Where the fuck are the Democrats?

[boston bean]

Praying? Hoping? Accepting? Protecting their seat? Not giving a shit?

I am angry with the party. And I believe their acquiescence and silence will damage this country as much as anything else.

Where the fuck are they?

[Tickle]

1. So much for resist NT

[Bluethroughu]

103. EVERYONE STOP FIGHTING EACHOTHER!

This is our game now get in it!

General Strike Feb 14th do nothing, buy nothing, pay nothing!

Nobody gets a F-#$%ing dime! Until money is restored, and orange anus/vance resign, and the Republicans resign for being party to the coup...6 SCOTUS get out! Go to Russia.

[Magoo48]

146. This is a great way to begin a general strike, but they must be open ended as well.

They will be imperfect, but with peer encouragement and support, they can provide they can be a growing assault on their bottom line.

[Bluethroughu]

148. Of course...I just would like us all to support eachother and value

The feelings of everyone. This is f-#$ing frightening and people will die because these Republicans and der leader are careless anti-American...time to start the offensive and get them running in circles.

Open to everything.

[Magoo48]

152. Yes, I agree. I think we see this in much the same way. If it's a peaceful action, I more than likely support it.

[Bluethroughu]

158. Me too.

If we stay home, they can not blame us for rightwing purposeful chaos to blame on antifa or BLM.

[bluevoter4life]

149. Im sure my credit card company will be completely understanding

When I fail to pay my balance because of civil disobedience.

[Festivito]

164. We can be more positive. I want to see Pete on TV.

Not: Where is Pete? Instead: He's contacting hosts!
You want Shumer, SAY SO.

[Mad_Machine76]

2. I feel very alone right now.

And I’m wondering where the Dems are.

[boston bean]

4. There is absolutely no leadership.

[Mad_Machine76]

8. I was hoping

the Dems were spending time over the holidays gearing up for resistance but I’m really doubtful of that rn

[Celerity]

34. The tenor & tone was set early, when ex Speaker (but still power core) Pelosi put paid to AOC's bid for Ranking Member

of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and instead threw all her weight and massive influence behind the esophageal cancer-diagnosed (and he has refused to state what stage it is) septuagenarian Gerry Connolly (who, when asked why he should be the Dem top member on the committee said it was because it was his turn, his chance).

Link to tweet

[wolfie001]

63. He looks like a cadaver

And I've never been to medical school. Yipers. I like the guy but AOC would have been such a better choice. I think the billionaires sent Pelosi and this guy a memo. They're afraid of AOC and Progressives in general.

[Karasu]

74. So afraid that they'd rather see the country turn into a fascist hellhole, apparently. It pisses me the fuck off.

[Magoo48]

157. If only the meek would follow the example of the strong.

[Brenda]

121. Holy shit.

This is the first I heard and saw him.

AOC was THE WAY FORWARD but the old soon to be dead guard decided to play favorites and fuck us all.

Really, what difference is there?

[BattleRow]

55. Doing a job on us,not a job for us.

[KPN]

68. Bingo. You answered your own question ... and

currently I agree. I’m hoping that someone or some group of Democratic Party folks steps forward and fills that gaping hole soon. In reality though, it may take some time, maybe longer than my remaining lifetime at 74. But I am optimistic that it will happen, whether it occurs in the Democratic Party or in a progressive off-shoot. I feel certain that will someday happen.

[NEOBuckeye]

72. It's a vacuum

And Trump is more than happy to fill it with his own fascist bullshit

[krawhitham]

130. And what should leadership be doing?

Throwing a fit on TV, because that all they got.

Most of what he is doing is legal, and the little that's not comes with zero penalty. The Inspectors General Purge, sure it's illegal without warning congress but there is no build in punishment

Besides showing there ass on TV what do you think they should be doing?

[Shipwack]

140. They should be leading by example.

Remember during the Obama years when the Republicans wanted to eliminate the ACA? Every day, they voted on it. Yes, they had no chance of succeeding, but they held votes on it.

Every. Single. Day.

They knew it wasn't going to pass. You know why they they did this?

1) To show what they believed in
2) To energize their base
3) To keep in the news and occupy the news of the day.

We need to be doing something, all the time. We have to push back on everything. There should be -no- Democrat votes on these incompetent, corrupt cabinet appointees. Sure, give someone like Rubio some votes, but not the rest. Keep the caucus unified.

Trump has already done at least three impeachable things. We should be at least talking about this possibility, if not actually filing the paperwork. Instead, we're mumbling complaints like the guy in Office Space who had his stapler stolen.

[krawhitham]

144. Republicans controlled house at that point, what do we control? Not the ability to force a vote on anything

You need control of the house to impeach, we don't have that. So we can't impeach him unless a few GOP house members switch parties. (then you need 67 senators)


Buckle up, all we can do is vote in 2 years and hope we can give Dems back control of something. Right now they are powerless, they warned us this would happen if he won. Shame many did not believe it

[Cirsium]

162. 1000 recs

Great post.

[moose65]

169. Democrats can't have votes on things

The Dems do not control either House of congress. They have no power to bring ANYTHING to a vote.

Next idea??

[Cirsium]

154. That is so insulting

"Throwing a fit on TV?" You are dismissing the value of communication? You are dismissing the many, many loyal Democrats who are urging stronger stands from the Democrats? Can you defend Democrats voting for any of Trump's nominees? You would minimize the extent of the crisis and the reign of terror millions of people are now under?

No? Then what are you trying to say with your nasty little "throwing a fit on TV" remark? You are mocking those who have legitimate criticism about the performance of our elected representatives in this unprecedented crisis and trying to shut down this vital discussion.

It is our civic duty and moral obligation to hold those in power to account at all times, but especially now. Millions of lives are at stake.

[hadEnuf]

155. Do you think the GOP would be saying that if it were a Democrat doing all of this?

We just don't have the guts.

[Bobstandard]

187. kraw, you answered your own question

You said:

Throwing a fit on TV, because that all they got

The answer is,

Because that’s all they, got they should be throwing a fit on tv

That’s the biggest tool they’ve got, they should be using it.

