I also have to say, this is not dunking on the Democrats. They are not our friends. Criticism is not unreasonable. Look at the news! How does this have to be said?
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😂 And this is why you will continue to lose.
Republicans win bc they SUPPORT, DEFEND, and STAND UP for their people NO MATTER WHAT.
But folks like you blame, criticize and denigrate the only people who are trying to be our “friends”.
Unbelievable 🙄
Republicans viciously and publicly tear down politicians who don't hold their party line, which is why they have a strong party line and consistently vote as a block, which is why they have a loyal base.
You don’t understand that this isn’t a tea party time where we can all sit around and discuss our delicate feels. You render yourself useless under those circumstances.
Trump literally ran on absolutely nothing and still won. If you think voters can't be completely wrong, then you really should study this country's history.
Are Americans now so utterly devoid of civics education that they fail to realize that elected officials work for all their constituents, and essentially our employees?
Like let's be clear that the stack is both stacked AND voters specifically chose to put Dems out of power which does limit what they can do. Split ticket voters did that in 22 and 24 which is a repeat of 10, 12, 14 and 16.
If Dems don't fix it in 2 years they're out every time it's dumb.
Might be time for you to join a senior center and just chill. We’ll take it from here. Your time is the past. It doesn’t work like that anymore and your inability to grasp the current state of affairs.. smh. Time to retire and play bingo.
McConnell blocked Tom Daschel's appointment to HHS despite Democrats having a 60 seat majority in the Senate. Tubberville held up 100's of military promotions from the minority last year, and he's functionally illiterate.
What if it's not love of politicians but love of facts? Because reality says the most powerful people in the world are the current standing president and shadow president who have the majority in all 3 branches and have purged most of government from anyone disloyal.
They don’t have the power to pass legislation but they do have power. The constitution & parliamentary procedure are pretty generous to the minority and give them tactics to slow things down. Republicans do this every time they’re in the minority but Democrats don’t out of a misplaced sense of duty
No, they have not done that. They have not used a fraction of the power they have in the Senate to grind business to a halt. They have allowed the cabinet nominees to proceed through briskly.
Enough. Y'all live in a world where you're more angry at Dems for what you think they're not doing than you are at Republicans for what they are doing. Power was handed to them, no block is forever, & citizens have to stop this crap & focus on fighting the GOP.
They could also appoint a shadow cabinet with the purpose of having accurate messaging to respond to each of the outstanding crises instead of being caught on the back foot. They knew this was going to happen back in November.
Yeah a whole shadow government. That's brilliant. Meanwhile, do you know what they're saying about the crisis? You think they're caught on the back foot? They're not the ones who felt this wasn't going to be that bad.
They could also have their older members announce their retirement and set the stage for younger, more effective members to take over. Folks like Schumer, Pelosi, Durbin should be done. A handful of elders is fine but it can’t be your whole party.
They really haven’t though. Look at the legislative record and they advance stuff out of committee quickly, give unanimous consent decrees, and voted for most of Trump’s appointees overwhelmingly. They also don’t play games with quorum or threaten to filibuster appointments. They held the floor once
But that's NOT "the dems." That's just citizens, many of whom aren't "dems." We're leftists, progressives, & radicals. I vote democratic (lesser of 2 evils) but don't call me a "dem" -- I am not.
Democratic politicians are absolutely failing to meet this moment. THAT is what the criticism is about.
I’m with you. The GOP are just as scared of getting voted out as they are of trump. We’ve gotta be slamming republican offices with calls. Protesting their local offices. Tell media the tough questions you want asked. Hold the GOP accountable!
And remember to use *67 to block outgoing caller ID!
It is not "blaming Democrats for the actions of Republicans" when you say, "the actions of Republicans are existentially bad and we need someone to fight these actions tooth and nail, and the guys best positioned to do that aren't doing it."
Nah, people like you refusing to ever expect anything from Democrats is literally how we got to this situation. "How dare you think a shit sandwich isn't good enough! You should just be grateful that your shit sandwich doesn't have shards of glass in it!"
Yeah man, It’s Roxanne Gay’s fault that we live in an oligarchy because she said “Why aren’t congresspeople doing congress stuff” instead of “Why are congresspeople being fascists and also collaborationists”
For some reason, this talking point that was completely manufactured as pretext for a fascist coup isn’t hitting the marketing demo we wanted…. Strange.
Miss Roxane - and I mean this respectfully - we can’t very well have a healthy two party system if everything that happens is always deemed the fault of Democrats. You are part of the problem.
