"Built not bought" video is good for Ds

[xoxoxoBruce]

The problem with democrats is they claim to be left but after they get elected they move to center. Then when striking a compromise with the right (back when that was possible) the end result always ends up right of center.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Then when striking a compromise with the right (back when that was possible) the end result always ends up right of center.

We all saw that when Boehner and Obama, meeting on a golf course, decided to strike a deal to control the massive deficit. That was ongoing until the wacko right got word of it (Biden may have accidentally said something). That was the beginning of the end for Speaker Boehner.
Who Killed the Debt Deal

Wacko right extremists (ie Tea Party) made sure their man Eric Cantor was in all future discussions. Even moderate Republicans (Tom Coburn, Lamar Alexander, the 'gang of six') were brought in to moderate a deal. But extremists only only wanted "my way or the highway".

They even wanted a top tax rate, only for the richest Americans at 35%. to be reduced. And later added demands for massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These extremist did what extremists do. Subvert deals. Rather than run a deficit of $800 billion, the wackos wanted a $3 trillion deficit. Using the well disproven myth that lower spending would increase tax revenues.

Conceding to those spending cuts, Obama even got Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to sign on - no easy task. A complete deal was made. But suddenly Republican right wing extremists threatened to remove Boehner if he made any deal. That deal was completely trashed in only three days. Everyone but right wing extremist Republican were in agreement. Extremists said, "My way or the highway".

Tea Party extremists continued stifling progress so often that Boehner finally had enough in 2015 saying he could no longer lead such a fractured party.

What followed was a long list of major Republican moderates leaving with and after Boehner eventually resulting in a party that fully supports Trump extremism. The classic example was the death of John McCain where statements about entrenched obstinance were bluntly stated by so many - even in his memorial service.

That is what has changed. Even Eric Cantor, a Tea Party supporter, was not extreme right wing for his party. He was surprise replaced in a primary by an extreme right wing Tea Partier. That is the only place where American politics have radically changed - especially in the past three years - since 2015.

The Democratic message of 'let's make a deal' only resulted in an entrenched Washington where extremist rhetoric (ie attack allies such a Britain, European Union, NATO, TPP, Korean Trade agreement, Canada, NAFTA, France, Angela Merkel, etc) is the norm while praising Putin. This is Tea Party extremism taken to new heights. And only in the Republican party.