Plus they should be using fighting words like:
“He’s crazy.”
“That’s nuts”
“That’s unAmerican”
“That’s un-Christian”

Use the language regular people use and express the emotions we’re all feeling. Check could into DU once in a while to see what the base is thinking. Take back the narrative!

Or, yeah, wait until the next election when you find out you lost even more of your base.

[choie]

188. Much of what he's doing is not legal.

[choie]

189. Throwing a fit in the media would be a good start.

At least show US - their bosses - that they give a good goddamn.

[tableturner]

192. Yes, show their asses on TV non-stop and vent like the GOP does non-stop against us!

You have a defeatist attitude. Republicans win over the populous with total BS. Why? Because they go full throttle to make their points, which usually are total garbage. But they are unrelenting, totally coordinated with what they say, and focused.

We don't, which is why:

They take a complete nothing and turn it into a big something.

We take a big something and turn it into a nothing.

[Magoo48]

160. The half dozen who are stepping up are being mocked by the silence and inaction of the rest.

[Intractable]

7. At least we're together in our aloneness.

Without DU, I'd be lost right now.

[Mad_Machine76]

14. I found DU in the depths of the Bush era

Been here since.

[MustLoveBeagles]

13. The silence is deafening

[BonnieJW]

50. Maybe they're sitting back and allowing

The country to watch this totally magat shitshow. Nothing good is going to come out of this misadministration, so let them hit rock bottom. They voted for this, or they stayed home and this is the consequence

[whathehell]

104. But in terms of what it would do to

all of us, which includes their people, party, and country, it amounts to cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[Cirsium]

207. Some can

Some can sit comfortably above the fray. Aren't they lucky, and after all, who are we to question them?

They can enjoy watching the suffering and say "see? We told you so." That is what they all a "moral victory." It is more important for them to be right than it is to win. The worse things get, the more right they are! And so what if millions who voted Democratic get harmed, as well as millions of children no matter whom their parents voted for,.

[Alice B.]

52. I feel you. And you're not alone in feeling alone.

[DSandra]

151. Scared that Republicans will put them in prison

So they are keeping quiet, hoping to still keep their careers.

[CentralMass]

3. Working on their stock portfolios.

[MustLoveBeagles]

5. I'm not too happy with them either

I don't like the way Biden was treated.

[CousinIT]

6. Hell if I know. Politics Girl and others are yelling about their absolute silence.

[stillcool]

9. working?

you want someone to go on tv? Yell and scream, and stomp their feet. What channel?

[boston bean]

11. I want leadership. Not silence and acquiescence.

[stillcool]

18. you want Chuck Schumer

to go on tv? What about doing their jobs is acquiescing, when their jobs are to find a way out? Not by going on tv, but by working with states, with agencies, with courts, with whatever they have across the country to work with. You want them to stop and brief you and everyone else on the planet on what might work? We've never frigging been in this place before. What power does Chuck Schumer have? or do you know something I don't?

[boston bean]

22. I want to hear what they plan to do.

I want to see some coordinated resistance plan.

Yes i want them on TV screaming from the rooftops about the dangerous times we are in.

Too much to ask?

[stillcool]

23. I can't quite believe it...

Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do. Are you from MA? Perhaps you should ask Senator Warren or Markey to go on tv. Make sure you tell them what channel you watch.

[boston bean]

28. There are many ways to message resistance

Tv being one you seem most interested in.

Markey snd Warren have no one answering phones in any office. You get a voice mail. Not all that reassuring i hate to say. I don’t have a direct number for either. I do love them both. But we need Democratic leadership leading them as well, that is missing.

With all that in mind please take your strawmans elsewhere.

[stillcool]

38. I just saw Warren was on tv!

I don't watch television myself, but am not sure where the histrionics are supposed to take place. Warren and Markey work for the state of MA., not Chuck Schumer. Have no idea what 'straw-man you are talking about. The idea that there would be a 'plan' to resist what has happened in the last 7 days, with absolutely no power except through the law....I don't get it! I know there are court cases going on over the country to do with immigration, but I don't have the inclination to find out what, where, and how many. But, if I really wanted to know, I would check that out. I guess I should not pay attention to the words you use, as they appear on the page.

[boston bean]

42. Wow. LOL

[orangecrush]

45. Bye

[betsuni]

71. Thank you!

[Scrivener7]

73. Communication is not histrionics. The fact that you ridicule the notion that our leaders should communicate

is bizarre.

[stillcool]

78. I ridicule the language being used...

to belittle every Democrat serving in an elected office. I find it pointless, juvenile, and irritating. And perhaps.....just perhaps...I may be a little taut.

[Scrivener7]

93. You ridicule a question that is perfectly legitimate and try to shut down the discussion because you don't like it.

Others obviously DO want to discuss it.

[stillcool]

96. I question the ridiculing of the Democratic party

you obviously have no problem with that. I do not wish to shut down any discussion. I want to know what the point is of the blame Democrats game. No suggestions, no ideas, no calls to action. Nothing. Just blame a Democrat. Fine.

[Scrivener7]

100. The point of THIS OP is to ask where is the Democratic leadership. The question is legitimate.

The one communication we have gotten from them is that God will take care of it.

That's absolutely not acceptable. That is more than worthy of criticism.

We are not republiQans. WE are not a cult who blindly accepts unacceptable behavior from our leadership. We can and SHOULD criticize our leaders when it is warranted.

This situation warrants it.

[Cirsium]

171. Pot meet kettle

People here are demanding accountability from those in power. Punching up.

You are attacking rank and file Democrats you disagree with. Punching down.

[stillcool]

175. I am not attacking anyone

I am expressing my opinion on a Democratic discussion board, about the adjectives some use to describe the very human beings that have been representing me for years. If I can not defend the Democrats that work for me, in my state, what is the site about? One word gotcha come-backs that mean nothing but derision? What a frigging joke. I would think most of the 'rank and file' dissing the Democratic party have no Democratic elected officials representing them.

[Cirsium]

179. Backward

The politicians represent us, it is not our job to represent them. Civics 101.

You have mocked, ridiculed, mischaracterized and dismissed others here with whom you disagree. I am calling that "attacking." I you prefer we can all it "mocking, ridiculing, mischaracterizing and dismissing."

[stillcool]

185. your elected officials represent your state

my Democratic elected officials represent mine. They do not work for you. You did not elect them. Obviously.

