General Discussion

Cirsium

(3,894 posts)

194. They were never ours

Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:11 PM

Feb 6

That is a great insight. People who don't vote or don't vote Democratic are not Democrats. There is no other way to define Democratic. We can't know that Nader or Stein voters would have voted Democratic if those third party candidates had not been on the ballot. We do know that in the 2000 election and in the 2024 election many people who had previously voted Democratic voted Republican, far more people than voted third party.

We don't own anyone's vote. Those votes need to be won.

Ironically, there is probably no more loyal Democratic party constituency in the country than DU members, yet here we are being lectured about loyalty. I have voted for every Democrat in every election for over 50 years. I have never voted for any Republican. I have never voted for a Republican side of a referendum issue nor any Republican recommended judicial candidate. I am sure there are many others here for whom this is true.

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I'm So Disappointed with Schumer and Jeffries. They Don't Agree with Me 100%. [View all] MineralMan Feb 5 OP

Well played. Permanut Feb 5 #1

Absolutely! FalloutShelter Feb 5 #14

What are we playing? Own the libs? Ilikepurple Feb 5 #111

Please define critical discussion mcar Feb 5 #123

It's not this response. I imagined something closer to the discussion you and Cirsium had below. Ilikepurple Feb 6 #168

Excellent post. Orrex Feb 6 #207

Post removed Post removed Feb 5 #164

I agree LetMyPeopleVote Feb 6 #180

abolish ICE is not gonna happen and it is a bad look. there are some things I would like to see happen msongs Feb 5 #2

OK, did Shumer and Jeffries meet that minimum? Escurumbele Feb 5 #50

Seems to me they have mcar Feb 5 #124

Mahalo for Link, mcar... Turns out this is my fave Cha Feb 6 #177

Already bending on masks. we can do it Feb 5 #163

Nope mcar Feb 5 #166

Also stop the roving kidnap patrols sboatcar Feb 5 #71

Well done. sheshe2 Feb 5 #3

They're hiding under the couch hoping GOP unpopularity will propel them to majority. Won't work. 617Blue Feb 5 #4

This message was self-deleted by its author Gore1FL Feb 5 #12

People keep forgetting we have a MINORITY STATUS in Congress Just_Vote_Dem Feb 5 #5

You're right. If we don't understand that, MineralMan Feb 5 #7

The solution is not to roll over hoping for a belly scratch.. NT Gore1FL Feb 5 #15

Sorry that doesn't hold water LearnedHand Feb 5 #136

When did "Republicans grind Congress to a halt" when they were out of power? lapucelle Feb 6 #214

Abolish ICE Prairie Gates Feb 5 #6

Great Idea. Now...How do you do that in reality? MineralMan Feb 5 #8

Abolish ICE Prairie Gates Feb 5 #9

You already said that. It's a great idea. MineralMan Feb 5 #11

Abolish ICE Prairie Gates Feb 5 #13

So you got nothing. beaglelover Feb 5 #20

Abolish ICE Prairie Gates Feb 5 #22

In two words. MineralMan Feb 5 #24

Abolish ICE Prairie Gates Feb 5 #26

I want a pony. tritsofme Feb 5 #64

Abolish ICE Prairie Gates Feb 5 #66

I want TWO ponies! tritsofme Feb 5 #84

Abolish ICE Prairie Gates Feb 5 #94

huh? Cirsium Feb 5 #117

Imagine thinking antifascism is wanting a pony! Prairie Gates Feb 5 #139

When I started hearing that "pony" nonsense Cirsium Feb 5 #142

The same supposed realists now asking how many mask wearing fascists should be allowed Prairie Gates Feb 5 #145

Naming reality clearly Cirsium Feb 5 #152

Abolish ICE is a performative slogan, not an actual policy demand. tritsofme Feb 6 #191

I agree - slogans aren't policy Cirsium Feb 6 #198

+1 leftstreet Feb 6 #205

What I'm objecting to is the imposition of impossible demands aimed at Democratic politicians tritsofme Feb 6 #208

Thanks Cirsium Feb 6 #212

I'm not disagreeing with that in theory. I'm saying that people who typically use this rhetoric behave as if it's tritsofme Feb 7 #221

