I don't know about anybody else, but my frustration stems from the fact the Dems have a majority, and it's as if it hasn't made any difference. Nothing has changed; it's still about the appeasement and approval of the Republicans who, to be honest, take nearly every opportunity to puncture any momentum that any reformative movement gains.
The waffling of the Democratic representatives already feels like a compromise (to me), maybe because Obama's election seemed like such a massive victory.
I pretty much went from "Yay! This is so awes--OMG! WTF is wrong with you people? You have an effing majority!"
I do agree with you, however, that apathy is not the answer. But we shouldn't have to resign ourselves to a life of compromise, either, because a minority of people want it that way.
Long term, the appearance of appeasement towards the Republicans goes a long way towards making sure that the Democrats *keep* their majority. Moderate voters feel that bipartisanship is very important, for some reason, and keeping the Moderates on our side will make all the difference in future votes.
I don't want this majority to go the same way it did when Clinton first took office.
Honestly, I don't entirely agree with your assessment. This isn't about bowing to Republican pressure - it's about bowing to Blue Dogs. From a Democratic point of view, the Blue Dogs pretty much have to get a little special treatment in order to make them re-electable, because otherwise their districts would go Republican.
(Some people would say, "What's the difference?" and I guess that answer depends on who, in particular, we're talking about. Gillibrand, for instance, is a Blue Dog, but one of the most fierce and vocal supporters for gay rights at the moment. The cards can fall in funny ways.)
You definitely have a point. I would imagine that a lot of the appeasement has to do with the Blue Dogs--without them, there is no majority. Perhaps I'm too much of an idealist; I keep forgetting that these people want to get re-elected, that this is a career for some.
That's why I, unfortunately, have come to accept claims that far more Americans fall under the conservative side than the liberal side (regardless of best interest, what they actually believe when framing is stripped away, etc.)
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The waffling of the Democratic representatives already feels like a compromise (to me), maybe because Obama's election seemed like such a massive victory.
I pretty much went from "Yay! This is so awes--OMG! WTF is wrong with you people? You have an effing majority!"
I do agree with you, however, that apathy is not the answer. But we shouldn't have to resign ourselves to a life of compromise, either, because a minority of people want it that way.
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I don't want this majority to go the same way it did when Clinton first took office.
Do you?
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I'm just having a very difficult time wrapping my head around the outrage health care reform is generating. Because seriously.
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(Some people would say, "What's the difference?" and I guess that answer depends on who, in particular, we're talking about. Gillibrand, for instance, is a Blue Dog, but one of the most fierce and vocal supporters for gay rights at the moment. The cards can fall in funny ways.)
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even if your icon scare me D:
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And that's why the party can get away with delivering 5% of what they promise.
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