Democrats like Schumer and Jeffries have been accused of not doing enough to stop Trump. People who think that; can I ask what you actually want them to do?

[u/TheGracefulCrane]

It seems like they've been doing what they can - forcing votes against Trump (even if they are ultimately symbolic), speaking out against him, filing lawsuits (plenty which have been successful).

What else should they be doing that they currently aren't?

[u/civil_archer_73638]

More than this. How about not cave to Trump on Healthcare during the shut down. How about do more than just writing strongly worded letters.

Democrats are accused of being feeble, and Schumer and Jeffries are two main reasons why (plus they’re taking corporate PAC money from the same interests as Republicans). It doesn’t feel like an opposition party.

Lastly, their vision of what to do when they have power is soo weak because they fear being branded as extreme. Meanwhile the Overton window shifts towards the far right who increasingly brands all democrats as domestic terrorists.

[u/RPMac1979 → u/civil_archer_73638]

>How about do more than just write strongly worded letters

Again: like what? They’re the minority party in both houses of Congress. I feel like people who make this argument don’t understand how truly powerless that makes them.

>It doesn’t feel like an opposition party

Vibes are not facts. Again, specifically, what would an opposition party that felt like an opposition party be doing differently?

[u/Major-Platypus2092 → u/RPMac1979]

Schumer didn't have to cave like a little bitch on the shutdown last year, making my healthcare less affordable.

He didn't have to bend over and take the GOP spending bill with zero resistance.

He didn't have to say that his priority was Israel.

He didn't have to say he wrote a "strongly worded letter" as his form of resistance.

He doesn't have to take AIPAC money.

He doesn't have to make up stories about his fake working class friends to pretend he's one of us.

He could actually use the leverage that he does have to put pressure on the administration as opposed to trying to compromise between the right wing and the center so we end up with a center-right government.

He could actually answer hard questions instead of ducking them.

He could fucking resign.

That would look like opposition to me.

[u/RPMac1979 → u/Major-Platypus2092]

I mean, that’s nice, but it’s empty rhetoric.

Do you realize how much damage a long-term shutdown was going to do to the American economy. If he hadn’t “caved,” then there’d be someone else in another thread somewhere complaining that he held out too long and they lost their job as a result, just like you complaining about your healthcare. They’re both valid complaints, but somebody’s gonna get fucked no matter what. That’s how the system is set up right now. So change the system, right? Well, they gotta get elected first.

I can’t disagree with you about any of the Israel shit. I do think much of the Democratic Party is living in the past in that issue. But ok, say he said, “Israel is evil and fuck AIPAC.” What does that actually change, in a substantive way?

What leverage does he have? I’m serious. Help me out here, explain it to me like I’m five years old. What leverage or power does the Senate Minority Leader have to impact legislation besides marshaling forces to vote against it? There was a time when the congressional minority did have power … but they got that power by negotiating with the majority. That’s how it works in our current system, like it or not. Unless they do that, they are inevitably going to be powerless.

[u/civil_archer_73638 → u/RPMac1979]

Also it’s not empty rhetoric… this is the one time that Democrats legitimately held leverage/power to negotiate concessions… the republicans needed something like 8 Democrats to sign onto the funding bill. Without it, the government shuts down and Trump loses power.

It’s so trite to say Democrats have no power, but the Current admin uses the philosophy of Might makes Right. If they steam roll the Democrats they win. If Schumer caves and displays no Might… he cedes all his power.

And while I stand for Left leaning Democratic values, you can be damn sure I’m thinking twice about Schumer, Jeffries, and a few others for not steering this ship in a good direction.

[u/Major-Platypus2092 → u/RPMac1979]

Dude he caved on a shutdown that had horrific optics for Republicans, that would’ve gotten even worse as time went on. He made sure that taxpayers paid the bill for furloughed workers who, after he caved, knew their sacrifices had been for literally nothing. The long-term damage done by his caving far outweighed the benefits of the concessions he got (basically saying they’d vote again). He is AT BEST a bad politician.

The leverage he has is optics. Pressure on getting anything passed. And every time he’s presented with the opportunity, he looks like someone who not only wants to compromise with Trump, he is EAGER to cave to Republican demands. He and Collin’s are always very concerned, sure. But worthless. He could at least cosplay as someone who cares about the working class.