Yes, indeed Cirsium Feb 7 #222

Not really. Just "pull the plug" basically. FoxNewsSucks Feb 5 #41

Well, then they can scream that Schumer/Jeffries "caved" mcar Feb 5 #126

My idea? JustAnotherGen Feb 5 #29

Use the Senate rules to stop ICE funding. Gore1FL Feb 5 #19

Both of my Senators would vote that way. MineralMan Feb 5 #23

No help from my Senators, unfortunately calguy Feb 5 #90

So using your voice to influence legislators is okay or not? Ilikepurple Feb 5 #103

Neither would. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are into white nationalism. Gore1FL Feb 5 #149

+1 GOP poll numbers make them vulnerable leftstreet Feb 5 #25

I'm going beyond that JustAnotherGen Feb 5 #30

That's the bottom line Prairie Gates Feb 5 #38

ICE has already been funded, it will continue to operate during a shutdown, and... W_HAMILTON Feb 5 #33

probably, but instead of rolling belly up, Dems should MAKE tRump do that. FoxNewsSucks Feb 5 #43

Who is "rolling belly up?" nt mcar Feb 5 #128

We do it when we have a trifect JustAnotherGen Feb 5 #56

That's a nice idea, but a Sinema/Manchin/Fetterman/LIEbermann du jour FoxNewsSucks Feb 5 #161

So, They have money now and if we try to stop them from getting more... Gore1FL Feb 5 #100

Vote against funding ICE for starters iemanja Feb 5 #63

It starts with advocacy Cirsium Feb 5 #77

In reality, the next president can just issue intheflow Feb 5 #91

Missed the point, again, I see. Gore1FL Feb 5 #10

No, I did not. I missed nothing. MineralMan Feb 5 #18

So the intention is to gaslight? Gore1FL Feb 5 #98

OK Cirsium Feb 5 #118

Is constantly bashing Schumer/Jeffries, mcar Feb 5 #129

"Bashing" vs accountability Cirsium Feb 5 #132

He did not miss the point. murielm99 Feb 5 #79

I didn't know the point of DU was to cower in the corner. Gore1FL Feb 5 #101

I'm a purist when it comes to fascist gangs kidnapping and murdering people in the street Prairie Gates Feb 5 #141

If I ignored your bashing, murielm99 Feb 6 #170

WTF? Gore1FL Feb 6 #173

This is true. mcar Feb 6 #202

Sooooo when elected Dems want to grease the skids for FoxNewsSucks Feb 5 #162

Don't try to put words in my mouth murielm99 Feb 6 #171

See the question marks? that's NOT FoxNewsSucks Feb 6 #174

I'm also sick of the "bashing" BS. It feels facile and counterproductive. Ilikepurple Feb 6 #178

Well said! beaglelover Feb 5 #16

ICE hasn't been around that long, it was a fascist invention just like the debt ceiling, we can be the go along party or yaesu Feb 5 #17

What sort of fighting are you talking about? MineralMan Feb 5 #21

I would argue that there are "turning points" in between elections Ilikepurple Feb 5 #115

This point would have been arguable decades ago FHRRK Feb 5 #27

+1 leftstreet Feb 5 #78

It's very frustrating. Quiet Em Feb 5 #28

Dividing the Democratic Party is key. Targeting customized anti-Democratic attacks to fit. betsuni Feb 5 #36

Bingo! mcar Feb 5 #130

This thread MorbidButterflyTat Feb 6 #172

Nonsense Cirsium Feb 5 #31

"People can disagree with leadership and still be loyal Democrats." W_HAMILTON Feb 5 #34

I strongly question that Cirsium Feb 5 #40

As a progressive myself, i am cleaning up my own house here. W_HAMILTON Feb 5 #44

Out of line Cirsium Feb 5 #76

I'm not sure what cleaning house means other than resolving to silence progressive voices Ilikepurple Feb 5 #119

When people like myself were telling everyone the dangers of Trump back in 2016... W_HAMILTON Feb 6 #215

And again, everyone here did vote for those people. Scrivener7 Feb 5 #148

Why do you question that? MineralMan Feb 5 #46

Of course Cirsium Feb 5 #80

"No single raindrop thinks it's responsible for the flood." W_HAMILTON Feb 5 #104

