edit: How did this post turn into a debate about liberals? Have y’all never heard of fascists referring to everyone to their left as liberals? It’s such a minor point in the comic, yet it’s outshining the larger point about the rich being the single “minority” that we should actually be concerned about. These identity politics are distracting from who everyone’s common enemy should be.
This site has a mix of neoliberals, leftist, and tankies that all arguing over the definition of liberal.
You’ll also see articles that point out the Democrats are doing something to block something, but then a few will vote with the GOP and suddenly all the Democrats are labeled as working with the GOP despite months of something being blocked and people voting against it.
I’ll give you the answers, though. Neoliberals are wrong. Half of leftist are wrong depending on whether or not they play purity politics. And all tankies are dumb asses.
While it only takes a few Dems to give in and vote with the Republicans, but it is often the leadership folks like Schumer. It is a complaint that the party as a whole can’t come together, which is necessary for things to happen.
Thinking that a minority of Dems voting against something absolves those who didn’t is misunderstanding how the politics often work. There are often politicians willing to play the bad guy who will vote an unpopular position to save others from risking their neck. A good example is former Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative from a deep red state who was an irreplaceable part of the Democrat’s majority. Other conservative Democrats like Dianne Feinstein often agreed with Manchin privately and would be happy that he could take all the heat.
There’s also the fact that those in leadership positions often lead the capitulation, especially Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer. Trying to section off a third of the party as outliers is a lot harder when they’re the ones with the most clout. Acting like the Democrats as a whole need shielding from their own flaws only further entrenches their weakness.