Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

onecaliberal

(32,489 posts)
Sat May 4, 2019, 01:29 PM May 2019

When will we stop allowing 1/3 of America from holding us hostage?

Congressional dems can’t use their constitutional powers because it might hurt republican feelings and upset them.

We can’t impeach because it might upset them.

We can’t hold their criminal and corrupt leaders accountable because it might upset them.

We cannot safeguard our elections because it might upset them.

We can’t stop the AG from acting like a defense attorney for dumpco or weaponizing the DOJ because their delicate feelings may be hurt.

By all means, let’s keep writing those strongly worded letters and waiting for the courts they stacked to rule against us. How many will die when barr strips healthvare from EVERYONE who doesn’t have it through an employer. We can’t continue to the employ strategies of the past. There were republicans in the Nixon era who were willing to stand for American democracy. They do not exist today.

46 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
When will we stop allowing 1/3 of America from holding us hostage? (Original Post) onecaliberal May 2019 OP
When they at last remove all pretense and throw out the rule of law Brawndo May 2019 #1
"There were republicans in the Nixon era who were willing to stand for American democracy." PoliticAverse May 2019 #2
Hearings in the house should have started yesterday. Jail people who defy. Period. onecaliberal May 2019 #3
It's actually 2/3 of America madville May 2019 #4
30% is not 2/3 onecaliberal May 2019 #5
Its not 1/3 either :) madville May 2019 #6
30% of registered voters are their base. Total. onecaliberal May 2019 #8
And about the same are our base. 30% Total madville May 2019 #11
Dem base is about 45-47% onecaliberal May 2019 #12
Democrats were around 33% before the 2018 election madville May 2019 #13
Only if you include left-leaning Independents, who aren't really part of the base. TwilightZone May 2019 #28
Yep.. the "Dirty Thirty" SoCalDem May 2019 #38
If anybody can name the 20 Republican Senators Locutusofborg May 2019 #7
This is not Clinton. spanone May 2019 #9
So you don't believe we must do what the constitution says? We should just let the most criminal onecaliberal May 2019 #10
What part of "NOT GUILTY" Locutusofborg May 2019 #14
So you believe Barr's version of the mueller investigation. onecaliberal May 2019 #15
Take a deep breath Locutusofborg May 2019 #16
Impeachment is a constitutional process. If we don't impeach trump. Impeachment is only onecaliberal May 2019 #17
One more time... Locutusofborg May 2019 #18
One more time: onecaliberal May 2019 #19
I just have trouble Locutusofborg May 2019 #20
This has nothing to do with the senate. onecaliberal May 2019 #22
Ah, I see Locutusofborg May 2019 #23
I want the House of Representatives to do what the constitution says to do when a potus onecaliberal May 2019 #31
This is not a blowjob. Apples to oranges... Nevermypresident May 2019 #29
Don't need Senate to hurt Republicans post impeachment uponit7771 May 2019 #21
I'm concerned that not guilty verdict in the Senate Locutusofborg May 2019 #24
There's no history of the party of the impeached prospering after impeachment uponit7771 May 2019 #30
In a secret ballot he would be OUT...but SoCalDem May 2019 #39
when one third stops just watching. WhiteTara May 2019 #25
Lol what power do you think Congressionail Dems have? Loki Liesmith May 2019 #26
Congressional Democrats have Locutusofborg May 2019 #27
They also have the power of the purse. onecaliberal May 2019 #32
What happened to fining people? Hit them in the purse. nt UniteFightBack May 2019 #35
just lock Barr in the basement and de-fund the Justice Dept. SoCalDem May 2019 #41
If the Dems file a contempt citation Locutusofborg May 2019 #44
Bill Maher on the Democrats last night BeyondGeography May 2019 #33
since the reagan years the party turned more centrist thinking that would save us yaesu May 2019 #40
Blame your fellow citizens who are apathetic. Lord knows I was too but got dammit I always voted UniteFightBack May 2019 #34
When we control government. Vote wasupaloopa May 2019 #36
When we can GOTV on our side with the same dedication as they do with theirs Jake Stern May 2019 #37
We did vote. We won by three million. They cheated. onecaliberal May 2019 #42
We didn't turn out where it mattered. . . . in states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Jake Stern May 2019 #45
Gerrymandering. Look it up. Vote suppression, look it up. onecaliberal May 2019 #46
It's not 1/3 or even 2/3. It's less than 100 people who are holding America hostage. Initech May 2019 #43