[Cirsium]

193. Wrong

We organized a massive campaign here to elect Democrats across the country, raising money and making GOTV calls.

[stillcool]

199. Wrong. You elect your representatives

Last edited Tue Jan 28, 2025, 08:36 PM - Edit history (1)

it is the type of government we have. A Representative Republic.
https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/ap-gov/representative-republic

[Cirsium]

200. Good grief

I have voted straight Democratic in every election for 50+ years and worked in dozens of campaigns.

What a ridiculous and obnoxious response.

[tableturner]

195. They get blame because they do not fight like the GOP does, and they deserve it!

Republicans go full throttle to make their points, which usually are total garbage. But they are unrelenting, totally coordinated with what they say, and focused.

We don't, which is why:

They take a complete nothing and turn it into a big something.

We take a big something and turn it into a complete nothing.

They fight non-stop and win...we barely fight and get our asses kicked over and over. Even when we win, we win by less than we should for the same reasons.

They should do what Republicans do to attack us with lies (but we can do it with the truth!), which is to have our reps and surrogates unrelentingly spew the truth with the same focus, repetition, and venom that the Republicans use when they spew lies!

Fight non-stop, dammit!

[stillcool]

197. maybe a miilitia would be a better fix

My Senators are very smart. They know the laws, they know the way Congress works. Not good at all.

[Cirsium]

165. Histrionics?

Why are you insulting people like that, mocking them and mischaracterizing their arguments?

No power? The Republicans relentlessly advance their agenda no matter how many seats they have and no matter how unpopular their agenda is. They obstruct everything the Democrats try to do and use whatever they can to blast their message out.

None of what is happening now magically appeared overnight. It has been decades in the making. So, yes, I would expect there to be a plan to resist the right wingers. The politicians said they had a plan when they wanted our votes and our money. They said that Project 2025 was a grave threat and that democracy was on the line. So, what's the plan???

Why do you put the word plan in brackets? Is the idea of demanding a plan just silly in your view?

[stillcool]

177. How can there be a 'plan'

when the actions are being taken on a daily basis in the span of a week? Actions that have never been taken before. Do you know what legal remedies there are for each of the actions taken? Are there any work-arounds that could maybe exclude the Supreme Court? Are there a conglomerate of states, working together to work towards a fix? A reaction follows an action, but the reaction damn well better have meaning, and teeth, rather than snot and spittle.

[orangecrush]

44. I was waiting

For you to say that.

Blocking him.

[stillcool]

48. her

[Justice matters.]

98. Billionaire TV Inc will not let them build a resistance on their air.

Maybe that's what is happening.

Maybe they know it.

But Joy is doing her job, and so is Rachel.

[Cirsium]

174. So?

"They won't let us?" Of course they won't. Nothing new there.

The problem is that any strong resistance that starts to form gets killed in the cradle by people who are supposedly our allies. It is happening right on this thread in real time. People who are advocating a stronger push back (and all social and political change starts with advocacy) are being mercilessly mocked and ridiculed, and their message is being trivialized and dismissed.

[aka-chmeee]

184. The rooftop screaming has been echoing for years

Not a problem of not stating the position, rather a problem that too many 'merkins think the only people that will be hurt are their enemies. They FA and have yet to FO. Nothing short of personal experience of the hardships has any chance of penetrating their armor..I'm not completely sure even that will penetrate.

[boston bean]

186. There are very obvious harmful things happening. We have never had this happen before.

We could grow our numbers. But hey let’s just keep quiet.

[Scrivener7]

70. Yes. Of course. I want Chuck Schumer to go on TV. Part of their job is communicating and leading the party.

They can't do that with silence. I want Chuck and every other Democrat to go on TV with a unified message of resistance.

You ask, "You want Chuck Schumer to go on TV?" as if that's a bad thing. It isn't. OF COURSE WE WANT CHUCK SCHUMER TO GO ON TV.

Jesus.

[stillcool]

75. Chuck Schumer on tv....

now that is clear, concise, and does not have derogatory language. That is a doable thing! People need to email/call whoever they can and ask that Chuck Schumer do a press conference to discuss the events of the past week. Not hard.

[Scrivener7]

79. Then why did you spend all those posts ridiculing the notion, calling it "histrionics?"

And yes, I have been emailing and calling. A) I shouldn't have to. B) I get a machine.

So the OP is posing a perfectly legitimate question.

[boston bean]

80. It was my tone, I think.

[Scrivener7]

82. Given the situation and the near silence, I think your tone was perfectly appropriate.

[boston bean]

83. Ty.

💕

[stillcool]

90. I was responding to a post

referring to

silence and acquiescence, and wanting a coordinated resistance plan and wanting them on TV screaming from the rooftops about the dangerous times we are in

I have no frigging idea who knows what the eff is going on minute to minute, but I can't stand to see hard working individuals having to take the heat for what 300+ million people have done. Granted I only have a handful of people who represent me, but damn. They're ordinary human beings. Most people...even here...don't even have Democrats representing them, but the way their taking the heat is ridiculous. I don't understand.

[Scrivener7]

94. These are our elected leaders. They need to lead. They have been silent during the worst crisis

our Democracy has faced in my lifetime. They should be communicating with us every day and on every platform available.

[stillcool]

99. My Senators, and Congressman work for the people of my state.

the 300+ million Americans are responsible for the last 7 days, not the three human beings that represent me. Warren speaks out often, but she will not be responding to everything the White House does every 5 minutes they do it. They are limited by the power they have, by the lack of foresight in what is going to happen when, and how....if at all....they can respond. Wait....I am very wrong to be saying any of this. I am so sorry. You are absolutely correct in all you say. I'm outta here...

[Scrivener7]

107. Sarcasm noted, but yes. You were wrong to ridicule a plea for communication from our leaders during

an unprecedented crisis and to call it "histrionics."

[stillcool]

111. oh yeah...who are 'our' leaders?

[Cirsium]

172. Really?

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Harry S. Truman

[stillcool]

178. how original.

thanks for the laugh.

[Cirsium]

180. That is funny to you?

That says a lot.

[stillcool]

182. yes it is...haven't heard it in years

[Cirsium]

147. The "job"

The job of the Democratic politicians, the only job that really matters, the job for which we elected them, is to stop the right wing at all costs, whatever it takes.

