SevMax2
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2019
- Posts
- 6,264
As a progressive/populist, I'm aware that many of us are seen as unrealistic dreamers, but that's not the truth at all. What we are is willing to fight for what we want. Yes, there are limits, especially with a Senate GOP majority, a Speaker who sucks up to Wall Street, and a President-elect who has vowed that "nothing will fundamentally change." That doesn't mean that you give up on anything beyond incremental change.
So, what can be done?
Well, there are things that Biden can do by executive order, but that has both practical and constitutional limits. What he can do is prove us wrong about his ability to schmooze just enough Republicans and pry them loose from Mitch McConnell to get a few tie-breaking votes and make damn sure that Kamala isn't bought off to vote the wrong way. On stimulus. On a living wage. On a public option, if at all possible.
But, realistically, it will require the efforts of a larger progressive caucus that will be a larger percentage of a shrunken House Democratic majority (unlike in 2018, progressives outperformed moderates this time around), a takeover by these progressives of key leadership roles in the caucus, a mobilized union and youth presence on the streets, and state, local action by Governors, legislatures, mayors, etc. to enact progressive proposals where they have the votes. The sad state of Democratic down ballot elections will make that harder, but there were some victories.
Roy Cooper being re-elected as Governor of North Carolina is one key example of that. As Governor, he has a veto pen and he has whatever budget the legislature votes him. Without a line-item veto, though, it's gonna be tougher for him than most governors nationwide. But the veto pen can be a cudgel used to pressure Republican legislators to meet him halfway at least.
There is no excuse for Governors like Gavin Newsom and Ralph Northam, with supermajorities on their side in the legislatures, not to get more done for their constituents. The Republican parties in both states are running on fumes and barely exist at a statewide level. This is a golden opportunity to shine by pushing through rent-control, eviction bans, unionization of workplaces, and a more progressive tax code. Maybe even a state public option in the Golden State.
But i'm not holding my breath, because they're more interested in symbolic than substantive reforms, definitely not on economics, to put it mildly. They need to be primaried and pressured until they yield. If the Feds won't dole out more, tax the rich a bit more. They are still vastly undertaxed, even in California. They can and will pay more to contribute to a society that helped them acquire wealth in the first place. To whom much is given, much is also required.
So, what can be done?
Well, there are things that Biden can do by executive order, but that has both practical and constitutional limits. What he can do is prove us wrong about his ability to schmooze just enough Republicans and pry them loose from Mitch McConnell to get a few tie-breaking votes and make damn sure that Kamala isn't bought off to vote the wrong way. On stimulus. On a living wage. On a public option, if at all possible.
But, realistically, it will require the efforts of a larger progressive caucus that will be a larger percentage of a shrunken House Democratic majority (unlike in 2018, progressives outperformed moderates this time around), a takeover by these progressives of key leadership roles in the caucus, a mobilized union and youth presence on the streets, and state, local action by Governors, legislatures, mayors, etc. to enact progressive proposals where they have the votes. The sad state of Democratic down ballot elections will make that harder, but there were some victories.
Roy Cooper being re-elected as Governor of North Carolina is one key example of that. As Governor, he has a veto pen and he has whatever budget the legislature votes him. Without a line-item veto, though, it's gonna be tougher for him than most governors nationwide. But the veto pen can be a cudgel used to pressure Republican legislators to meet him halfway at least.
There is no excuse for Governors like Gavin Newsom and Ralph Northam, with supermajorities on their side in the legislatures, not to get more done for their constituents. The Republican parties in both states are running on fumes and barely exist at a statewide level. This is a golden opportunity to shine by pushing through rent-control, eviction bans, unionization of workplaces, and a more progressive tax code. Maybe even a state public option in the Golden State.
But i'm not holding my breath, because they're more interested in symbolic than substantive reforms, definitely not on economics, to put it mildly. They need to be primaried and pressured until they yield. If the Feds won't dole out more, tax the rich a bit more. They are still vastly undertaxed, even in California. They can and will pay more to contribute to a society that helped them acquire wealth in the first place. To whom much is given, much is also required.