Brawndo

(535 posts)
1. When they at last remove all pretense and throw out the rule of law
Sat May 4, 2019, 01:37 PM
May 2019

to establish an authoritarian white-christian state, that's when. I think they're close.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
2. "There were republicans in the Nixon era who were willing to stand for American democracy."
Sat May 4, 2019, 01:38 PM
May 2019

Democrats didn't have the Republican votes necessary for Nixon's impeachment before the hearings in the House started.

madville

(7,397 posts)
4. It's actually 2/3 of America
Sat May 4, 2019, 01:41 PM
May 2019

The Right of course, but the corporations and military complex are the other third which has members of both parties in it's pocket.

madville

(7,397 posts)
6. Its not 1/3 either :)
Sat May 4, 2019, 01:49 PM
May 2019

This country is 1/3 right, 1/3 left, and 1/3 corporations, that was my point. The right and the corporations make up the 2/3 against us.

madville

(7,397 posts)
11. And about the same are our base. 30% Total
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:00 PM
May 2019

The middle 40% is controlled and influenced by the media and corporate interests.

madville

(7,397 posts)
13. Democrats were around 33% before the 2018 election
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:04 PM
May 2019

Identified Republicans were in the high 20's, like 27%.

Independents are the largest voting bloc in the US.

TwilightZone

(25,342 posts)
28. Only if you include left-leaning Independents, who aren't really part of the base.
Sat May 4, 2019, 03:32 PM
May 2019

Among all adults, it's roughly 30/30/40, Ds/Rs/Is. Has been for years. Dems had a bit of a lead around the midterms, but it's since evened out a bit again.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx

Pew has it at 31/26/38, as of 2018.

https://www.people-press.org/2019/03/14/political-independents-who-they-are-what-they-think/

Among just registered voters, it was about 40/30/30 around midterm time in 2018.

https://www.axios.com/democrats-crush-republican-party-registration-2018-midterms-872f7ad2-7a3b-4f7c-97b0-8070448e2df4.html

SoCalDem

(103,856 posts)
38. Yep.. the "Dirty Thirty"
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:25 PM
May 2019

Contrarian reactionaries...their "tent" houses a loathsome bunch...racists/white nationalists, misogynists, bigots, xenophobes, homophobes. jealous, envious whiny crybabies, all.

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
7. If anybody can name the 20 Republican Senators
Sat May 4, 2019, 01:54 PM
May 2019

Who would even consider voting Trump guilty in an impeachment trial, I might then be for impeachment. Until then, I will continue to see impeachment as a symbolic act of one House of Congress that would have zero impact on the Trump presidency and might even benefit him as the Not Guilty verdict in his Senate trial benefitted President Clinton.

onecaliberal

(32,489 posts)
10. So you don't believe we must do what the constitution says? We should just let the most criminal
Sat May 4, 2019, 01:58 PM
May 2019

POTUS in history destroy the entire government unabated because they won’t vote with us? Should we apply that reasoning to defending healthcare and everything else we stand for?

On edit: The republicans GAINED SEATS in the house and senate AFTER they impeached Clinton.

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
14. What part of "NOT GUILTY"
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:06 PM
May 2019

Don’t you understand? The “impeachment” for Trump that I favor is a landslide victory at the polls in 2020 over a disgraced loser.
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute
May 2, 2019 - U.S. Voters Still Say 2-1 Trump Committed Crime, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; But Voters Oppose Impeachment 2-1

American voters say 57 - 28 percent that Donald Trump committed crimes before he became president, according to a Quinnipiac University National Poll released today.