[stillcool]

183. My elected officials represent my state.

the people of my state of which I am one. I did not vote for a single Republican and have none representing me. The human beings I chose to vote for are decent people doing the job they were hired to do. If you want a militia join the GOP.

[Cirsium]

196. Nope

MAGA is everywhere, the right wing dominates the media, and the country is in grave danger.

When your roof leaks because of faulty workmanship, you don't blame the rain. You don't yell at the weather forecaster. You demand accountability from the roofer.

[BComplex]

161. And why can't they do it all? Going on TV doesn't work too well when ALL media is owned by the right wing.

But it's better than not going on tv.

[stillcool]

181. some do...

Elizabeth Warren was on last night. There have been various state representatives on. I went to a local virtual town hall last month regarding the impossibility of preparing for what has not yet happened. My Democratic representatives can't very well go on tv to discuss actions they have not yet taken in regards to actions the president has only just taken on a daily basis in the space of one week. Actions never taken before by any president. Legal actions, because that is what the Legislature does. But hey...have fun. I'll try to get a sense of humor about all the belittling comments.

[Clouds Passing]

10. Yup WTF are they?

[Jit423]

210. We are here. We are the Dems. Stop bellyaching and do something. I just attended a small group meeting held in

confidence in a home basement. We are organizing to make sure our family members are correctly registered to vote in the mid-terms, identifying Gen-Z graduates who need to know and understand the political ropes, getting volunteers to tutor kids in civics and teaching them about the history of WWII. We are also strategizing on how to operate safely through the GOP political waters so as to protect ourselves from discriminatory corporate practices. Some have suggested working to get more funds to ACLU and identifying other legal resources to help those of us in crisis. The group of 11 is small, but they came up with some really good ideas on how not to comply in advance. Two people have volunteered to re-read project 2025 and to focus attention on areas that might be easier to fight or resist legally. We were not all in agreement on tactics but we all agreed on continuing our meetings and enlarging our group. We also identified a number of businesses in our area to either support or not support depending on what we know about the owners' support of the fascist state and its leader. Our main focus is on becoming a resource for ourselves and those who are most vulnerable in our community.

BTW, eggs are not a part of our grocery lists for price and health reasons. Of the people attending the meeting, I was the only one who knew about DU. I look for about 10 new members within the next month. Ages ranged from about 35 - 72

[Clouds Passing]

217. Fantastic ideas

[bucolic_frolic]

12. Strategizing. They know what to do about as much as you do. Pushback is one play. Better make it a good one. /nt

[Mad_Machine76]

15. If the Republicans were in the minority

They’d be a lot less quiet. They’d be idiots about it of course. But they wouldn’t be quiet about it.

[Scubamatt]

135. Totally agree,

but its time to face facts that the information dissemination channels in this country do NOT reward cogent, logical analysis with documented footnotes. They reward spectacle, bombast and entertainment. I don't like that one bit, but we might as well howl at the moon. Republicans get their message across and engage their base, because they know how to play to this dynamic, even if it is childish and idiotic. Notice how their antics never seems to backfire on them?

[Mad_Machine76]

16. One play?

Only one?

[choie]

25. Strategizing?

How do you know that?

[Orrex]

67. Strategizing? Seriously?

We had four years of Garland's strategizing, and it escorted Trump straight into the Whitehouse.

With the daily nonstop chaos from the felon in chief, it's not unreasonable for the non-fuckhead constituency to hope for some kind of reassurance from the party. We don't need a concrete plan laid out for us, but any statement that we aren't alone in this.

I don't care how many people clap their hands an believe; we need something more resolute than the tepid assurance of anonymous DUers.

[DSandra]

153. So much for strategizing during the last election...

The party is not known for playing 4D chess well...

[LuvLoogie]

17. The three that jump out to me are all women.

AOC (NY), Jasmine C (TX), and Tammy D (IL).

Not getting any fight vibe from the men.

[electric_blue68]

21. Warren was just on Jen Psaki's show. I think she's good, too.

Another woman.

[True Dough]

36. Then you haven't been watching Jamie Raskin

He's been holding his ground.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c9dRxxVayDU

[likesmountains 52]

19. I've been calling my Senators every day...crickets.

[NewHendoLib]

20. It's a question I've been asking since election night.

Really embarrassing performance so far

[choie]

24. It's astonishing.

They're letting the ship go down with the captain. Shame on them.

[kacekwl]

26. Only a select few

are speaking up. Disappointing.

[choie]

27. They're not the ones that will suffer

Many of them are millionaires, what the fuck do they care?

[msongs]

29. you may be sure to note they have jacked up their money begging again via text and

snail mail.

[AllyCat]

66. I've blocked all the fundraising emails and texts.

This is really bad for democracy.

[tonekat]

145. Now when they ask for money,

I reply with "Buy guns and ammo".

[Skittles]

76. they have a lot of nerve

begging for money without a unified message from them regarding the fascist takeover

[we can do it]

30. Cashing in stocks before the crash?

[Emile]

31. This centrist populism behavior is why we're in trouble.

Last edited Wed Jan 29, 2025, 06:26 AM - Edit history (1)

[Scrivener7]

97. Asking our leaders to communicate with us is centrist behavior? Do tell.

[Emile]

118. Nice spin

?feature=shared

[Celerity]

206. I am pretty sure that is not what Emile meant at all when they referred to centrist behaviour.

[tinymontgomery]

32. Many are behind their keyboards asking me for money. n/t

[timms139]

89. Yep They sent

me one with Nancy is asking and I wrote them an email and told them to never send me anything else with Nancy's name on it after her stabbing Joe in the back . Her and the other lifers are killing us trying to win elections . Instead of letting AOC have a chair she blocked that for another lifer. It's time to tell them to go .

[R. P. McMurphy]

33. Composing a strongly worded letter? nt

[Wingus Dingus]

35. They know we don't have a country anymore, what is the point of incurring his wrath?

Look at Fetterman, kissing Trump's flabby orange ass to stay relevant. They're all saving themselves right now. We're 100 % lawless. It's just as bad as we thought it was going to be.

[boston bean]

39. If the plan is to just not have a country anymore

and go along with that, maybe the message is loud and clear.

