If we don't negotiate with republicans what are we going to do when they take over the house?

[dkf]

I don't understand how we expect to run the government by ignoring the house. Maybe we haven't figured out we lost it?

[eShirl]

1. because the Republicans were so open to reason the last time they controlled the house

[dkf]

2. So nothing gets done.

[Javaman]

25. The repukes have made it very clear that they want to make Obama a one termer..

they have also gone on record as saying they don't want to negotiate. They also have filibustered everything and have said no to everything.

Do you honestly believe that trying to work with them is going to work?

Are you channeling Obama?

[TBF]

27. I would rather "nothing get done" than oppressive right wing legislation goes through. nt

[hobbit709]

3. What makes you think THEY will negotiate?

Their negotiating strategy is "My way or forget it, the answer is NO!"

[dkf]

6. They don't like the unemployment extensions

Yet some will vote for it for despite that

[quinnox]

4. yea, you're right, we agree to every ridiculous proposal the GOP

tea baggers in charge of the House come up with, and tell them thank you for giving us a couple crumbs in the bargain. :eyes:

The Democrats control the presidency, and the Senate, its not as if we are powerless. (Though seeing what President Obama is doing, you might think so)

[polmaven]

9. UI benefit extensions

for more than 7 million Americans out of work is a "crumb" to you? I find that really sad.

[bluethruandthru]

11. I think UI would pass if it was allowed to stand on it's own.

Republicans have lots of unemployed people in their districts/states who would not be happy if they voted against it.

[rpannier]

22. Republicans have passed extensions before

They most likely would have passed them again

[polmaven]

26. "most likely"

is not enough for the people who aqre losing everything!

[lunatica]

5. Remember the Bush years?

Negotiations don't happen under Republican rule. Democratic chairing committee meetings are held in closets, and microphones are shut off. It isn't the Democrats who refuse to negotiate.

[Pholus]

7. They won't. I oppose "le grande compromise" precisely because we got too little.

They get TWO YEARS of budget busting tax cuts and the moral high ground on
social security (they can CLAIM truthfully that the deficit is larger
because of it).

We get 13 months of UI.

Consider the timing: We'll be back to them with our hat in our hands before
they need to talk.

We pay pretty stiffly with this compromise. With tax cuts not on the table
next time, please tell me exactly what we're going to give away 13 months
from now WHEN (not if) they take the hostage again.

If your answer is good, I will change my position.

[dkf]

13. 1099 requirement in the health care bill.

[Pholus]

15. That is one I hadn't considered, but I'm not sure its large enough on its own.

~70 billion dollars. It would be a one-to-one trade (13 months of UE will be ~60 billion).

I've never seen a republican happy to simply swap though.

[Harry Monroe]

8. Negotiation implies compromise. How can you negotiate with people who don't want to compromise?

And it implies each side give up a little for the common good. Obama did not negotiate with them, he capitulated. Capitulation is not negotiation. Someone needs to tell Obama this.

[stray cat]

12. What do you do then with them in the majority and in charge of the House

Who is responsible for tax law

[Pholus]

17. That's why we're scared! You have to challenge them, to make them prove why they're wrong.

And if we compromise all the time, the message in the next election is that they have the right ideas.

[stray cat]

10. The House is in charge of tax laws -people think it will be better in Jan?

Pretty stupid if we expect better with the GOP in Charge of the House

[bread_and_roses]

14. Well, gee - the Rs didn't have much of a problem in the minority these last two years

... now did they? Of course, your post presumes the Ds want something different than the Rs do (ie, governance of, by, and for the rich) when there is no evidence at all that they do.

[rpannier]

23. We have a winner

Thank you

[spanone]

16. the President has reached across the isle for 2 years...they have no interest in bipartisanship

none

[old mark]

18. Democrats here and in the government will sulk and pout...the republicans, the ignorant

redneck bigots, managed to beat us cool, smart, aware liberals...even our chess playing President got beat by the RWers.

I'm not going to be very happy over the next few years, and I think it will get much, much worse for us after '12...

I thought the GOP was going down because of the Teabaggers, but they seem to have turned defeat into victory, while the Democrats were looking out the window and dreaming and fighting with each other...


mark

[reformist2]

19. Democrats can filibuster in the Senate.

[Bragi]

20. No-one is expected to "run the government"

America is largely ungovernable at this point. No plan for governing it via the usual democratic institutions is now possible. The Congress and the people are too divided. What happens will happen.

[CanonRay]

21. Block everything they want to do

Tit for tat. Eye for an eye. etc.

[WinkyDink]

24. Be steam-rollered, is my best guess.