I’m speaking about Congress, of course. What is behind their baffling, bizarre behavior? I have read lots of theories. All of it speculation because no one in authority is talking. Or we are not listening? So this is a diary compiling the theories I’ve come across. And I’m asking
- Does anyone have proof one or more are is correct?
- Regardless of the reason, the Democratic Congress is not doing what progressives want. What organization(s) is/are pursuing a strategy to target our Democratic enemies in Congress?
Note: This diary speaks of Congress as an entity instead of individual members or even factions within Congress. (Is this "Congress-ism"?) But I’m addressing its overall ineffectiveness. When it comes time for action (see below) it will be time to take names.
Updates: When originally published, I had 8 excuses listed. Since then, I've expanded the list to 12.
My List
Please add to the list with additional theories, or offer examples or other proof that shows how one or more are correct.
- They are spineless. This is a popular comment here. They are so afraid of the "weak on terrorism" label that they rush to out-do the Republicans in supporting the war, torture and spying on Americans. This is a losing strategy, of course, because no Democrat can out-do the crazy-assed, Jack Bauer believing Republicans.
- They are stupid. Also popular here, this view is that Democrats are constantly out-maneuvered (as in the last minute FISA update), or they keep coming up with ineffective or losing strategies. The bill to define water-boarding as torture is a timely example. The theory is, the bill is a bad idea because
- It implies that past water-boarding was legal, giving a legal defense to those who tortured in our names.
- If such a bill is passed, it is inconceivable that Congress would be able to override the certain veto. A failed or vetoed bill would give legal defense to future torture.
- By defining specific methods as torture, methods not mentioned become legal.
- There is ample legal precedent that water-boarding is illegal. We sentenced several Japanese to 15 years for water torture following WW II.
- They need a super majority (60 Senate seats). This excuse is used to explain inaction, such as why they can't pass a funding resolution with a timetable for withdrawal. But it's also ignored for things like the Mukasey confirmation.
- Blackmail. NSA spying on Congress has gathered evidence of wrong doing that is being used as blackmail. This theory seems to be complete speculation. I’ve never read of any evidence this is true. OTOH, would one ever expect to read this in the papers?
- Guilty themselves of supporting the Administration’s illegal activities, if they prosecute, their complicity will be revealed. A variant of the NSA blackmail theory, but in this case, their actions, or inaction to stop illegal Administration activities, condemns them. Their vote to go to war, despite widely available evidence of the Administration’s propaganda was their first offense. And once on the wrong side, they have been unable to break free, Edwards’ mea culpa being one of few exceptions. Or as MantisOahu put it: "I am now convinced that all of this crap from the democrats is not cowardice ... no, this is about the evidence (they have to have overwhelming evidence that we don't even know about). the evidence that beyond a reasonable doubt proves that treason occured, they know the real reasons why we into iraq, they know more about the dereliction of duty in bush not reacting to a top security memo advising that the country is under imminent attack and on and on and on.
treason, lying the country into war and killing thousands of american kids and maiming thousands more, not to mention the iraqis killed and displaced. continuing in a reckless way to put our nation in mortal danger. people throughout history have swung for crimes like these. the dems do not want to touch the war crimes of this administration with a 10 foot pole. that is why they let him get away with it. i can not think of another reason."
Certainly, DiFi has known about illegal wire-tapping for a long time. Does she continue to carry Bush’s water because she realizes that if Bush were ever prosecuted, she would be next in line for prosecution?
- The Jack Bauer frame. They have bought ABC's storyline that the ends justify the means. Security trumps freedom. Spying, torture, war, are all justified if they have any chance of preventing a terrorist attack here. Republicans, of course, believe this. I saw Bill Orally, offer to water-board Code Pink over their anti-torture protests. Under this theory, Democrats in Congress have bought these ideas too. Privacy is a "quaint" concept in the 21st century. So under this theory, DiFi is pro spying on Americans and torture in the name of "the public good".
- They want the unitary executive for
themselves Hillary. HRC, the Dem front runner, hasn’t to my knowledge vowed to undo Cheney’s unitary executive. What then are the prospects for eliminating spying on Americans? Or Torture?
- Democrats and Republicans are both working for the military-industrial complex. Republicans generally believe that America should be government of the corporations, by the corporations and for the corporations. Under this theory, Democrats are also bought and paid for by corporate lobbyists. America has become something akin to the cold war communist states, with multiple parties, but different in name only. In this theory, DLC types Steny Hoyer, Harry Reid, et al, are the real powers in Congress. Nancy Pelosi is either in with them or an anti-war figurehead.
- Bush has bought their loyalty. Others have claimed here that DiFi's husband has seen his net worth double to obscene levels due to defense contracts awarded to his companies.
- It’s political kabuki, playing the victim to the evil Republicans to ensure a Democratic sweep in 08. This seems to be the latest theory. Under it, Democrats make a big deal of a Republican outrage to inflame the public, then capitulate to make the outrage permanent.
- They're afraid Bush will go Musharraf. They are afraid to back these mad dogs into a corner, for fear of giving them an excuse for another "terrorist attack" or "national emergency" wherein they can declare martial law and Bush becomes Presdient for life. (Thank you downpuppy & rhetoricus.)
- The fix is in. They know Bush plans to invade Iran next summer. So, while they might be able to make some political points now, Republicans will sweep anti-war Democrats aside once we are involved in a fresh war.
- AIPAC and other Israeli supporters are controlling Democrats. Perhaps the most controversial topic here, certainly AIPAC is a powerful lobbyist organization, and Harry Reid and Steny Hoyer are both top 10 recipients.
What’s your theory? Can you add to the list? Can you provide links to back up these theories?
So what?
All of these theories have one thing in common. I don’t see any that are morally defensible. None are proper justification for Democrats’ inability to turn things around, despite having control of both houses of Congress. Whether they’re spineless, stupid, misguided, criminals, power hungry, DINOs, or Machiavellian, or any combination there of, I do not want them to have any part in running my country. I don’t want them representing me.
If progressives want change, we must first clean our own house. Let the DSCC recruit more moderate Democratic candidates to run against Republicans. Progressives need to concentrate on better democrats. We will be much more effective putting our efforts into primarying pro-war Democrats, than trying to elect progressives to replace Republicans. And certainly electing "moderate" (corporatist) Democrats does nthing for progressives. Even a 60 seat majority in the Senate will not get us anywhere if half of those 60 seats are DLC types.
If either Hillary or Barack is our next president, we will need a progressive Congress to counterbalance their initiatives. And if Edwards were to win, he will need a progressive Congress to be able to move his agenda forward.
So my question is, what progressive organizations are targeting Democrats for primarying? Who has built a list of targets? Who has identified the vulnerable among them? Who is raising money, finding candidates, etc? I understand DailyKos is a big tent Democratic site. So I guess it’s appropriate to read here, "So-and-so is pretty progressive, other than his/her views on the war". I don’t see DailyKos leading this fight. I just want to use this forum to gather input, because I’m tired of writing and reading "ain’t it awlful" diaries and comments.