[Wingus Dingus]

40. There is no message. They're baffled and feeling their way around in the dark

and there's no guardrails or directions.

[vapor2]

37. Call Dems, not just your own rep, leave messages

Staffers will want your zip so call after hours and leave messages

[milestogo]

41. They're asking for money.

If I stop getting fundraising emails I'll know they've given up.

[Alice B.]

86. Those phony surveys. But instead of a submit button, you get sent to ActBlue.

Recycling these lazya** 2016 questions: "should we run more ads? Knock on doors? Phone bank?"... and then the donation page.

That's another thing I'm livid about.

[milestogo]

124. Every. Single. Time.

But to be fair- every organization does that. Straightaway to the money page.

[FakeNoose]

198. Responses to the fundraiser emails won't get handed over to the legislators

I'm sorry, maybe you've realized this already....

The people who do the fundraising emails are only subcontractors. They're probably not even in the same zipcode as your Senators and Representatives. They're not going to pass along angry messages to the people who are paying their salaries.

We need to be more direct. We need to interact with the staff secretaries who take calls and messages for our Senators and Representatives. At least there's a chance that those will be turned over to the big boss.

[milestogo]

203. Why are you telling me this?

If I contact a legislator I make a phone call, send a letter, or use the email form on their website.

[H2O Man]

43. Recommended.

I think they are at the grass roots' level. We would benefit from a Democratic Spring.

[KatjeD]

46. How are you personally holding them accountable???

Are you calling your Democratic Congressional reps daily?
Are you publishing how they vote on your social media accounts?
Are you contacting the DNC and asking them, "Where the fuck are you?"
If you aren't taking these personal steps, why are you waiting for some Dem savior? We're it, friend. Get busy.

[JMCKUSICK]

51. Welcome KatjeD

Please don't forget to talk to your circle of influence too.
Each time he takes a brick out of the foundation. Make it known!

[Scrivener7]

77. Why would you assume we are not doing these things?

Last edited Mon Jan 27, 2025, 11:22 PM - Edit history (1)

You haven't been here long. You've underestimated most of us already.

What we are doing is not the subject of this thread. The question is, "What are our leaders doing?" Answering that by saying, "What are YOU doing?" is simply an attempt to shut down THIS conversation.

If you want to know what people here are doing, start another thread on that topic.

Do, though, contribute anything you know about what our leaders are doing to this thread.

[Nigrum Cattus]

47. At this point there is not a lot that can be done

When every Dem votes against a bill and it still passes, what do you
want them to do ? Going on TV and whining like a red-hat is useless.
We are not going to win most of the battles coming up. This week
will be critical to future results - they are already emptying the Justice
dept of anyone that is competent. The bottom has yet to be seen.

[Cirsium]

173. The Republicans don't have that problem

The Republicans never have that problem when they are in the minority. Why is that? "Whatever can we doooooo???" said no Republican ever, no matter how much we had them on the ropes (and let them back up).

[JMCKUSICK]

49. Maybe they're looking to Moaning Joe for guidance

[Nanjeanne]

53. Even Republican Adam Kinzinger is asking where they are.

https://bsky.app/profile/adamkinzinger.bsky.social/post/3lgreer4ayc2c]

I’ll be honest, this week there was more to destroy the rule of law than in trumps first term,

And i have no idea what the Democrats are doing to fight back. Or even saying. Crickets

[PurgedVoter]

54. Some say, keep the powder dry or it's someone elses turn

I say, lead or get out of the way.

[DJ Synikus Makisimus]

56. Problem solving with their FRIENDS across the aisle. (n/t)

[barbiegeek]

57. LESSONS

Watching. Maybe some voters will learn finally learn what Dems have been protecting them from. FAFO

[Oneironaut]

58. That's forbidden knowledge.

To find each of them, you need to act like Nicholas Cage in National Treasure and follow obscure clues around the world.

I think Hakeem Jeffries left a secret clue of his whereabouts for us in the latest version of People magazine.

/j

[Arazi]

59. It's infuriating. This really is a constitutional crisis

Traitor is usurping Congressional authority over the purse.

I’m not sure why Dems aren’t screaming bloody murder right now. They have standing to sue over the Impoundment Act.

Like wtf folks?!? 🤬

[harumph]

60. Maybe the 'plan' is to let Trump run it off the rails.

Honestly, I don't see a cultural shift unless things go to total shit under republican governance.
It's completely fucked and if democratic leadership can't stop Trump, but they try and fail - they'll just be
blamed and look stupid. He's got the SC and both houses. Buckle up and hoard sardines.

[Justice matters.]

105. Yep. The plan is let the morons who believed the felon's promises (groceries...)

And the idiots who stayed home because.... because... Gaza? or else:

Let them Find Out what their votes and their inaction will bring them.

Maybe they will learn "the lesson" that Elections have consequences... otherwise if they don't stop FA, then it's useless.

[flvegan]

61. First, getting their securities trades in order.

Second, checking their powder for absolute dryness.

[betsuni]

69. The chair is elected. It's a vote. Pelosi didn't "pick" anyone. Conspiracy theory.

[betsuni]

64. They lost, as everyone keeps reminding us, what they didn't do and should've done and

aren't doing and following the rule of never giving the benefit of the doubt and having bad motivations or being stupid.

Why expect a party out of power to fix everything after a week? Same as what always happens to Democrats: Clinton, Obama, Biden got two years and everybody got all mad and pissy they didn't fix every problem in a very large country, handing over Congress to Republicans for the next six years. Then blaming Democrats for what Republicans did and didn't do because they have no idea how government works. Government means Democrats and they hate them. That's the American way.

Again I say, people who hate Democrats should join third parties and ensure Republicans are in power for decades. Americans must like it. They want Republicans. The Democratic Party has nothing to do with it. All the hate and lies about Democrats paving the way to Trump and ignoring the working class and doing nothing -- they LOVE having a scapegoat to despise.

Now back to the I Hate Democrats show.

[boston bean]

65. No one is expecting a fix.

What is expected is a message of resistance. Some leadership. Not silence or acquiescence.

Even if at the end if the day there is nothing they can do, they still have a voice and I expect them to use it.