This compares to results of a March 5 survey by the independent Quinnipia University National Poll, before release of the Mueller Report, in which voters said 64 - 24 percent that President Trump committed crimes before he was elected.

In today's survey, 46 percent of voters say Trump committed crimes since he became president and 46 percent say he did not commit crimes.

But American voters say 66 - 29 percent that Congress should not begin impeachment of President Trump. Democrats support impeachment 56 - 38 percent. Opposition to impeachment is 95 - 4 percent among Republicans and 70 - 27 percent among independent voters.

Investigating Trump distracts Congress from other national issues, 53 percent of voters say, while 43 percent say Congress can investigate Trump and work on other national issues at the same time.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller conducted a fair investigation, voters say 72 - 18 percent, including 65 - 25 percent among Republicans.

Voters say 51 - 38 percent that the Mueller Report did not clear President Trump of any wrongdoing.
https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2618

onecaliberal

(32,489 posts)
15. So you believe Barr's version of the mueller investigation.
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:15 PM
May 2019

The media has been playing Barr’s bullshit 24/7. We’ve NEVER heard from mueller and we’ve not read his report. Americans have no clue what dumpco has done to America. Oh and spare me stats from recon polling firms.
I don’t care what polls say, Americans do not know what the report says because ONLY BARR and republicans have read it. So many republican talking points, so little tome...
Impeachment hearings is how dems educated America during Nixon, it needs to happen again now if we are to survive trump.

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
16. Take a deep breath
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:24 PM
May 2019

And then ask yourself: what if the Senate DID vote Trump not guilty along strictly partisan lines:
53 votes not guilty to 47 votes for guilty. Impeachment is a political process not a criminal justice system process. What then? I want Trump damaged and disgraced not vindicated by the Senate.
The same Quinnipiac poll that I linked has Trump’s current job approval rating at a pathetic 41% approval and 55% disapproval. Not exactly biased in his favor.

onecaliberal

(32,489 posts)
17. Impeachment is a constitutional process. If we don't impeach trump. Impeachment is only
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:37 PM
May 2019

For democrats. What signal does that send through the rest of the justice system that justice is only for us little people. I hear you, I just disagree. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything, just look at republicans.

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
18. One more time...
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:43 PM
May 2019

and if an impeachment trial finds Trump not guilty, what then? We all know how Trump would spin vindication by the Senate as he runs for reelection.
President Clinton received his highest ever job approval rating the week of the Bill ofImpeachment passing in the House.

onecaliberal

(32,489 posts)
19. One more time:
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:48 PM
May 2019

Republicans GAINED seats in both the senate and the house AFTER they impeached Clinton.

On edit: This isn’t about a blow job, it’s about national security, fair and just elections, and democracy itself.

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
20. I just have trouble
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:55 PM
May 2019

With the thought of putting the future of the nation in the hands of 20 Republican Senators to not play politics. 67 guilty votes is an extremely high bar to reach. I’m not 100% sure that every Democrat in the Senate would vote Trump guilty (Joe Manchin, WV?)

onecaliberal

(32,489 posts)
22. This has nothing to do with the senate.
Sat May 4, 2019, 02:58 PM
May 2019

I would venture to say most of the republicans are funded by Russia through the NRA. They’re not going to put their own necks on the line. What do you stand for? Are we a nation of laws, or are they just for brown/black/poor/women?

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
23. Ah, I see
Sat May 4, 2019, 03:12 PM
May 2019

You want an impeachment bill passed by the House. But that necessitates a Senate trial where Trump is most likely to be found not guilty.

onecaliberal

(32,489 posts)
31. I want the House of Representatives to do what the constitution says to do when a potus
Sat May 4, 2019, 03:53 PM
May 2019

Commits crimes. Televised hearings. America will watch. They will hear from mueller himself and those who investigated. All of the details that no one knows.

