“ It’s part of a plan to institute a feeling of learned-helplessness among Democrats”
I would argue that the plan isn’t to institute a feeling of learned helplessness among Democrats. It’s to institute that feeling among the politically apathetic and uninvolved of both parties. Or those who have no party affiliation because they think all politics/politicians are bad.
Dems have seen that engagement and information make a difference. The GOP can only pull off whataboutism and bothsidesism with low information people who haven’t been paying attention.
I will once again say that loud, consistent public education campaigns that have concise, impactful, elegant messages and actions to back them up will go a long way to pique the interest of those who have, until now, decided that they “don’t like to talk about politics”.
Additionally, empowering those of us in the cheap seats with these messages and removing the shame we sometimes feel at our political interest, views and voice, will also help both keep us feeling useful and also start changing the conversation.
For instance, the second the media story isn’t about the cost of the Biden rescue plan and starts being more about the benefits, it’s a win. But to make that happen, the rest of us have to help make it a story. And it would be helpful if we had consistent messaging to do it.
I’m hoping that someone, somewhere is gathering the leaders of all these grassroots organizations and working with them on a messaging plan that they can all work from. Grassroots should mean how they started, not necessarily how they continue.
Dan, here’s any idea for readers eligible to vote in Arizona and West Virginia: call the offices of Senators Sinema and Manchin respectively and let them know that you want HR.1 passed and if that means abolishing the filibuster, so be it
One more thing... Stop watching Sunday shows until they stop the 'both sides' schtick. There are not both sides anymore. And those shows have become a tool to the nuts on the right. Watching them is like watching a cat play with a mouse before it goes in for the kill. They bat the host around and the host becomes the story.
Why did the Senate vote to call witnesses and then not call witnesses? Were the managers expecting the vote to fail? Were they not planning on calling that vote until Rep Beutler made her statement? It seemed so out of place after how on point they were arguing the case.
The timing of this has helped me calm down a bit. Thank you for sharing thoughts and ideas of how to energize my anger into positive work for Deomcracy.
Why is this always on the voters? I'm not disengaging because of McConnell; I'm disengaging because the Democrats just throw up their hands and say “welp nothing we can do” every.single.time.
Is there any seriousness to what McConnell said, that he can still be held liable in civil and criminal court? And then, if convicted, would that not potentially bar him from running again? Or was that just Mtich’s way of avoiding accountability for his vote to acquit?
Thank you for writing this. I am trying to focus on the fact that this was the most bipartisan impeachment in the history of the US. We have our work cut out for us. I would like to also point out that Democracy Docket does amazing work and needs suppot- Marc Elias was instrumental in the court cases before snd the election.
I am delighted to have found you. Your article was very timely. I know I am like countless number of Democrats and in fairness some Republicans, that were outraged by the events of 1/6/21. Since the siege on the Capitol, it is reported that there have been record numbers of Republicans that have left their party. There is apparently a civil war occurring in the Republican party at the moment. The battle appears to be between those who will blindly follow the party of Trump vs those who at minimum recognize the clear and present danger to our precious Democracy. I AM well aware that our Democracy has failed many through the years and historically there are a myriad of injustices that have never been reconciled. Some have lost faith and given up. However, I know of no better way to obtain justice and truth without a Democracy that respects all our voices. A Democracy that stands for the fact that this is OUR country- not "THEIR" country. I can still hear the chilling words of Trump calling out to militia groups, and more to take back "their" country. The article points to the fact that to defeat Democrats they want to render us with a feeling of helplessness. The House Managers that presented the case for prosecution could not have done more to prove Trump's guilt. It is now part of a historical record, which will be studied for years to come. The failure to indict Trump was extremely disappointing ,but he will now be facing countless charges pending before him. It is also my hope that with a new Attorney General that he will not let stand the myriad of attacks on the institutions that were meant to protect us that were so viciously attacked by Trump, This feels like a grassroots group that is motivated to take action to defend our Democracy. At age 71 I have never witnessed a more blatant attack on our Democracy then what occurred on the events of that day. It highlighted just how fragile it is and how alert we all must be to protect it at every turn- it is the thin line that will protect us from the likes of Trump now and in the future. What I know is that without Democracy there is no justice or truth that we can count on. The tools of misinformation and lies were the MO that Trump has used throughout his presidency. It has corrupted large portions of our society. Yet, we have seen big corporations declare that they will not back Republicans choosing to back Trump- recognizing the complete revolution that has occurred by the public. We have also seen social media take actions to permanently ban Trump which thank God has significantly diminished his poisonous reach. So, while there is disappointment there is always hope. I say lets empower the truth and what is good in each and everyone of us and disempower all that is evil and dishonest wherever it is found.
Is the only hope that the younger Democrats in office keep their passion and independence from both the party and big money? How much chance do they have? I mean, fuck the republicans so I guess I'm a democrat, but they sure do make it hard.
Not only are your posts always great, but they are eminently readable as well. Thank you for using the Oxford comma. Perhaps your fine writing will help to bring it back into wider usage.
Yes, I feel rage and hatred toward the GOP, more toward some than others. I've recognized from day 1 of the Biden/Harris win that 2022 is completely as important as the presidential election. We cannot loose the House or Senate. I will commit to donating and volunteering. I already have a monthly donation going to my rep in Congress VA02. We will only loose democracy if people become disengaged. You are right. Also, we cannot rely on black women to keep saving us.