[LauraInLA]

101. I've seen Jamie Raskin EVERYWHERE EVERY DAY this week. I've seen Jasmine Crockett and AOC.

I’ve read about Tammy Baldwin, Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, Bernie, Hakeem Jeffries, and a bunch of other people — I’d have to go look at every article I’ve read to catch them all. I think there are members in swing/Red districts who have to be more careful, and I see a lot of strong comments from Dems in their particular area of “expertise”/committee work.

I know they’re setting up a fight about the debt ceiling. I don’t think they’re sitting around — so much sh-t has happened this week, even more than we thought or had on our bingo cards — they have to have time to make plans and coordinate with lawyers, especially.

[sheshe2]

116. Thank you.

All I am reading here is Democrats need to grow a spine! Where are they? Why aren't they speaking out?

I also read people advocating for a third party, here on Democratic Underground!

This is NOT the way forward.

[moonshinegnomie]

81. ive gotten a couple of fund raising texts in the past 2 days

they still want my money but havent done anything to deserve it.
not donating another nickle.
instead im selling a lot of my stocks to buy gold for the coming collapse after the rethugs drive us off a cliff

[bullimiami]

84. Being mostly ignored by media as usual.

[Daleuhlmann]

85. We Need New Blood!

Boston Bean: I have touched on this issue several times myself, and have written the DNC: striving for negotiation and bipartisanship with Trump and his extremist lemmings is an exercise in futility. MAGA sees this, and with reason, as a sign of weakness and temerity on the Democrats' part. They need to condemn Trump, vocally and unapologetically, for his flagrant contempt for the law and due process rights. On a related note, why haven't Democrats been caling for more forcefully and backing uneqivocally lawsuits on behalf of Inspector Generals and Jack Smith-appointed DIJ prosecutors whom Trump has fired without first having gone through the required legal steps?

[qazplm135]

87. Right where we voted them

Powerless

[Scrivener7]

95. They're not powerless. They are the leaders of half the country. And we have not heard a word from

them, other than Hakeem telling us Jesus is going to take care of it.

This is not good enough.

[qazplm135]

115. Hearing a word stops what?

Here's my issue, we need to stop needing leaders to satisfy us.

There's two options and one is way worse. End of democracy worse.

I wish we had a bunch of awesome leaders. We don't.

Neither do they, but the difference is they turn out regardless.

[betsuni]

117. I don't understand the obsession with leadership. Do people really need to be told what to do,

maybe it's about something else. Republican voters paid no attention to leadership, Trump formed his slogans according to audience response. He is their creation. They hear what they want to hear.

Clearly, the Goldilocks fantasy that if someone on the Left says just the right words suddenly everyone will listen and vote against Republicans because the savior has explained things to them -- that's a populist fantasy.

[kentuck]

88. If the people thought we needed to start over...?

...would they throw out more Republicans or more Democrats?

It appears that most Republicans, especially those in Washington, just don't give a shit?

[samsingh]

91. i agree. Where are they?

[Karch]

92. Hakeem Jeffries

This little salvo was twitted by Hakeem Jeffries. Rest easy everyone.

Hakeem Jeffries
@RepJeffries
Presidents come and Presidents go.
Through it all.
God is still on the throne.
1:37 PM · Jan 26, 2025
·
4.7M
Views

[XanaDUer2]

136. I don't even know what this means

Either. I am less comforted by this than silence. Is he saying just lie back and take it bc god is in control?

[Beck23]

102. Voters removed from the rolls

State government records are showing that about 4 million voters were removed from the voter rolls without enough time to re-register before the election. 800,000 in Georgia. Voter suppression won.

[oldmanlynn]

106. We are the party. The party is us.

[NBachers]

109. Remember when there was an announcement that a big thing was going to be unveiled? And it turned out to be

that most-generic-of-all new symbol for the Democrats?

I think they’re busy designing an umlaut to go over that symbol so that they’ll look really aggressive and strong.

[LudwigPastorius]

110. "Where the fuck are the Democrats?"

The Congressional minority leaders were addressing specific issues.

Schumer spoke outside a restaurant in Rochester today about efforts to limit the spread of avian flu.

That got him a 14-second sound bite on the local news.

https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-standing-at-rochesters-jines-restaurant-with-egg-and-grocery-prices-rising-due-to-bird-flu-outbreak-calls-on-feds-to-surge-biosecurity-and-get-all-hands-on-deck-to-help-farms-contain-bird-flu_lower-costs-for-upstate-families-and-restaurants

Jeffries spoke yesterday about vandalism at a Jewish restaurant near his district.

Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, is on his way out. A new leader gets elected February 1st at the DNC Winter Meeting.

So, that's what the leaders were doing.

[DJ Synikus Makisimus]

112. Asking Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger what to do. (n/t)

[Hassler]

114. On his Countdown podcast KO said.

Rather than Durbin writing a letter to go introduce a file a new impeachment charge for every crime Scump commits. Better than the nothing I'm seeing.

[Meowmee]

119. Agree

We need more visible push back etc and communication. I think some are working more behind the scenes to fight the mass of shit that has started.

[Patton French]

120. I see them fighting to the extent they can in the minority.

Not sure what else they can be doing.

[LeftInTX]

123. I agree. They are there to do a job. It's our job to bitch and moan.

It's not their job to hold rallies and protests when they have to fuck'n focus on all the shit that's being thrown at them daily from Trump.
They really need to focus on their jobs and that is what they are doing. If they don't focus...guess what??? It gets worse....

Sure, they can abandon their desks and hold rallies, encourage a general strike, set themselves on fire, but guess what "you-know-who" will do? The cat will play while the mice are away.

Remember when the Texas Democratic delegation broke quorum and went to DC? It's good PR, but what did it accomplish?

Remember in 2011, when the Democrats in Wisconsin broke quorum and fled to Illinois and they had those huge protests? Guess what? The Republicans changed the quorum rules while they were gone and passed a bill that ended collective bargaining for teachers.

[LeftInTX]

122. Well, with all this hate, this sounds like Palestinians versus Israel.

Democrats are the Palestinians and Republicans are Israel. One is more powerful and the other tries to fight, but gets their rockets eaten up and pretty much gets wiped out. It sure feels that way. We just aren't strong and powerful.