Democrat Party? MineralMan Feb 5 #97

Hardly Cirsium Feb 5 #107

Yes, supporting and voting for the Democratic candidate is a loyalty test here. W_HAMILTON Feb 6 #216

There we go Cirsium Feb 6 #217

Agree--I'm so tired of being accused of not being a loyal Democrat if I disagree with leadership on occasion crimycarny Feb 5 #54

Not having majorities in the House and Senate 3825-87867 Feb 5 #93

FYI SocialDemocrat61 Feb 5 #112

Yep Cirsium Feb 6 #186

You're telling Mineral Man to stop with the purity tests? mcar Feb 5 #131

Correct Cirsium Feb 5 #133

And those bashing Schumer/Jeffries aren't? mcar Feb 5 #134

I agree with that Cirsium Feb 5 #140

A. You invoked purity mcar Feb 5 #144

I know Cirsium Feb 5 #151

Thank you Cirsium! mcar Feb 5 #153

Thank you! Cirsium Feb 5 #154

Come on angrychair Feb 5 #32

My answer has to do with only one thing - Elections. MineralMan Feb 5 #35

Yes we need to vote D. We also need to inspire nonvoters to do so. we can do it Feb 5 #39

No one person will meet 100% of any persons requirements. 1WorldHope Feb 5 #52

"Plump bump" Seinan Sensei Feb 5 #59

The full title is plump bump on my rump😎 1WorldHope Feb 5 #68

And I don't think criticizing leadership on certain issues equates to wanting 100% crimycarny Feb 5 #160

"VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS! EVERY LAST F-ING TIME! NOTHING LESS WILL DO." I agree with that--- Jack Valentino Feb 5 #167

Understood Cirsium Feb 6 #199

If we do not win the elections, we do not have the majority MineralMan Feb 6 #200

Agreed! Cirsium Feb 6 #201

I do not know the factors that decide elections, frankly. MineralMan Feb 6 #204

Good post Cirsium Feb 6 #213

Abolish ICE we can do it Feb 5 #37

Yeah, that Got Us So Far in 2016 and 2024 Cha Feb 5 #42

These 2 are not meeting the moment, end of story dsp3000 Feb 5 #45

I see. And I should be listening to you because... MineralMan Feb 5 #47

The Author Didn't Say You Should. It's A Declarative, Not An Imperative. ColoringFool Feb 5 #106

You made a post. The poster replied. How is their action more deserving of a snide dismissal than yours is? Scrivener7 Feb 5 #135

Not even 95%! hay rick Feb 5 #48

Just so. MineralMan Feb 5 #49

Exactly. betsuni Feb 5 #67

legislators Cirsium Feb 6 #187

Different constituents will have different messages. hay rick Feb 6 #192

Maybe Cirsium Feb 6 #195

This message was self-deleted by its author hadEnuf Feb 5 #51

The only way to avoid disappointment is to lack principles. Renew Deal Feb 5 #53

Politicians doing politics, governing. No! True saviors MAKE evil disappear with magic FIGHTING to MEET THE MOMENT. betsuni Feb 5 #55

Some of the posts on here are damn nasty. MorbidButterflyTat Feb 6 #175

What I want to see. . . . BigDemVoter Feb 5 #57

The Trick Is to Get That Majority in Congress. MineralMan Feb 5 #69

Vote as one, yes Cirsium Feb 6 #189

THANK YOU! MorbidButterflyTat Feb 5 #58

Most of us care about standing up to fascism iemanja Feb 5 #60

Um. If 24 Republicans voted against a bill that only 7 Democrats voted for, there is no way it passed. Wiz Imp Feb 5 #73

You're right iemanja Feb 5 #99

Yeah. Don't vote. That'll show them. CountMyVote4Reality Feb 5 #61

Who is saying don't vote? we can do it Feb 5 #165

No one Cirsium Feb 6 #190

Vote in the Democratic primaries and vote for Progressive Democratic candidates! Clouds Passing Feb 5 #62

Please point to ANYONE saying they won't vote aocommunalpunch Feb 5 #65

Anyone saying they won't vote is not here on DU. MineralMan Feb 5 #70

Talk to them, then Cirsium Feb 6 #197

Insisting on political purity is what defeats Democratic candidates . love_katz Feb 5 #72

