When you press Democrats on their uninspiring deeds — their lousy free trade deals, for example, or their flaccid response to Wall Street misbehavior — when you press them on any of these things, they automatically reply that this is the best anyone could have done. After all, they had to deal with those awful Republicans, and those awful Republicans wouldn’t let the really good stuff get through. They filibustered in the Senate. They gerrymandered the congressional districts. And besides, change takes a long time. Surely you don’t think the tepid-to-lukewarm things Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have done in Washington really represent the fiery Democratic soul.

So let’s go to a place that does. Let’s choose a locale where Democratic rule is virtually unopposed, a place where Republican obstruction and sabotage can’t taint the experiment.

[–] Blakey@hexbear.net 29 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It really is the proof that they're controlled opposition. "We had to deal with those dastardly Republicans!" Well, not really. The things you claim to want are overwhelmingly popular. If you actually worked towards them, the Republicans would be finished in pretty short order. Not overnight, sure, but you would have an overwhelming electoral advantage. Democrats don't compromise with Republicans because they need to in order to get what they want, they compromise with Republicans because they need to in order to be democrats.

[–] DragonBallZinn@hexbear.net 4 points 3 weeks ago

Thomas Frank is a LIB , but he has more than earned my respect. That book and “What’s the Matter with Kansas” should be must-reads for anyone to the left of the GOP.