They don’t want a two party system. The Republican vote was about 30%. THAT is the problem. We have the 3rd parties and 5678 parties that make up the other 21%. I don’t want to elect leaders where only 20-30% of the voters want. What does that accomplish OP🤦♀️
If we had 3 or 4 million people with more homogenized backgrounds it might be easier to be outside of the two party system. It works fine for Republicans.
America can have a healthy democracy with only 2 major parties, but one req is journalists/media who hold both parties equally accountable, which is not what we have today. Major scandals that would end a Dem presidency under unified GOP govt and @roxanegay.bsky.social fixated on what Dems are doing
Well, do journalists refer to themselves at the “4th estate” or not? Only works if news media collectively apply the same scrutiny and accountability equally to both parties, otherwise they become propaganda.
'Not our friends' and 'awful and terrible' are two different things. There are people who shit on Dems unnecessarily, but this thread is completely reasonable.
She's just demanding that they do their jobs, while retaining skepticism about their motives. That's simple pragmatism.
Yet, not since #SpeakerGingrich in the 1990s began speaking Each Weekday Evening to the Empty House Chambers plus the Not Broadcasting CableTVStation, #CSpanChannel, hoping hisHate Speech & Lies Delivered to Rile Up Mainstream America would LEACH Dem Voters from the Party, bc few people Ever STOP &
How were the Republicans able to keep Democrats from doing what they claim to want when Dems had the majority but when the shoe is on the other foot the Democrats are helpless little children?
Again for the millionth time, 📢 SINEMA AND MANCHIN always voted with Republicans even though they ran as Democrats and were expected to finally tip the majority votes for Dem bills. Not surprising for West Virginia.
What a bad faith response to being called out for having a huge platform to promulgate Murc's Law. Like the two options are only "loving politicians", or blaming the Dems for not immediately fixing everything awful the Repubs do.
I'm not being bad faith. I'm not imagining things. I hold the Republicans fully responsible for the terrible things they are doing. It is not unreasonable to want our leaders to have a coherent response to something they knew was coming given that it was a 900+ page plan that was shared publicly
The corruption of the United States Government started decades ago.
We all who pay attention have been watching the Patriot Act, Citizens United, the big bank bailout in 2008-2009 and the PPP loan forgiveness give money to people with money.
Trump just is a better liar and manipulator. He has been breaking laws and hiding behind money and lawyers his entire career. He threw them under the bus every chance he got and bilionaires still back him.
Why? They see the end of civilization they created.
hells yeah, if this little nobody saw it coming in November and started making plans, why didn’t the folks who hold political roles also spend that time making plans for action?
Biden did make a plan which is why he pushed through so many judges in his last few months. If we don’t have the executive, legislative and part of the judicial branch (Supreme Court) he was trying to protect the laws at the federal level with the judges.
Thanks for clarifying. I was reacting specifically to your equating criticism of your post with wanting zero criticism of Dems. A sentiment that's all over bsky lately. What exactly do you want them to do? And why imply that Dems are "just gonna ride this additional crisis to the end of the line"?
Many folks with thorough knowledge of how Congress works have made specific asks of Democrats in Congress. You could start by following @indivisible.org.
What can Ds do? Actually fight the coup, don't just talk about fighting. Shut down the Senate. Shut out of a building taken over by Musk? Don't walk away. Get arrested. Act like it's an existential crisis. Be a story that the media can't ignore. Give time for lawsuits to work. Stop whining and LEAD.
My whole thing since the certification has been, maga confederates were willing to commit sedition for a lie, but I couldn’t get my Rep to *maybe* be held in contempt by _objecting_ to a disqualified traitor.
You're right about the mischaracterization ("immediately fix..."). But the main sentiment can still be fairly described as Murc's Law. And then she went further, suggesting that any and all vague criticism ("do something") is helpful, and that if you disagree it's because you "love politicians".
I mean, you do see why it's hard to find you the sympathetic party here when your rhetorically calling something bad faith while making a bad faith argument?
I agree. Also, engage w your Reps!! I joined a town hall w my Rep & the state AG. I feel better about what they're doing. Signing up, I was asked for questions & feedback. I have to wonder how many people's (not directed at you) engagement ends with posting "do something".
You are loved. We are building something now and no one like mark warner is part of it other than for his near-term votes for impeachment and the like. I’m Irish — Irish ppl never ever forget. 🍀
It’s that part of human nature where people need to believe there is a benevolent being with more knowledge and power than they have that will magically take care of things so that they themselves do not have to be arsed.
thank you roxane- more people need to be told to stop uncritically believing their elected officials are Good rather than political figures who often need to be pressured into Doing The Right Thing
"Could have stopped" -- are you saying that if they fail to stop it, then there's no value in obstructing it? Slowing it down? Shining a light on what they're doing?