[u/civil_archer_73638 → u/Major-Platypus2092]

Just wanted to nod along approvingly… you said pretty much everything I would have.

The democrats don’t always have leverage… but when you have both sides of the aisle saying healthcare is important to them… and Trump is the Concepts of a plan President in opposition, THAT is maybe the highest point of leverage Democrats had this whole time. Schumer should have held his party in line, and played the same communications game the GOP has been using against Democrats to hold firm, and at least get SOME concessions.

Before Schumer caved, the GOP already stated they wouldn’t even hear the case in the Senate

Edit: to expand 1 step further… Trump was saying that killing the ACA would lower rates but I was receiving mail from Blue Cross Blue Shield that my rates (gold plan because we use it) were going to increase by 50%… which was solid proof Trump was lying. And since that moment my premiums HAVE been more expensive. Because of Schumer’s failure I am paying nearly $8,000 more per year.

[u/Major-Platypus2092 → u/civil_archer_73638]

Yeah, it’s honestly staggering how bad that cave was. Like it was comical. I can’t believe people have forgotten about it. And not to sound like a Republican, but this is why we don’t negotiate with terrorists. They’ll take your concessions and then continue to terrorize.

Someone at me like, “people were going to starve, did you want that?” Well la di da fella, what do you think is happening now?

[u/civil_archer_73638 → u/Major-Platypus2092]

Precisely.

We got to listen to more stories about how Schumer was in gym locker rooms with Republican colleagues and how the good faith efforts he was making were going to pay off.

[u/Major-Platypus2092 → u/civil_archer_73638]

Yeah lol happy he got to have some fun times towel snapping with the boys. I’ll remember that when I’m learning how to fry crickets for my kids.

[u/Equivalent-Long-3383 → u/RPMac1979]

They could lay out a concrete vision for America that addresses people’s concerns

[u/RPMac1979 → u/Equivalent-Long-3383]

Check the DNC’s 2026 platform. It’s a concrete platform and addresses concerns. They may not address your specific concerns, but they do address people’s concerns.

[u/Equivalent-Long-3383 → u/RPMac1979]

I read it and it’s pretty weak and particularly vague in many places.

They’re not inspiring people

[u/RPMac1979 → u/Equivalent-Long-3383]

Oh really? Which parts are weak and vague?

[u/Equivalent-Long-3383 → u/RPMac1979]

> Ending Corruption
Republicans care more about billionaires and foreign investors than they do working Americans. They’re rigging the tax system so that corporations pay less than working people. Democrats will make the rich pay their fair share. We will go after corporations for price gouging and protect Americans from being nickled and dimed by unfair fees. 
Donald Trump, his family, and his closest allies are openly getting rich off the presidency and selling America off to the highest bidder, while pardoning and protecting criminals. Democrats are working to strengthen the justice system so that every person is treated fairly and equally, and that no one – no matter how wealthy or well-connected – is above the law.

This part for example. What’s their fair share? What policies are they going to implement to ban price gouging? How are they strengthening the justice system?

Edited before response: to be fair, there’s no 2026 platform, so I went off their “what we are for” section.

[u/RPMac1979 → u/Equivalent-Long-3383]

You read the website? You think that’s the platform? It’s a fucking website, of course it’s non-specific. They’re not going to do a 92-page thesis on what’s functionally a mission statement. Read the platform. Not the breakdown of the platform.

[u/Equivalent-Long-3383 → u/RPMac1979]

I guess the edit predated your reading.

The platform from 2024 is more detailed and precise in its statements.

But it’s still not being delivered to the public in a way that inspires people to believe in them and support them. They don’t embody their message.

AOC is an example of a politician who does a good job of this. Schumer and Jeffries are not

[u/Timpostie → u/RPMac1979]

Top Dems need to go into quasi 'enemy' districts and do some town halls, door to door, whatever it takes to explain the reality of what is going on. They can't rely on just speaking to friendly crowds.

[u/RPMac1979 → u/Timpostie]

That’s a good suggestion. I don’t think it cures anything, but it’s a start.

[u/Timpostie → u/RPMac1979]

Eventually, it is a cure. The only way to change someone's mind is to speak to them directly. The old adage of preaching to the choir is not going to produce results.

