The public doesn't understand what the GOP is doing because most don't understand the system.

[Kablooie]

I seriously doubt that many people understand what's going on in Congress.

What is easy to understand is "The Democrats are a majority but they can't get anything passed."

What is not easy to understand is "The Democrats can't pass anything unless they get 60 votes in the Senate which means they must get some Republican votes to pass something."

Even when it is said, I'll bet it flies over most people's heads.

What needs to be said is something that your average doofus can understand.

I think it must be battered into people's heads over and over again that the REPUBLICANS are BLOCKING ALL LEGISLATION.

REPUBLICANS --- BLOCKING!

You can't get health insurance because REPUBLICANS ARE BLOCKING THE REFORM

Wall Street is not being regulated because THE REPUBLICANS ARE BLOCKING NEW REGULATION.

Your health costs are going up because REPUBLICANS ARE BLOCKING COST CONTROLS.

This and that because .... REPUBLICANS ARE BLOCKING!

If the public doesn't hear this over and over and over and over and over again the broken records they hear on AM radio and Fox news will drown everything else out.

We should hear Obama say it. We should hear newscasters say it. We should hear it all around us.

REPUBLICANS ARE BLOCKING -- YOU!!

[mrcheerful]

1. The real problem is there are nit wits out there who think that a check and balance

means you split your ticket between Dems and cons, that way they will be forced to work together. We see how well thats worked out haven't we.

[rgbecker]

3. You are right. I've heard that here in Mass. by Brown voters.

They are part of those that argue that it would be better if the Congress can't get anything done because everything they do is bad.

Meanwhile the country sinks into the sunset, heavily in debt with no industrial base and not even the pride to say "we don't torture" and mean it.

[left of center]

2. that is only part of the problem

Sure, the public should be reminded that Republicans are not an alternative, but there are a lot of do-nothing obstructionist Democrats who are more concerned about their own seats of power than doing the right thing. Progressive voters need to support challengers in the primaries to kick these bad Democrats out of office.

There is also the problem that Democrats too often try to achieve unreasonable consensus, trying to be everything to everybody. They do this when Republicans rammed through their agenda with much smaller margins of power in both chambers.

So the problems are two-fold, reminding voters of how bad Republicans would govern and showing voters that we expect our own to SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR THE GREATER GOOD!!!

[OHdem10]

4. At some point, we must start teaching the Public the Truth and

include in that how the system works. Our message must
get to all regions.

[left of center]

6. the public really does need a civics lesson

They don't realize that their apathy is part of the problem, that they must actually pay attention to what the hell is going on and vote accordingly. Too often the public gets turned off by business-as-usual politics and votes against what they fear!

For example, the public does not realize that 2/3 of the federal budget goes to Military, Social Security, and Medicare, yet they often support unfunded wars, expect their taxes cut, want their social security checks and medicare benefits, or even want single payer healthcare.

The thing is, I want universal (even single payer) health care, but I know that it's going to have to be cut out of the non-descretionary budget. I also want to balance the budget, which is why I don't want my taxes cut. The general public though, they are always sold on the idea that they can have their cake and eat it too, then get disappointed or upset when they don't get it!! They then don't vote at all, or actually vote against the reformer they see as taking their cake!!

[BadgerKid]

5. +1. The term "majority rules" is so ingrained in our culture.

The GOP would be glad to keep the status quo because this public ignorance works in their favor.

[fishbulb703]

7. This is our party's failure to make the case.

If our elected reps didn't cower like little children when the media gave them shit then we wouldn't be here.

Look at Rush, he LOVES bad press, because it shows he isn't a dickless coward. We need to grow a pair. As much as I hate it, repubs are much better at getting swing voters because they don't compromise, they stand firm. That's what anyone, American or not, wants. Its the group of our liberals in state and national houses that get canned with the weak, "compromiser" "negotiator" tag. Obama got elected because his speeches displayed strength. We need to be strong, not flimsy assholes.

[left of center]

8. very true, the public admires strength

Obama is popular in large part because he reflects strength. The congressional Dems could learn a thing or two from him!

[Kablooie]

9. The Democrats are scared to attack because they are afraid they'll lose Republican votes.

I guess ... ?