Video showing how divided Congress has become
Video showing how divided Congress has become
The parties used to work together, it was unthinkable to not compromise for their constituents. Today we hear politicians talk as if it would be treason to work with members from the other side.
There is no both sides in this either. One side wants to govern alone to their own interests, not those of their constituents.
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What that video doesn't tell you is that, sometimes, partisan division is a good thing.
I contend that overall, both parties were once very conservative and that was a reflection of how conservative the US as a whole was.
Now, over the last 2 decades, we've seen:
- Democrats absorb the best qualities of the Republican platform.
- While Republicans have desperately shifted right and appealed to ignorance and bigotry for a lack of substance, thereby becoming the "Anti-Dems."
- Meanwhile Democrats have slowly began adopting progressives ideas unheard of just 15-20-years-ago.
This scares Republicans more than anything. They're feeling their grip on the national narrative slipping. The bOtH sIDeS rhetoric is finally beginning to lose its effectiveness.
So look at this not with the negative connotations of partisan division, but the truth separating itself from the muddied waters of ignorance.
You're right that this only shows the parties don't agree on things as much as they used to, but doesn't explain why. One possible explanation is that one party slowly drifted to the extreme right and the other party isn't following along.
Or as one party drifted left, the other overcorrected to the right.
I still think Reagan had a big influence dividing the house.
Sometimes yes, but a governing body is much more effective if they can meet in the middle on some issues. If we continue to have the same margin of majority, and allow the filibuster to stand, we will be stuck in a slow crawl and there will be no progress. With the gerrymandering and the recent decision in the 8th circuit on voting rights, it seems inevitable that we will be stuck in this crawl.
This 118th Congress has been very ineffective. I identify as progressive, but pragmatically so. There are pills I can swallow if the overall direction is a positive one. A lot of legislation hasn't even made it out of committee or to the floor because one side doesn't want to share their toys. We are being denied for political grandstanding.
Yes I must concede that it is better that the body be split than shackled to bygone conservatism BUT the divide will only grow unless members of different sides can learn to work together. And I do believe that there must be some reasonable people who can actually stand up for the bills that benefit their constituents instead of voting against them and then campaigning on them.
I largely agree with what you're saying.
Honestly, though, this is nearly all blatant political obstruction from the Republicans. Biden calling republicans' bluff with the border/aid bill is proof-positive of this. And it's so absurd and even self-defeating for Republicans that after having listened to Maddow's Ultra podcast on the proven nazi infilitration of Congress during the 1930s, I thoroughly believe Russia has a stranglehold on the Republican party right now.
It is absolutely obstruction and I'm not convinced they will have enough voters willing to believe whatever their false narrative will be.
My hope is that we can get enough of a hold in both houses and pass an immigration/border bill that is more progressive and maybe leaves a few Republican wants out. Then we can point out they had a chance, but didn't take it. Of course that all only satisfies my own ego and is a bit petty.
On your Russian theory, after watching this I'm even more convinced that Russia is heavily involved and I might be toeing the line on a few conspiracy theories. We may never know the full extent, but I do hope the truth is revealed.