The Sisyphean Democrats

Pelosi raises a lot of money. Chuck Schumer talks a lot of good game with every Republican Party foul. And? As leaders, where is the party at? Celebrating a House victory that is, by and large, not the doing of Pelosi by trying to silence any media or partygoer who wants her tonexit the stage. And that Senate? Still controlled by that sick old white man comfortable with his suppression and stall tactics. These folks are chummy. The lack of imagination amongst Democrats is a problem, and has been. The party and the media cannot imagine wielding itself over to a younger generation of Congress, and the excuse has been: these two know how to grease the wheels. Dems are just being sexist. Ah, the self implosion in which it’s easier to hurl out accusations of prejudice than to fathom a counter-narrative that thinks about the citizens and their views of Congress.

All of this talk about having a choice excludes 1) Voters who voted for new generation Dems in droves, and 2) Future possible vote flippers (like soy bean farmers who are falling out of love with Trump; suburban white women who realize Republicans want to keep them subdued with healthcare takeaways; tax hound who realize the tax cuts, in actuality, are not helping the economy; factory workers still limited in work; and anyone given the space to reflect upon what lies Trump has had that are impacting their daily lives).

As the Party for Inclusion, Democrats sure are trying to bounce out any critics. 

What exactly have these Democratic leaders accomplished as counters to Trump to warrant continuation? They bite back, but their teeth marks fade quickly. They run towards the distractions rather than be headstrong enough to see past smoke bombs.

For this speakership election: What culpability did Pelosi take in the Democratic Fall of 2016? Pelosi is a powerful woman, so we are not supposed to ask for someone else? Why? Article after article insinuates or outright states calls for No Pelosi as sexist. This is the Dems defeating themselves with a dull wit. I would love for a more middle-class, suburban, minority woman Speaker. I speak for myself, as a social-welfare conscious, civil rights protectant progressive with a desire for a highly functioning bi-partisan government. We need a media savvy floor general, and Pelosi is not the only answer. 

We need a leader who will reach the moderate Conservative—not those serving, but those who are to be served—citizens. I’m talking about about those not wearing prejudices as honor badges; there are many who vote based off party and personality and party. Yes, party! I have met plenty of Conservatives in my life who desire some of the same things I do—equal pay; living wages; less military spending; more benefits to vets; a working healthcare system; racial and gender equality. 

There is no reason a lawmaker cannot craft a law that protects a woman and an insurer. There is no reason we cannot regulate business practices without harming profit or quality. We can work on the maintenance of the Second Amendment, protecting hunters and homeowners—and school children and houses of worship. 

We need someone fearless of the sound bites—who can express nuances. We need someone who can work to get Americans safe and secure.

Democrats need an imagination and a conviction that the right choice is not based on playing chess against Republicans, but to make a choice based on what the US constituents desire from Congress. The agenda should not be based on thwarting Trump (he is self-destructive; the best longview way to hurt him is to ignore him and his megalomania), but in listening to and creating policies for Americans and hammering that message in. Trump and McConnell will fall in the process—because Americans are catching on. Every day. To pretend that criticism against Pelosi’s run in the House has not had major blowbacks for the party are dangerous.

Citizens want more diversity. The young want more diversity. We are not asking for a man—I am not. We are asking for options—not just for the speakership, but for how politicians see the voters’ role in who our leaders are and what we want from their privileged through our election power.