This message was self-deleted by its author orangecrush Feb 5 #74

Recommended. H2O Man Feb 5 #75

Agree completely. cksmithy Feb 5 #81

Elections have consequences. love_katz Feb 5 #82

. Zelda_Orchid Feb 5 #83

I don't berate some for being upset, especially the current situation with ICE. mdbl Feb 5 #85

We're the minority party. Where's the advantage? QueerDuck Feb 5 #95

Did you miss the part where the Senate can't pass the ICE portion without Democrats? mdbl Feb 5 #113

Everyone has reasons for supporting or not supporting the politicians that are elected to represent them. Nanjeanne Feb 5 #86

This is an awesome post. Scrivener7 Feb 5 #137

Thanks. It's just how I feel. Nanjeanne Feb 5 #159

here's my deal quakerboy Feb 5 #87

It's more about people being tired of those who think performative resistance Rob H. Feb 5 #88

I am reminded of a line in Amiri Baraka's poem... NNadir Feb 5 #89

They were never ours Cirsium Feb 6 #194

With respect to your last line, it's true for me. NNadir Feb 6 #210

Yes! You speak for me! They should just IGNORE that we're the MINORITY party... QueerDuck Feb 5 #92

I think that may be the biggest straw man I've seen all week. Iggo Feb 5 #96

Well, ya know, shit's not going to stir itself. Someone's gotta do it. Scrivener7 Feb 5 #138

I agree. BannonsLiver Feb 5 #102

How Is Agreeing To Masks Making "No Masks" "Possible To.... ColoringFool Feb 5 #105

Bruce Springsteen - STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS Emile Feb 5 #108

Reality is sometimes hard to accept Progressive dog Feb 5 #109

I Would Like A Positive Example Of When Compromise With Republicans Has Helped Achieve... ColoringFool Feb 5 #110

A straw man. Nice. themaguffin Feb 5 #114

As others have correctly pointed out, this is a straw man fallacy. De-rec. nt Celerity Feb 5 #116

How so? It seems we'll reasoned and right on target. QueerDuck Feb 5 #121

this part: Celerity Feb 5 #156

This message was self-deleted by its author QueerDuck Feb 5 #157

It's a truthful parody of the ridiculous complains and... QueerDuck Feb 5 #158

But is it a strawman? MorbidButterflyTat Feb 6 #176

It's neither. Only those who felt insecure or threatened when forced to look in the mirror... QueerDuck Feb 6 #181

Parody is always risky in a public discussion. MineralMan Feb 6 #211

Waiting for permission from the future Cirsium Feb 5 #120

Why aren't they impeaching Trump RIGHT NOW!!11 mcar Feb 5 #122

Apparently they are lazy and too old... QueerDuck Feb 5 #143

Spineless, Turd Wayers mcar Feb 5 #146

OMG! 🤣😂🤣😂😜 QueerDuck Feb 6 #182

I don't agree with Schumer and Jeffries 100% of the time SocialDemocrat61 Feb 5 #125

RESCIND bdamomma Feb 5 #127

🪄🧙‍♂️🔮🧚‍♀️ It's so easy. Just do it. QueerDuck Feb 5 #147

I understand that the Democratic leadership markodochartaigh Feb 5 #150

I am regularly disappointed in both of those guys. MontanaMama Feb 5 #155

I'm still at a loss who this is directed at as obviously almost all of us vote Democrat Ilikepurple Feb 6 #169

Why post a divisive and insulting OP? PufPuf23 Feb 6 #179

Yes, you're right. They should keep doing exactly what they're doing. Orrex Feb 6 #183

Thank you, Orrex. hamsterjill Feb 6 #184

Oh, my God. I love this. Scrivener7 Feb 6 #185

I edited my reply to Orrex hamsterjill Feb 6 #193

Great post! Deserves a valentine heart 💝 Emile Feb 6 #188

K & R Emile Feb 6 #196

+1 leftstreet Feb 6 #206

The piling on by some is embarrassing. I'm hoping it's mostly trolls or bots Greybnk48 Feb 6 #203

No trolls or bots Cirsium Feb 6 #218

My hope is that you are right (about this sort of bashing and disagreement being healthy discourse Greybnk48 Feb 6 #219

I hear you Cirsium Feb 6 #220

I don't like it when they support Trump n GOP NAZIs Kid Berwyn Feb 6 #209