PUTNEY-The Democrats' recent capitulation on the debt ceiling is a pretty good illustration of why the party lost the last election.
Republicans needed Democratic help to pass another continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels. Did the Democrats use the leverage to get any concessions? Perhaps get some illegally fired veterans or federal workers rehired? Maybe lessen the budget cuts that are coming to Medicaid? Maybe restore some funds to aid organizations that are going to be unable to do their work assisting real people in need?
Nope. Nada. Zip. Zilch. They just rolled over.
Why? Out of fear that they might be blamed for the hurt a shutdown would cause.
Republicans are in control of the presidency and both houses of Congress. What happens is clearly on them. Those of us who strongly object to their agenda need representatives who will fight for us.
In any fight, people get hurt. But not fighting means accepting defeat.
I abhor the far-right objectives but will acknowledge that Republican lawmakers are bold and relentless in working for them. If Democrats had been so bold when they controlled the Congress and presidency, perhaps we'd have a health-care system that works for everyone.
For years, the right has been steering the conversation by sensationalist propaganda, distraction, bald-faced lies, and culture wars, all aimed at playing on the fears and anger of people with economic and job insecurity.
Despite some Biden-era progress in areas that will positively affect the lives of us working-class folks, that has been slow in coming and not very well publicized. And now much of that will be undone by billionaires anxious to line their own pockets.
When working people are divided by race, gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity, this is where we end up. Democrats, whether progressive or centrist, need to get out there and listen to the needs of all the people, much the way U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders does in red state town halls, and find solutions.
Joseph A. Valaske
Putney
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