I don’t recall the oath of office saying you’ll only support and defend the constitution if republicans agree with you.

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
24. I'm concerned that not guilty verdict in the Senate
Sat May 4, 2019, 03:15 PM
May 2019

would help Trump win reelection. If the House impeaches, there MUST be a Senate trial where 20 Republicans would be needed to join with every Democrat to find Trump guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors.

uponit7771

(90,225 posts)
30. There's no history of the party of the impeached prospering after impeachment
Sat May 4, 2019, 03:51 PM
May 2019

... None

Clinton grew in popularity book The Democratic party did not gain control of anything after Clinton's impeachment ...
Lost in 2000 too

The party of the impeached never fare as well after impeachment

SoCalDem

(103,856 posts)
39. In a secret ballot he would be OUT...but
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:27 PM
May 2019

since they have to state in public, their preference, they are too scared of "being tweeted at" and they know that the cretins THEY count on for votes, would vote them out, they will never let the trumpster down

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
27. Congressional Democrats have
Sat May 4, 2019, 03:27 PM
May 2019

1) Impeachment power in the House
2) Subpoena power
3) Contempt of Congress power
4) Inherent contempt power which allows them to order the House Sergeant-at-arms to arrest any person who defies a congressional subpoena.

SoCalDem

(103,856 posts)
41. just lock Barr in the basement and de-fund the Justice Dept.
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:30 PM
May 2019

until he testifies..

LIke Bill Maher said.. In a gunfight, Dems bring knives..repubs bring rocket launchers..

WE have to step it up and prove that we will fight them.. Just giving them more chances/deadlines will not work

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
44. If the Dems file a contempt citation
Sat May 4, 2019, 10:31 PM
May 2019

And a federal judge rules in their favor, the judge can impose jail or a fine per day until the subpoena is complied with.

BeyondGeography

(39,284 posts)
33. Bill Maher on the Democrats last night
Sat May 4, 2019, 04:08 PM
May 2019

“You’re playing monopoly with a hyena. When it bites you and shits on the board, saying, ‘It’s not your turn,’ doesn’t really work.”

It’s more than Trump; our messaging has sucked since Reagan. I think we should have treated the last 40 years as a brawl. Our opponents certainly have. Maybe that’s why they always punch above their weight.

yaesu

(8,020 posts)
40. since the reagan years the party turned more centrist thinking that would save us
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:30 PM
May 2019

but all it did is get us deeper in the rabbit hole. Lets hope we continue to go back to our progressive roots.

 

UniteFightBack

(8,231 posts)
34. Blame your fellow citizens who are apathetic. Lord knows I was too but got dammit I always voted
Sat May 4, 2019, 04:13 PM
May 2019

and got dammit I would like to think if this shit was going on back when I was not paying attention....I WOULD OF.

Jake Stern

(3,145 posts)
37. When we can GOTV on our side with the same dedication as they do with theirs
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:15 PM
May 2019

That 1/3 of Americans you're griping about are very reliable voters. They are the ones who double check their registrations each election year. They're the ones who make sure they have their ID in order.

It was drilled into their heads from childhood that voting wasn't just a right, it was a civic duty like serving on a jury. One of the benefits of required civics classes.

I know a couple who have voted in each election since they became old enough - even when they were stationed in a remote village in Africa as missionaries way back in the 70's.

Yet we can't goad our young people to get off Instagram and Tik Tok long enough to even fill out a mail-in ballot.





Initech

(99,915 posts)
43. It's not 1/3 or even 2/3. It's less than 100 people who are holding America hostage.
Sat May 4, 2019, 09:23 PM
May 2019

And they're doing it in the name of more fucking money. So they're putting us against each other while they run off with all the money.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»When will we stop allowin...