Tell us what goes on behind the scenes in a situation like this -- when the senate dems were indicating they would cave did any SD Dem party official communicate their point of view upwards to try and influence things -- we have 4 voting members of the DNC. Or were they in agreement or just didn't think their opinions mattered? Why aren't you calling for Schumer to resign - are you supportive of the way he handled his leadership popsition?
You ask good questions, Tom. I'll be honest with you:
1) re: indication of caving, no one knew that was even happening until media began reporting just before voting began last night. No names were being released, and none of us would have known who they were.
2) If we had known who they were, we would have done our part to communicate upward. We had communicated with neighboring Democratic leaders during the shutdown but even in those moments, they technically have no responsibility toward us (they don't represent us).
3) The 8 who voted to reopen the government and give up on healthcare demands made up their minds independently of the South Dakota Democrats or any Democrats, for that matter. Not even their own colleagues in the Senate knew, apparently.
4) I haven't called publicly for Schumer to resign until I've understood who and why this happened. However, in my opinion, it's time for him to step down from leadership. He's no longer effective and hasn't been for some time.
I say all of this with an additional caveat for you and any reader who sees this: I'm a state legislator from South Dakota. Technically, I don't have control over any decision in Washington, especially when no Democrat represents South Dakota in Congress. I also hold no leadership title in the South Dakota Democratic Caucus.
But I do know the process well. What those 8 Democrats who walked away from their caucus and their countrymen and countrywomen don't understand is they didn't act in the interest of Americans who know healthcare is an issue. I couldn't be more disappointed in them. I also understand the stakes. People in poverty using SNAP benefits are going hungry in our own state.
We all have choices to make. Mine would be different, and I think the American people deserve better than the regime in Washington that is more interested in enriching themselves than doing right by the American people.
thanks for the thoughtful response. I always believed the main purpose of political parties was to be able to activate massive numbers of people to act - vote, sign petitions, makes calls, write letters, take to the streets etc. Of course that requires communication networks etc. My experience with the Dems is that those networks are thin at best and your comments sadly indicate that it's no better at the elected rep level than it is down in the trenchs. From the trenchs I tried to push my fellow Dems to push the state to improve communications in SD but with little effect. I guess if the nat'l leadership doesn't care about keeping the DNC members informed of if the DNC members don't care about sending what info they get downwards to even the elected reps...well...there's little hope for the type of communications that could activate masses. I think it's something to be worked on. Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to respond - best, Tom
Tell us what goes on behind the scenes in a situation like this -- when the senate dems were indicating they would cave did any SD Dem party official communicate their point of view upwards to try and influence things -- we have 4 voting members of the DNC. Or were they in agreement or just didn't think their opinions mattered? Why aren't you calling for Schumer to resign - are you supportive of the way he handled his leadership popsition?
You ask good questions, Tom. I'll be honest with you:
1) re: indication of caving, no one knew that was even happening until media began reporting just before voting began last night. No names were being released, and none of us would have known who they were.
2) If we had known who they were, we would have done our part to communicate upward. We had communicated with neighboring Democratic leaders during the shutdown but even in those moments, they technically have no responsibility toward us (they don't represent us).
3) The 8 who voted to reopen the government and give up on healthcare demands made up their minds independently of the South Dakota Democrats or any Democrats, for that matter. Not even their own colleagues in the Senate knew, apparently.
4) I haven't called publicly for Schumer to resign until I've understood who and why this happened. However, in my opinion, it's time for him to step down from leadership. He's no longer effective and hasn't been for some time.
I say all of this with an additional caveat for you and any reader who sees this: I'm a state legislator from South Dakota. Technically, I don't have control over any decision in Washington, especially when no Democrat represents South Dakota in Congress. I also hold no leadership title in the South Dakota Democratic Caucus.
But I do know the process well. What those 8 Democrats who walked away from their caucus and their countrymen and countrywomen don't understand is they didn't act in the interest of Americans who know healthcare is an issue. I couldn't be more disappointed in them. I also understand the stakes. People in poverty using SNAP benefits are going hungry in our own state.
We all have choices to make. Mine would be different, and I think the American people deserve better than the regime in Washington that is more interested in enriching themselves than doing right by the American people.
thanks for the thoughtful response. I always believed the main purpose of political parties was to be able to activate massive numbers of people to act - vote, sign petitions, makes calls, write letters, take to the streets etc. Of course that requires communication networks etc. My experience with the Dems is that those networks are thin at best and your comments sadly indicate that it's no better at the elected rep level than it is down in the trenchs. From the trenchs I tried to push my fellow Dems to push the state to improve communications in SD but with little effect. I guess if the nat'l leadership doesn't care about keeping the DNC members informed of if the DNC members don't care about sending what info they get downwards to even the elected reps...well...there's little hope for the type of communications that could activate masses. I think it's something to be worked on. Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to respond - best, Tom