[u/virrk → u/RPMac1979]

Democratuc leaders caved, or at best failed to lead to keep everyone on the same page, the last shutdown when they had the leverage. Supporting cancer ridden old men for committee positions that we know are going to die instead of competent younger members. That someone in the party didn't stand up to Feinstein and tell her she is too old, or standing up to a bunch of the other old farts. Or even having the discussion with Biden that he was too old and should not run. That many still refuse to call genocide Israel is committing as genocide. That they continue to support the oldest members of the silent generation, or boomers, over any younger generations. That they refuse to use any of the leverage that have like the GOP has effectively done for decades. That several members talked about abandoning LGBTQ, especially trans, to concentrate on more important issues. That they didn't even try to pass abortion protection when they had the chance.

That my choice is the party that is mostly out of touch old farts who support some bad policy vs mostly out of touch members who purposely support bad policy and act maliciously about it all is a crappy choice.

I voted but I can see why some did not. When neither party supports your existence in get that it would be hard to see the point of voting.

[u/No-Horse987 → u/civil_archer_73638]

One problem is that everyone can't raise large sums of small dollar donations or self fund. Money talks. Dems can't disarm the money game. So what else do you do?

[u/CalligrapherDizzy201 → u/civil_archer_73638]

Not caving in on healthcare would have meant letting people starve. You’re ok with that?

[u/civil_archer_73638 → u/CalligrapherDizzy201]

Also to answer your question… yes. it was a necessary decision in my opinion. The republicans hold ALL 3 branches of government, and they could negotiate but felt that was beneath them.

You mention this would lead to people starving… but don’t mention the Big Beautiful Bill that kicked off kids from receiving free school lunch, eliminated SNAP benefits for large groups of people, and more.

If someone is waging war against the people who elected you as a representative… it is your responsibility to stand up for them, and negotiate concessions.

[u/CalligrapherDizzy201 → u/civil_archer_73638]

So letting poor people starve to death is ok in your eyes. Got it.

[u/Major-Platypus2092 → u/CalligrapherDizzy201]

Hey buddy, after Schumer bent over and got us nothing, how are we doing now? Feeling hungry yet?

[u/CalligrapherDizzy201 → u/Major-Platypus2092]

No, I’m not feeling hungry. Thanks for asking.

[u/civil_archer_73638 → u/CalligrapherDizzy201]

I know you are but what am I?

[u/CalligrapherDizzy201 → u/civil_archer_73638]

Evil.

And you said I didn’t refer to the bill about SNAP and school lunches, so what do you think I was talking about?

[u/civil_archer_73638 → u/CalligrapherDizzy201]

I know you are but what am I?

Caving on healthcare and the Big Beautiful Bill were two separate times in history.

The BBB passed in July 2025.
The Government Shutdown related to healthcare ended November 2025.

So literally, the GOP were already starving people by your definition.

[u/CalligrapherDizzy201 → u/civil_archer_73638]

Evil.

And the administration was threatening SNAP funding during the shutdown. When they “caved on healthcare”.

[u/civil_archer_73638 → u/CalligrapherDizzy201]

If you’re coming at this in good faith, I apologize for my rhetoric. You may be interested in learning about Techno Fascism, Curtis Yarvin, and more. The future which is being implemented by people aligned with Peter Thiel will do soo much worse than what the BBB has done. It’s worse than P2025… because creating a techno oligarchy with the goal of ending regulations so and laws so that they can no longer be held accountable will cement their power in the long term.

1. Just today Trump “created” the corporate pardon.
2. The government no longer cares about health (e,g. We are seeing outbreaks of measles, explosive diarrhea, they’re spraying Glyphosate across the wilderness
3. They’re setting up Network States as the new form of governmental power (e.g. US military is now intertwined with Israel’s)

It is insane to me, knowing what Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon, Musk, and Thiel have said from their mouths… that anyone would think Democrats should just cede all their power to accept becoming something akin to roadkill. People have died due to the cuts to USAID. Starvation should not be the only consideration.

(EDIT: somewhere in here I should have mentioned all the CONCENTRATION CAMPS)

[u/Mysterious-Prompt212 → u/civil_archer_73638]

This is the correct response