in on the Roll Over Strategy of the Democrats. There’s quite literally nothing I can add to that except to call each of the dinks who thought caving to the Republicans was a stellar idea. Save special bile for Chuck Schumer and let them all know just how badly they have truly screwed us.
I don’t have words. I share Ezra Klein’s “incandescent rage”, though.
To piggyback on his conversation with Jen Rubin, the demands of the Democrats were hugely popular with Dems and Independents, but also, a growing number of Republicans. The permanents extension of the ACA tax subsidies, the restoration of Medicaid funding, and no more “blank checks to the regime”: no rescissions, no impoundments, etc.
They dropped the Medicaid piece, and the “no blank checks” demands, but they maintained support for the ACA tax subsidies. Even here, you see the erosion of the Democrats: the demand went from “permanent extension” to “one year” extension, literally the Republican’s stance, and of course, even this was rejected out of hand by Thune.
So, what happened? How did the Dems go from what looked to be a genuine opposition party to the House of Amoebas? No “no rescissions/impoundments/blank checks for Trump”, no Medicaid funding, and the grand finish of no ACA tax extensions doesn’t strike me as “genuine opposition.”
None of this makes any sense. The Dems were winning. The week before last Sunday’s cratering was fabulous. And it’s not like the party was on its last legs. There has been an infusion of new voices, newly renewed vigor at the state and local levels where it needs to happen and it happened. What the serious fuck?
Look, public opinion supported the Dems’ demands, people turned out for the largest protest in American history and what happens? Implosion. Implosion and capitulation. What?
I know I normally jump right into taking action and I’ll get to that. But first, I’m still wrapping my mind around all of this, four, five days later. One point that Klein and others have made is that there is still a faction within the Democratic Party that treats the Republicans as “partners”, where they still believe that there is a space for bipartisanship, hands across the aisles and if we give them something, they’ll be nice to us. I’ve said it before; a significant amount, if not the majority of centrist Democrats are still playing politics with a pre-2015 playbook. Hell, they haven’t learned shit, really, since 2001.
As Klein also pointed out, it’s not just the eight senators who are the problem. This was a decision that was made with and supported by a larger number. The eight are just the ones who not so strangely, are either retiring or not on the 2026 ballot. Consequently, we know that there are a number of Dems (like Hickenlooper and Warner) were on Team Surrender, but they’re up for re-election and don’t want to get primaried. They have plausible deniability and can pretend they’re just as mad as the rest of us.
To be sure, there are serious issues with the party; but it’s not just a lack leadership or a spine. There is a systemic fracture in the party and one piece - characterized by the older guard with their centrist “go along to get along” nonsense - is tanking the more progressive arm - see AOC, Bernie, Jasmine Crockett, etc. - who really do want to fight and are fighting. But right now, the frustration is spilling over.
Democratic leadership needs to be held accountable and face consequences. That’s first and one place to start. However, a larger question and it doesn’t come from the Party, it comes from us: what kind of opposition party do we want and how do we get there?
One place to begin is to ask of every democrat running in primaries; “do you support Chuck Schumer?” The follow-up should be a simple statement that if you have a Democratic senator who claims he’s fighting the regime and still supports Schumer, then yeah, that senator is part of the problem.
The point is to let these candidates know that if you’re not going to fight for and with us, we’re not supporting you.
As Klein pointed out, this isn’t ideological; there are Republicans who support the demands the Democrats made, who don’t want any more of this regime. There are so-called moderates who support them. Because those demands aren’t ideological, they’re necessities. The Democrats sold out. To closing rural hospitals, to seeing to it that healthcare becomes even more unaffordable, to ensuring that the Regime’s wildly irresponsible and dangerous spending and grift continue until this country is broken beyond recognition.
What to do?
Encourage your democratic reps in the House to hold the line.
For the Senate, push for new leadership.
The Klein/Rubin discussion is here:
https://contrarian.substack.com/p/incandescent-rage-ezra-levin-on-the
STUFF2DO:
What to do/where to begin:
https://www.indivisible2026.org
Also, give these people a piece of your mind:
In terms of what else we can do, hit ‘em in the wallets. Bring the economy to a standstill by not buying shit. Most of you know where this is going, I’m sure:
“for one week:
- Don’t shop with major corporations.
- Don’t pour money into systems that exploit.
- Support local, small, and community-based businesses instead.
- Rest. Reflect. Refuse to be used”
Read more: https://centeredamerica.substack.com/p/the-mass-blackout-november-25-december.
These are trying, challenging, dark times. I believe we can still stem and turn the tide and we do it by showing up and working in whatever capacity we can.
It’s been said plenty of times since January: no one’s coming to save us. It’s us, just us. But we are legion and unified, we win.
Protests/rallies
In Houston, every Tuesday:
Protest in Front of John Cornyn’s Office
5300 Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77007
Join other Houstonians in protesting outside John Cornyn’s Houston office (on Memorial Drive) to raise awareness of your objection to recent government actions.
Signs available or make your own.
Do not park in 5300 Memorial garage
The Cornyn Houston Office Protest has been on Houston streets each Tuesday for over 8 years. Fully independent, the Cornyn Protest has been sustained by a dedicated core of Houstonians. The protest sets the example of people showing up for themselves no matter what.
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/828684/
Every Friday: Hands Off Everything!
Organized by Katy Huddle group:
Hands off Everything!
Rally · Hosted by Indivisible Katy Huddle
Fridays
12 – 1pm CST
13302 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77077
Petitions/letter writing
Pissed about the Great Surrender? In addition to calling and voicing your anger, here’s more fun stuff:
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-democrats-dump-chuck/
There’s always more to do. Lately, I’ve been focusing on one or two larger issues, and admittedly, have let smaller events fall by the wayside.
That said, as always, check with mobilize.us or https://www.fiftyfifty.one or https://indivisible.org and find something that inspires you and gives you something to engage with.
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