Dems rolled over on class action lawsuits, then bankrtupcy, now ANWR!

[flpoljunkie]

What will the Democrats will be willing to stand up for? I am seriously beginning to wonder if protecting Social Security is it.

If they roll over today and Dubya wins the ANWR vote, I am done sending money to the DSCC, the DCCC and the DNC.

Only individual Senators who are willing to stand up and vote for what the Democratic party stands for will get my support.

I sincerely hope Harry Reid can pull this one out, but I am increasingly doubtful at this point.

[Lone Pawn]

1. "Roll over?"

They're actually trying to put up a fight. You see, when you're the minority--that is, when the other guys have more votes than you do--it's expected that you'll lose most battles. I find it surprising that you would stop your support of the DNC because the Republicans are winning at the moment.

[flpoljunkie]

4. There are 44 Democrats--enough to have stopped both class action

lawsuits and the egregious bill. They did not.

With the ANWR vote, the Republicans have sneaked into the budget resolution bill, only 51 votes are required. If the Democratic leadership cannot win this one with the help of moderate Republicans, they are weak, indeed.

The environment is important to the base and to a vast majority of the American people. The Democrats need to understand this and vote accordingly.

[Lone Pawn]

5. Surprisingly enough, Democrats do not vote party line.

And yes, the Democrats are weak. That's because they're a minority that controls nothing. They lack the House, Senate, White House, any cabinet post, the Supreme Court...they lack everything. What could they give any rising-star GOP moderate?

The Democrats undoubtedly will 'vote accordingly.' But of course, perhaps two senators will either vote for or abstain. And for that, you will of course say the entire party is weak, and therefore somehow undeserving of support.

If you want to support only a party that can do whatever it wants to, and never has to pick its battles, perhaps you should be sending money to the Republicans instead.

[flpoljunkie]

8. The Democrats could have stopped class action lawsuits, bankruptcy bill

and they could stop ANWR drilling. They chose not to. This speaks volumes to me that they do not use the power they have.

This is unacceptable.

[Lone Pawn]

11. "Chose not to?" You're nuts!

The Democrats by and large voted against all such things. You can't damn the entire party on a few Senators who believe these bills are the right thing to do.

Moreover, I don't think you understand that we have to pick our battles, or else we'll be further marginalized as obstructionists. If we just keep checking the Republicans without ever actually doing anything of value, we look like the party of reactionary obstructionists. Not very inspiring.

[donna_brasco]

2. This is why I sought out Democratic activism

and that's why I registered here.

I do not understand why our Democratic leaders are "rolling over" for everything important.

[bowens43]

6. They have been brainwashed by the DLC into

believing that the only way they can win an election is by becoming a republican.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. I say let them roll over on everything

Everyday on this board we are lectured on how principled Dems can't get elected in certain areas of the country. Hell, to a certain degree I even buy it. Let those sections of the country continue to vote for Dems whose only principle is not being Republican.

Say goodbye to your 8 hour work day, 40 hour work week, clean air, clean water, nature reserves, usury laws, ability to recover for damages,...say goodbye to it all.

don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got till it's gone - they paved paradise, put up a parking lot

When quality of life actually matters more than guns, god and gays...the revolution won't be far behind......but LOST is on tonight!

[Lone Pawn]

7. Or instead, we put in 6 Democrats who only vote blue on party-line issues,

Jeffords caucuses with us, and suddenly the DNC sets the Senate's agenda.

The alternative is we have, say, 39 principled, devoted Senators who are very good at protesting and casting worthless protest votes, while they lack even the Senate strength to perform a filibuster.

[flpoljunkie]

9. The Democrats are not using the power they do have. Do not apologize for

their fecklessness.

[Lone Pawn]

10. What power do they have?

The power to filibuster? That grows old fast, and we won't even have that if they follow the "kick out the moderates" strategy idiots here keep spouting.

Are you angry we're not lockstep? Sorry--that's what seperates us from the Republicans. Each of our Senators votes their conscience. ANWR? I don't think being one vote short means "Democrats aren't fighting."

[flpoljunkie]

12. They have not use the filibuster yet! What are they saving it for--SS?

Democrats will have the support of several moderate Republicans on this vote so there is no excuse for the leadership not rounding up enough votes to block drilling in ANWR.