I'm tired of seeing Democrats trying to be the "adults" on the scene while the Republicans demonize teachers, public employees, climate change scientists, liberals, feminists or anyone who is thinking for our country over the long term. I'm not denouncing their tactics, I denounce our side for letting them walk all over us. They have studied well the works of Abbie Hoffman and Saul Alinsky and utilized them to disrupt congressional district meetings while the Democratic representative wrings his or her hands. They drag the country down a rathole in an unnecessary war that turns out so bad that they lose Congress. Only to have the Democrats say that impeachment is "off the table". They go into budget talks with the Vice President saying that everything is on the table. He agrees. Except it's not. Taxes are off. And that's ok with the Dems. They vote to end Medicare as we know it and give the Dems a big issue, then Steny Hoyer, Dem minority whip says, well, changes are in order.
The Republicans are giving the Democrats no respect. Republicans are taking the traditional bargaining stance. Buy low, Sell high. They come into the game totally denouncing any policy, proposal, nomination and they present a united front. This is intimidating to people, and it sure intimidates the Democrats. So they are more timid and take less forthright positions. And the result is win-win. For the Republicans.
So the Democrats agree to extend tax breaks to the millionaires, don't prosecute the torturers, don't regulate wall street.
So what can we do? There is a definite advantage to the word "No."
Rosa Parks said it to a bus driver. Edward R. Murrow said it to McCarthy. Ronald Reagan said it to the Air Traffic Controllers. John Murtha said it to the Iraq war. This was a powerful message and changed people's perspective.
If you go to Mexico or the Middle East and don't bargain, you aren't respected. Unless you can say no, you'll get taken. Say NO, Mr. President. Say NO, Congress.
You'll get attention.
When Paul Ryan presented his plan to gut Medicare, he was saying NO. And he was called heroic. When Obama lightly chastised Congress in his press conference comparing them to his children, he was called a "dick" on national TV.
Just say NO to these people! You'll get no respect otherwise.