I think the notion that a US senator has the same power as an average citizen is, frankly, absurd.
Bernie Sanders got living wage increases for Disney and Amazon workers not via a vote, but traveling out of his way, showing up at their doorsteps, and giving public speeches about their labor practices. Mitch McConnell changed the entire course of US history, even when his party didn’t have any voting power.
As for government existing at the consent of the governed, it sounds nice in principle but it doesn’t and never has existed here. The US government has always existed and acted at the consent of the rich and established itself based on violence. You’ll recall that originally only wealthy landowning white men could vote, and even Washington himself turned the US military against a group of petulant farmers after becoming president, because they had the balls to oppose a whiskey tax. Most of our founding fathers were rich dudes who abused their slaves in various ways.
I’m not giving myself a pass. I’m just acknowledging reality. Outside of your local zip code you are powerless if you don’t have a massive fortune with which to bribe people, but I do firmly believe people should be active in their local sphere and do the good they can.
And I’m pretty clear on what I expect them to do. Use the resources they do have and play dirty. Problem is the Dems are dirty too.
In terms of hard power/concrete power, a minority senator with no executive backing or judicial backing is severely limited. They must request records from executive branch departments. They have no enforcement arm. They have limited ability to limit legislation. They cannot pass recall legislation of any kind. They cannot exercise their legally granted authorities.
Your example about Bernie actually proves my point - he rallied the base and got the citizens to apply pressure. He took no concrete actions but used influence to rally support. This democrat party letter is the same thing at the same scope. AOC and Co traveling around to various town halls is that same thing. Every “too weak” statement they put out is the attempted use of influence and soft power. You’re only happy about that from Bernie because you like Bernie. What’s Bernie done to get Epstein files released? Is he “dirty” too? All he does is tweet about it and write letters and broadcast his message.
I’m left wondering if you genuinely think any US senator can go on their computer and open epstein_files.pdf any time they wish, and they’re simply choosing not to do so. They literally passed a law to force the disclosure of the full files and the DoJ just said “nah”. The lawsuit to attempt to force compliance is working its way through the courts, but Congress’ only enforcement mechanism is recall legislation which requires a supermajority which they do not have.
I think the notion that a US senator has the same power as an average citizen is, frankly, absurd.
Bernie Sanders got living wage increases for Disney and Amazon workers not via a vote, but traveling out of his way, showing up at their doorsteps, and giving public speeches about their labor practices. Mitch McConnell changed the entire course of US history, even when his party didn’t have any voting power.
As for government existing at the consent of the governed, it sounds nice in principle but it doesn’t and never has existed here. The US government has always existed and acted at the consent of the rich and established itself based on violence. You’ll recall that originally only wealthy landowning white men could vote, and even Washington himself turned the US military against a group of petulant farmers after becoming president, because they had the balls to oppose a whiskey tax. Most of our founding fathers were rich dudes who abused their slaves in various ways.
I’m not giving myself a pass. I’m just acknowledging reality. Outside of your local zip code you are powerless if you don’t have a massive fortune with which to bribe people, but I do firmly believe people should be active in their local sphere and do the good they can.
And I’m pretty clear on what I expect them to do. Use the resources they do have and play dirty. Problem is the Dems are dirty too.
In terms of hard power/concrete power, a minority senator with no executive backing or judicial backing is severely limited. They must request records from executive branch departments. They have no enforcement arm. They have limited ability to limit legislation. They cannot pass recall legislation of any kind. They cannot exercise their legally granted authorities.
Your example about Bernie actually proves my point - he rallied the base and got the citizens to apply pressure. He took no concrete actions but used influence to rally support. This democrat party letter is the same thing at the same scope. AOC and Co traveling around to various town halls is that same thing. Every “too weak” statement they put out is the attempted use of influence and soft power. You’re only happy about that from Bernie because you like Bernie. What’s Bernie done to get Epstein files released? Is he “dirty” too? All he does is tweet about it and write letters and broadcast his message.
I’m left wondering if you genuinely think any US senator can go on their computer and open epstein_files.pdf any time they wish, and they’re simply choosing not to do so. They literally passed a law to force the disclosure of the full files and the DoJ just said “nah”. The lawsuit to attempt to force compliance is working its way through the courts, but Congress’ only enforcement mechanism is recall legislation which requires a supermajority which they do not have.
You’ve totally convinced me.
Senators are powerless.
Thank you for the discussion. Have a great day.
You as well