We know they can't fix everything. They can't win every battle. But we also know they can't win ANY battle they run away from.
They’re doing everything via executive orders and Dems are the ones suing to get injunctions to stop things where they are. Just because you don’t pay attention and don’t know how things work doesn’t mean things just happen on their own
But it turns out, and Roxane knows this even if you don’t, the House minority leader has zero power and they can’t even hold up legislation because repubs aren’t doing it legislatively. You should listen to people who know more than you more often, and not people who just want your repost
People in power? The Dems are in the minority party. They have very little power. Thanks third party voters!
I tell you what. Far left ppl need critical friends. I'll be that for you all. Your racism, misogyny, and bigotry prevented you from voting to save the country from fascism.
No one has ever accused me of being far left- this is new. I encourage you to look at my post history to see who I'm spending 99% of my time criticising.
But if you think Dems are powerless right now, then you don't understand how politics- or power- works.
The GOP managed to RADICALLY transform the judiciary while in the minority. The Tea Party radically changed the face of politics whilst being a tiny minority.
AOC is one of the most effective pols around- she's not lying down and wimpering that she has no power.
If I need to be called out on something, my friend is *helping* me by doing that (at least that’s the way I look at it).
If I were doing something that was ineffective, I would want someone to let me know.
OWN YOUR SHIT!! Progressives are the absolute WORSE. You don’t understand government. You constantly complain about everything all the time wanting others to solve things. How about this—instead of pissing on Dems, maybe join us to defeat the problems or STFU
And as much as we don't like to admit it, Republican congress members managed to screw a lot up while in the minority. Democratic members need to review the game tape and determine a strategy. They're looking like the Chiefs' offensive line out there.
I don't disagree with you. People that believe they can do what they want without consequence play the game differently. But the OP was calling for accountability of the democratic party's seeming lack of enthusiasm, with a few exceptions. Giving up is the only way to ensure they go unchecked.
I'll admit, i dont have the strategy, but I'm not a congressman. Some of congress have been in office for decades. Pelosi did it, McConnal did it. We are in a new era. We need new tactics and they're the only ones in positions to be a direct opposition.
And to be clear, Pelosi and McConnal had their problems too. Im just referring to their ability to pull the levers of power. On both sides of the majority/minority divide.
McConnell broke the Senate by implementing parliamentary discipline because Republicans were so outraged at the idea of a Black president and we haven't recovered.
There's a reason I didnt vote for the republican side. I agree that they are only a destructive force. But we need to see an actual strategic response.
Again, not a politician and I can't provide an answer. I'm just not willing to accept that the people who have been doin it for decades can't find an answer.
they're not your friends, they're the people who work for you because that is the role of a politician in a democracy. you don't have to be nice to them is the point op is making
They're your allies. Generally, you try to work constructively with your allies, rather than shouting at them to do better from the safety of your couch.
Stop lying. He very clearly outlined that Democrats were fighting in court and in Congress, and they needed the people to fight by marching in the streets, calling GOP congress members, etc. Spreading this dumb-ass narrative based on his tweet is ridiculous and unhelpful.
I vote blue. I am a progressive. Unfortunately no party that has gotten any traction comes as close to progressive as Dem. But as my dad, a former conservative says, dem isn’t progressive enough!
Being 60 and having voted straight DFL tickets for 42 years, it has come as a surprise that I can no longer commit to that. I don’t know what comes next, but it sure as shit isn’t a DFL/Democratic Party constituted as it is now.
Find out what other countries have done to withstand this existential threat. Don’t leave it to politicians. It’s amazing as a Canadian seeing USA citizens rise up today
They are our REPRESENTATIVES, and if majority seats are not available to them at this time, there is PLENTY they can and should be doing now to lead. Excuse me while I go off to yell at my Dem. Senator to do just that...
Seriously, right? We elect these folks on the fact that they say they know what they’re doing, on the presumption that they know how to solve problems and know more than us, so there’s no excuse for them. Theres so much they can do, but do they really want to is the question.
Exactly. We can appreciate when Dems do good things, but they also -work for US-. They are OUR employees and the -demands of the job- just got cranked way up, so they need to step up or step out of the way.
We can't let RepubliKlan-style party/person loyalty stop us from justified criticism.
They are doing everything they can do, with the exception of 8 reps in swing states, who are selling out to try to support constituents or because they were always really GOP. Like ole Shrek, who I believe a bunch of the far left just looooveed. That racist asshole.
It's fucking wild how state dems keep fighting this shit tooth and nail but because it's mostly on the West Coast no one actually gives a shit. Maybe look around.
Comments
Republicans win bc they SUPPORT, DEFEND, and STAND UP for their people NO MATTER WHAT.
