General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAlternatively, Democrats could give midterm voters something to believe in
Yes, the environment in Congress is "toxic." But that's a vague and meaningless term. It's certainly acrimonious on Capitol Hill. But the problem isn't that voters are frustrated that nothing gets done in Washington. Voters are frustrated that nothing good is possible in Washington. Those are two very different things.
Right now the conversation on healthcare is between one side that wants slightly less expensive corporate healthcare, and one side that wants much more expensive corporate healthcare. It's between one side that wants to cut Social Security and Medicare just a little bit, and another that wants to cut it a lot. It's between one side that wants to implement some very gradual climate change policies that won't stop us from crossing runaway greenhouse barriers, and another side that doesn't believe in climate change at all. It's between one side that wants a very slow, painful set of immigration reforms, and another side that wants no reforms at all. It's between one side that wants to raise the minimum wage to something that still doesn't meet what it was back in the 1970s, and another side that wants to eliminate it.
For a young voter or voter of color, voting for Democrats isn't a matter of hope for a better future. It's basically a defensive crouch to prevent the insane sociopaths from taking over. To provide real hope, Democrats would have to start pushing for a $15 minimum wage, for basic universal income, for single-payer healthcare, for a green jobs Apollo Program, for student loan forgiveness, and similar policies.
As it is, there's no real reason for an infrequent Democratic voter to come to the polls. Sure, it's important to stop the likes of Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney from sitting in the White House, and appointing decent judges to the Supreme Court is nice.
But there's no way Democrats are going to solve their midterm problem without providing a real, positive vision for the country. If even hardcore activists like me see voting as a defensive rather than an offensive weapon, it's no surprise that many more apolitical people can scarcely be bothered to care.
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/alternatively-democrats-could-give.html
ProSense
(116,464 posts)...something to believe in, and apparently some people are already on the case.
ACA Tide Turns: Protesters Arrested In GA, GOPer Schools Scottie
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024695722
Paul Ryan Gets An Earful From Constituent Who Will Save Hundreds Under Obamacare
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/03/20/3416783/paul-ryan-constituent-obamacare/
Dear Democrats,
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024699369
How to strengthen Obamacare, courtesy of the Progessive Caucus.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024702695
phantom power
(25,966 posts)but still, as the OP says, it's basically "saner corporate health insurance" instead of "insane, utterly un-checked cost-spiraling corporate health insurance"
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"The ACA was a win"
...misses the point. The law is still in the early stages of enactment. Republicans are blocking Medicaid expansion. The law needs to be strengthened.
Single payer is a goal, and that means health care is a huge issue.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)To get Democratic voters to the polls, the Party needs to inspire them.
"We suck less" is not an inspiring message.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Coupla blue links should be enough, eh?
jsr
(7,712 posts)Gotta be professional.
polichick
(37,152 posts)for a better future. It's basically a defensive crouch to prevent the insane sociopaths from taking over."
For MOST of us, no matter what age or color, it's a "defensive crouch" and has been for a long time.
stillwaiting
(3,795 posts)Don't you wish Democrats knew how to play offense as well as the Republicans?!?!
If only someone would tell them how to do it!!!
polichick
(37,152 posts)stillwaiting
(3,795 posts)1000words
(7,051 posts)Still waiting ...
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)TheKentuckian
(25,029 posts)and folk's who vote for them, win, lose, or draw.
What they don't get is that the tactic is bullying and bound to draw ugly responses that will be unproductive for all so I suggest a more inclusive approach to the birds thought to be in the hand rather than squeezing them until the only live birds are in the bush. Though I may be dangerously under rating the possibility that such is actually an intentional goal.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)brooklynite
(94,742 posts)We're not competing for open seats in Blue districts; we're competing for seats where, in a year that President Obama won and we had great turnout nationally, VOTERS ELECTED A REPUBLICAN. They're probably not Tea-Party types, but they're probably approachable moderates. Making a special appeal to Democrats didn't work last time; why would it work now?
treestar
(82,383 posts)They don't have to be given that and they have it. Voting is the way you contribute. Otherwise you will governed by the people who do vote. As for gridlock in DC then sitting home and allowing a Republican Congress is that voter's own fault. Participate and your voice can be part of it. Sit hope and wait to be inspired and you just let those who do be the ones who govern you.