“ It’s part of a plan to institute a feeling of learned-helplessness among Democrats”
I would argue that the plan isn’t to institute a feeling of learned helplessness among Democrats. It’s to institute that feeling among the politically apathetic and uninvolved of both parties. Or those who have no party affiliation because they think all politics/politicians are bad.
Dems have seen that engagement and information make a difference. The GOP can only pull off whataboutism and bothsidesism with low information people who haven’t been paying attention.
I will once again say that loud, consistent public education campaigns that have concise, impactful, elegant messages and actions to back them up will go a long way to pique the interest of those who have, until now, decided that they “don’t like to talk about politics”.
Additionally, empowering those of us in the cheap seats with these messages and removing the shame we sometimes feel at our political interest, views and voice, will also help both keep us feeling useful and also start changing the conversation.
For instance, the second the media story isn’t about the cost of the Biden rescue plan and starts being more about the benefits, it’s a win. But to make that happen, the rest of us have to help make it a story. And it would be helpful if we had consistent messaging to do it.
I’m hoping that someone, somewhere is gathering the leaders of all these grassroots organizations and working with them on a messaging plan that they can all work from. Grassroots should mean how they started, not necessarily how they continue.
Dan, here’s any idea for readers eligible to vote in Arizona and West Virginia: call the offices of Senators Sinema and Manchin respectively and let them know that you want HR.1 passed and if that means abolishing the filibuster, so be it
One more thing... Stop watching Sunday shows until they stop the 'both sides' schtick. There are not both sides anymore. And those shows have become a tool to the nuts on the right. Watching them is like watching a cat play with a mouse before it goes in for the kill. They bat the host around and the host becomes the story.
Why did the Senate vote to call witnesses and then not call witnesses? Were the managers expecting the vote to fail? Were they not planning on calling that vote until Rep Beutler made her statement? It seemed so out of place after how on point they were arguing the case.
The timing of this has helped me calm down a bit. Thank you for sharing thoughts and ideas of how to energize my anger into positive work for Deomcracy.
Why is this always on the voters? I'm not disengaging because of McConnell; I'm disengaging because the Democrats just throw up their hands and say “welp nothing we can do” every.single.time.
Is there any seriousness to what McConnell said, that he can still be held liable in civil and criminal court? And then, if convicted, would that not potentially bar him from running again? Or was that just Mtich’s way of avoiding accountability for his vote to acquit?
Thank you for writing this. I am trying to focus on the fact that this was the most bipartisan impeachment in the history of the US. We have our work cut out for us. I would like to also point out that Democracy Docket does amazing work and needs suppot- Marc Elias was instrumental in the court cases before snd the election.
I am delighted to have found you. Your article was very timely. I know I am like countless number of Democrats and in fairness some Republicans, that were outraged by the events of 1/6/21. Since the siege on the Capitol, it is reported that there have been record numbers of Republicans that have left their party. There is apparently a civil war occurring in the Republican party at the moment. The battle appears to be between those who will blindly follow the party of Trump vs those who at minimum recognize the clear and present danger to our precious Democracy. I AM well aware that our Democracy has failed many through the years and historically there are a myriad of injustices that have never been reconciled. Some have lost faith and given up. However, I know of no better way to obtain justice and truth without a Democracy that respects all our voices. A Democracy that stands for the fact that this is OUR country- not "THEIR" country. I can still hear the chilling words of Trump calling out to militia groups, and more to take back "their" country. The article points to the fact that to defeat Democrats they want to render us with a feeling of helplessness. The House Managers that presented the case for prosecution could not have done more to prove Trump's guilt. It is now part of a historical record, which will be studied for years to come. The failure to indict Trump was extremely disappointing ,but he will now be facing countless charges pending before him. It is also my hope that with a new Attorney General that he will not let stand the myriad of attacks on the institutions that were meant to protect us that were so viciously attacked by Trump, This feels like a grassroots group that is motivated to take action to defend our Democracy. At age 71 I have never witnessed a more blatant attack on our Democracy then what occurred on the events of that day. It highlighted just how fragile it is and how alert we all must be to protect it at every turn- it is the thin line that will protect us from the likes of Trump now and in the future. What I know is that without Democracy there is no justice or truth that we can count on. The tools of misinformation and lies were the MO that Trump has used throughout his presidency. It has corrupted large portions of our society. Yet, we have seen big corporations declare that they will not back Republicans choosing to back Trump- recognizing the complete revolution that has occurred by the public. We have also seen social media take actions to permanently ban Trump which thank God has significantly diminished his poisonous reach. So, while there is disappointment there is always hope. I say lets empower the truth and what is good in each and everyone of us and disempower all that is evil and dishonest wherever it is found.
Is the only hope that the younger Democrats in office keep their passion and independence from both the party and big money? How much chance do they have? I mean, fuck the republicans so I guess I'm a democrat, but they sure do make it hard.
Thanks Dan, that makes feel slightly better. I will stay engaged and will continue to the organizations you listed!
Not only are your posts always great, but they are eminently readable as well. Thank you for using the Oxford comma. Perhaps your fine writing will help to bring it back into wider usage.
Thank you Dan for summarizing our outrage for us once again.
Yes, I feel rage and hatred toward the GOP, more toward some than others. I've recognized from day 1 of the Biden/Harris win that 2022 is completely as important as the presidential election. We cannot loose the House or Senate. I will commit to donating and volunteering. I already have a monthly donation going to my rep in Congress VA02. We will only loose democracy if people become disengaged. You are right. Also, we cannot rely on black women to keep saving us.
This one should be free for all to help spread the word!