[TBF]

125. As others have said, the plan may be to let Trump go off the rails

and clean up after. I am not sure it's a great one given that he literally has access to nuclear weapons. But as we've seen, the old guard in the party is holding on with a vengeance - you saw how quickly they shot down AOC for chair of the House Oversight Committee. I've gone back and forth on that. Initially I was furious, but then I thought about how the old guard has been in Washington a long time and know what they are dealing with on the other side. They may feel the safest approach is to hunker down.

I have been spending a lot of online time on BlueSky. There are a lot of antifascists over there that have moved over from X/Twitter. Like DU, it's another place to connect. It's more about sharing memes and limited opinions over there but is supportive. Obviously for actual conversations this forum is about as good as it gets. I found this place 18 years ago, while I was spending many hours locally campaigning for Obama. I give donations nearly every year to keep it active, even when I'm not posting as much. But adding places like Bluesky to check in once a day may be helpful for you - as long as we are allowed to have it. At some point I expect our dear leader to start cracking down as much as he can on dissent.

Unfortunately, I think it will get worse before it gets better, and we are basically on our own. We need to take care of each other.

[MineralMan]

127. Fighting with each other as usual.

When will we learn?

[LW1977]

128. I hate to say it, but I have to ask the same question.

Where the F—K are they?

[samnsara]

129. can you imaine how hard it is for the Dem Lawmakers to HAVE to be in

..that political hellmouth..day in and day out? What it does to their psyche? Their very will to live? They may not be making noise but by god they are there so we dont have to be.

[boston bean]

139. No. It is in no way as hard for them as it is for us.

[Passages]

131. They're right here: The Senate has voted 97-0 to invoke cloture on the nomination of Sean Duffy

The Senate has voted 97-0 to invoke cloture on the nomination of Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation.

Duffy, a former Wisconsin Congressman, was introduced at his hearing by Senator Tammy Baldwin who said it was a “pleasure” to introduce him and that he was “the right person for this job.”

snip*Duffy is a climate change denier, a lobbyist, & a supporter of Trump’s Muslim ban and anti immigrant bigotry. Yet here is a top Democratic senator not just voting for him but introducing and vouching for him.

This is the Democratic ‘resistance’ to Trump term 2.
Kill me now.

Link to tweet

[Irish_Dem]

132. We are supposed to chill out. God. Is. On. His. Throne.

All is well.

[Doodley]

133. The only way to get their message through is to stand united, every Democratic lawmaker, and make a joint statement.

Their messaging needs to get headlines. They need to state simply the seriousness of the damage Trump is doing and how it affects ordinary Americans, red or blue.

[Scubamatt]

134. I'm glad

to see this post. I have been asking this same question, but have been shouted down by some members who believe that we should just passively play along with all this, keep our heads down and our powder dry and not rock the boat until the mid terms because that is how politics are. To be absolutely clear, I will always vote blue, but our leadership could learn a thing or two from our opponents about how to keep their base engaged and energized. Most of our leaders really don't know how to do that (with SOME exceptions). And, if we are to persuade this country that the situation is as bad as we said it would be during the election (and I thinks its worse), we better be regularly pushing back with at least counter-messaging, even if we don't have the legislative power at this time. We need leaders to guide and shape this opposition, however, because as another post points out, Trump's strategy is to be a chaos agent and flood the public discourse with so much &*^%$# that we can't focus on anything. Democratic leaders, if you're listening, PLEASE pick a message, and then identify the 3-4 most important issues around which we build that message, and then keep hammering it every day, in speeches, appearances, social media posts, talk shows, etc.

[flashman13]

137. It's about damned time to ask this question. They appear mesmerized by the bullshit.

[Takket]

138. I hear yeah but the American people put the Democrats in time out

They declared they don’t want us in charge of anything. And indeed we are not.

[Flash953]

141. Does Hakim Jefferies appear to be backing down?

There is some hope. Idiots make fun of his speaking style but it's there for a reason. It's there because it makes you listen. Watch this video....

&lc=UgyTHgNi4KgfvJ6sjFh4AaABAg.ADh6bKI-r3mADqfZFKXpTx

[Cirsium]

168. Hmmm

That's the resistance?

[Maru Kitteh]

143. Kick.

[DSandra]

150. If Dems don't want to defend its constituents, let another party do it

Either do your job or get out the way and let someone else take over!

[Oopsie Daisy]

191. I do not understand why anyone would advocate to "let another party do it" ... really?

Perhaps it's a indication of a complete loss of faith with the Democratic party with wanting "another party" to take over.

So, I'm hoping that you can explain further and let us know which third-party you're recommending? Jill Stein's "Green party?" Nina Turner's "People's Party?" Does the "Peace and Freedom Party" or the "No Labels Party" grab ya?

Honestly, I do not thing this is a good idea. I hope that the suggestion to "let someone else take over" wasn't sincere and was instead just a lapse of good judgement and something said in anger and frustration.

[betsuni]

213. If people hate this fictional Democratic Party they believe in like a religion so much, I say join the third parties.

Give up! Let Americans suffer. Make sure Republicans stay in power for decades.

Put their populist fantasy revolution heroes up on pedestals to worship, who get nothing done except speeches and comments on social media to keep their followers worked up and emotional. Mock Democrats for making speeches and comments on social media. Emotion beats thinking! To accomplish nothing and let Americans (especially the poor) suffer is preferable in the all-or-nothing populist world. Shows one's moral superiority.

One week. And everybody knows somehow that no Democrats in the country are doing anything and don't care. How do they know, why do they assume? Like religion. Propaganda win.

[Oopsie Daisy]

214. Preach! Praise! Amen sister!

Lord. 🙄🤪

[claudette]

156. Same question here

Their silence is deafening

[NNadir]

159. I'm here. I'm a Democrat. There is an advantage, in my view...

...to giving people what they asked for, as in the old adage, "Be careful what you ask for, you may get it."

The United States is about to experience a grotesque and unprecedented disaster, something all of us here opposed.

Hopefully our country's flirtation with fascism, even the embrace of it doesn't end up with Philadelphia ending up like Hamburg in 1945, New York looking like Dresden in that year, Washington looking like Tokyo in that year, and Charleston looking like Hiroshima in that year.