But folks like you blame, criticize and denigrate the only people who are trying to be our “friends”.
Unbelievable 🙄
I've never gotten more fire from the bsky commentariat than when I suggested that Kamala and Joe were partly responsible for their loss in November.
A lot of them got an F.
I can't tell if you're having a stroke or if I am.
We are in this mess because millions of LW voters who came out in 2020 decided to sit on their asses in 2024.
Now people are screeching "do something!!" and want the minority party to wave a magic wand and fix the mess they ushered in. Ridiculous.
Millions of people who voted for Biden in 2020 sat home in in 2024. I have no idea how many identified as leftist.
The complaints are actively unreasonable cause people find it easier to criticize Dems than actually attack Republicans, it sucks.
If Dems don't fix it in 2 years they're out every time it's dumb.
I'd say start doing what they did.
Military promotions (Tubbervill) do not have the same procedures as appointments, so that trick won't work.
And if Tubs can figure out procedural obstruction on the military, surely Chuck Schumer can figure it out for anything else, even if it's just delays.
Seriously, stop caping for learned helplessness. It guarentees failure.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/senate-democrats-block-kash-patel-194401990.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAId8nMN2iOPEKIqkAUnk2U3Ukh2gjnXxQ4z-iitD-1QUTMxp3o1yNzPfrcaNrCZPzoXBPPcpJiUP3fN4-q757EQnggKqYP9IQD8z4zPKUx-aR8FoG-HRPaheaf6yMNqEud1HXOsf3IIHFdIJGb80VFUNXNa2yCMuMUMoJEf0G2e-
https://ballotpedia.org/How_senators_voted_on_Trump_Cabinet_nominees,_2025
There are protests at 50 state capitals today. There is no sign of them anywhere on NYT's pages.
https://bsky.app/profile/rainsurname.bsky.social/post/3lifwpajey227
Democratic politicians are absolutely failing to meet this moment. THAT is what the criticism is about.
The people who think the long weekends are vacations are the worst ones. THAT IS OBSTRUCTION.
It delays votes while they hold packed town halls & give us a chance to protest at R homes.
Yet so far, I have not seen anyone on here talking about doing that except me & people I talked to.
10,000 marching vs one person yelling at them while they're trying to eat dinner, the one person yelling seems to get to them more
And remember to use *67 to block outgoing caller ID!
If the two party system does not have tools innate to their function, which keeps each party in check, that's a failed system
She's just demanding that they do their jobs, while retaining skepticism about their motives. That's simple pragmatism.
The corruption of the United States Government started decades ago.
We all who pay attention have been watching the Patriot Act, Citizens United, the big bank bailout in 2008-2009 and the PPP loan forgiveness give money to people with money.
Why? They see the end of civilization they created.
Very good faith. The most good faithest thing I've ever read, maybe.
Shills are so hard to distinguish from denialist and defeatists anymore, this one is living proof.
So like, I expect them to at least stay in building they are legally allowed to enter.
Or remove a corrupted mayor that is now a puppet!
My whole thing since the certification has been, maga confederates were willing to commit sedition for a lie, but I couldn’t get my Rep to *maybe* be held in contempt by _objecting_ to a disqualified traitor.
Weak.
Sauce.
We know they can't fix everything. They can't win every battle. But we also know they can't win ANY battle they run away from.
I tell you what. Far left ppl need critical friends. I'll be that for you all. Your racism, misogyny, and bigotry prevented you from voting to save the country from fascism.
You also never criticize GOP because of misogyny, racism, and bigotry. White daddy can't be to blame!
So we're here now and refusal to accept responsibility for your own fuck ups is just you being you.
Probably not though. Get back to me when you feel like accepting responsibility yourselves for your part in this mess.
But if you think Dems are powerless right now, then you don't understand how politics- or power- works.
AOC is one of the most effective pols around- she's not lying down and wimpering that she has no power.
Your tough love doesn't offend me
If I were doing something that was ineffective, I would want someone to let me know.
We want government to be good, actually. That requires spending and votes.
They want government to be bad, actually. That means ignoring corruption by sitting on their hands in Congress.
How does the minority stop that?
Get your friends in red districts to call their representatives.
Do you understand how democracy works? Because if they're not your friends, what are they? What is your path to 51%?
Republicans?
https://bsky.app/profile/kenklippenstein.bsky.social/post/3liif544lrs2i
I see someone completely skipping my point.
And getting likes for employing Murc's Law.
https://bsky.app/profile/heartlesscreatures.bsky.social/post/3lgxqjxa2ec2h
We can't let RepubliKlan-style party/person loyalty stop us from justified criticism.