Nevertheless, Germany paid a price for those enthusiastic crowds depicted in Reifenstahl's 1935 "documentary" Triumph of the Will." Interstingly, by 1950 no one would confess to being in those filmed hysterical crowds, and yet the crowds existed.

Japan paid a price for confusing the Emporer will the source of the Universe.

Some Americans who confused Trump with their professed God Jesus, will pay for their confusion.

In Germany, in Japan, and indeed in Italy, there were innocents who suffered as well. Sophie Schall was beheaded. Bombs fell on Social Democrats.

There were of course collaborators who gave up. We will have our cases of Fritz von Papen. But we are here; we're here, and though it rains on the just and unjust alike, though bombs fall on them alike, we must have the courage, remain as true to ourselves as we can, and wait and work, each in our own way and time for a better day.

They, the fascists, will fail because nothing breeds incompetence like arrogance.

[Doodley]

163. Our nation is facing the biggest constitutional crisis of our lifetimes. The country we knew is being dismantled.

Never has it been more important for all Democratic lawmakers to stand together and speak out and to educate red and blue voters about what is actually happening and how it will affect them and their nation.

[kansasobama]

166. Democrats have been very gutless

A little statement here and there, no press conferences every day on your face, it is pathetic. They should stop trying to appease Fetterman and Gallego. And, they are busy not angering Michigan, Wisconsin Democrats. Here is my opinion. The country has a Constitutional crisis. I mean it is real. Dems are sitting around thinking of a 2026 strategy without hurting Fetterman Dems. Can you show some guts? You have a bigger job. SAVE THE COUNTRY. FIGHT. LEAD!

[JCMach1]

167. Understand here on out: institutional resistance is going to do little...

At least the next two year's.

Direct Action is the only option.

[TransitJohn]

170. Figuring out messaging to leverage citizen angst into cash flow into their coffers.

nm

[Katcat]

176. I think a large part

Of their problem is they’re too old to fight.
FWIW, I wrote to Hakeem Jeffries yesterday and told him (prob an aide) that 5he optics are terrible. We have a crisis and dem leadership hasn’t been seen or heard in weeks,months,whatever.
I told him that people are starting to question if dem leadership is folding because they’re scared OR COMPLICIT.

[Hekate]

190. Be the change you want to see. Links...

Senator Schiff is speaking out on tv. So is Sen. Kaine. Keep seeing others of our Dems doing so…

What exactly do you want them to do? Stand in the Rotunda and announce they have the power to assassinate a bunch of people?

What? I address this to everybody in this thread.

Meanwhile, what are all of YOU doing? I suggest, as I have before, starting with yourself.
Visit these websites, and be the change you want to see.

Get on the mailing list for Indivisible. https://indivisible.org/
They are the Dem’s rebuttal.

See if there’s any way you can support Planned Parenthood, or the Brigid Alliance, or the ACLU. They are the Dem’s rebuttal.

Look up the Electronic Frontier Foundation and scan through their various projects, which include a section on reproductive rights (would you like to make a clinic visit without being tracked? ) https://www.eff.org/
They are the Dem’s rebuttal.

SPLC, the Southern Poverty Law Center has been around forever, and will direct you to ways to organize wherever you live, not just the South. They also have a page with a Hate Map that indicates the 1,430 hate and antigovernment groups that SPLC tracks across the US.
https://www.splcenter.org/
They are the Dem’s rebuttal.

If you wait for our elected officials to rise up and rally the mob um the troops um I mean the citizenry, you will wait a long time. There are innumerable existing groups. As President Obama says, “Don’t boo — organize! “ You don’t even have to start from scratch.

We are the Dem’s rebuttal.

[SocialDemocrat61]

205. Thank you

That’s great info

[betsuni]

208. Thank you!

[sheshe2]

211. I wasn't going to come back to this thread.

I am glade I did.

You should make this an OP, Hekate. TY. TY. TY.

[Lulu KC]

194. Check today's news

Press conferences, wins in court, they're doing what they need to do. The calls are coming in and they are there.

[Progressive dog]

202. Probably waiting for some other Democrat to do something.

or maybe it takes more than a day or two to stop criminals who control the executive branch. Nixon wasn't gone in a few weeks.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

204. I wrote to my new Rep Dave Min.

Sent this afternoon:

"PLEASE! Democrats who value our country are hiding right now. Staying silent isn't what is required of us at the crisis point. Democrats are sending a very bad signal. I implore you to form a committee or meet up to engage to object to the dismantling of our federal government. It's terrifying. Please act on behalf of those of us who care and are terrified."

[Susan Calvin]

209. That's what I'd like to know.

I don't think the Dems even had a plan. I really don't. When someone tells you what they're going to do believe them. They should have been planning every possible way to obstruct since November 6th

[walkingman]

212. Don't forget that the "Bully Pulpit" is real - everything the blob says and does will get attention

good or bad on all different versions of media. That is not the case for the Dems at any level - local, state, or federal.

We are not a cult. We are a diverse group of people that are not predominately white (about 85%). We are not unified nearly as much as the GOP and it is because we represent everyone and with that comes complexity.

I'm not trying to make excuses for the Democratic politicians, and I do think we should be more vocal in our protest. I also think that until we have a more progressive party platform, our struggle will continue. More than likely we will back the House in '26 but even then we will have divided government (with SCOTUS being conservative for at least a generation).

Not sure what can stop this national decline we have seen for at least the last 50 years?

[pat_k]

215. The power of chaos -- the sheer number...

...of simultaneous atrocities dilutes any single response.

Herding democrats is harder than herding cats.

But if they don't figure out how to pick one thing to focus 80% of all communications on with an effective narrative -- and keep hammering that for days -- something that gets into people's heads and can be harkened back to as the opposition shifts to the next target to focus 80% of all communications on, we are sunk.

Trump will just keep leading them by the nose to respond only to the latest atrocity with ineffective messaging that is eclipsed by the next atrocity in hours.

No message will get through as different factions in the opposition focus on a different "worst thing" at a given moment.

And so it goes.

[hannah]

216. They are Pushing Back

Why aren’t YOU? The time is NOW TO FIGHT BACK. THE power is inherent in the people. No one is going to do this for you. We all have to stand up and fight.