Democrats love meaningless symbolism over substance 

In a political landscape that demands action, accountability, and results, the Democratic Party has increasingly leaned into obstructionist tactics that prioritize optics and symbolism over outcomes and accomplishments. 

In the latest example, Texas Democrats fled their state to block a special legislative session’s action on redistricting. The truancy is not only a bad idea, but typical of Democrats’ love of tales (or political narratives, in this case) “told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”. 

The actions of the Texas House Democrats are ultimately destined to fail — just as similar stunts have in the past.  Everyone knows it, including the escapees.  In the meantime, critical legislation is not being passed.  

More than 50 Texas House Democrats fled to Illinois and New York to deny a quorum and halt a special session focused on redistricting and disaster relief. Fleeing to Chicago has an ironic twist.  By all accounts, Illinois is the most brutally gerrymandered state in America.  The Texas Democrats do their party no favor by drawing national attention to that fact.  One of the Texas AWOLs stumbled over that issue when it was raised by Brianna Keilar on CNN.  It makes Texas’ redistricting plans more like a reaction.

Texas Democrats Two-Time Losers 

This is not the first time Texas Democrats have pulled this maneuver. In 2003, they fled to Oklahoma and New Mexico to protest redistricting. In 2021, they jetted off to Washington, D.C., to block a voting bill. Each time, they returned empty-handed – but claimed victory, regardless. The legislation they opposed was eventually passed – as will be the case this time. 

Now, under House rules passed in 2023, these absentee lawmakers face a $500-per-day fine for their absence. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has even threatened to assist in locating and arresting them for dereliction of duty. Governor Greg Abbott has warned that continued absence could result in forfeiture of their seats in the legislature. 

Not just Texas 

This isn’t just a Texas issue.  It is an evergreen Democrat strategy. In 2011, Wisconsin Democrats fled to Illinois to block a vote on Governor Scott Walker’s plan to limit collective bargaining rights for public employees. The result? After weeks of protests and delays, Republicans passed the legislation anyway. 

In Congress, Democrats staged a sit-in on the floor of the House in 2016 to demand gun control votes. It was a dramatic gesture and forced a temporary adjournment, but it didn’t result in any meaningful legislation. More recently, Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker engaged in prolonged speeches to protest proposed budget cuts and Trump policies. It delayed the work of the House and Senate, respectively — got a lot of fawning attention from their media allies — but no discernible legislative benefit for the donkey party. 

It is questionable whether such tactics even energize the base, as some suggest. History suggests that it does not.  Once the Democrats had returned and Republicans passed the legislation, the issue evaporated like the morning mist.  The Democrats’ highly publicized tantrums do not change votes. They did not win any legislative battles. They did not serve the public interest. Basically, there is no victory for the Democrats who obstruct. 

Schumer’s Stonewalling 

In yet another example of symbolism over substance – obstinance over accomplishment — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has taken obstructionism to new heights. He’s blocking virtually all of Trump’s civilian nominees, refusing to allow voice votes or unanimous consent – as has been the tradition for decades. This has left more than 130 nominees in limbo, delaying critical appointments and potentially grinding government operations to a halt. 

Schumer’s demand is the release of more than $1 billion in funds blocked by the Trump administration.  Only in Washington can folks bribe in billions of dollars.  Trump responded to Schumer’s demand by telling the Minority Leader to “go to hell.” 

In more polite terms, Trump has called Schumer’s demands “egregious and unprecedented.”  Schumer claims the nominees are “historically unqualified” and deserve “historic levels of scrutiny,” even though all the nominees have already gone through bipartisan vetting. Schumer’s tactic is not about vetting, but about stalling for stalling’s sake.  Even Schumer knows that when the Senate returns after the summer break, all the nominees will be confirmed. 

In a strange logic, Schumer claimed that Trump had folded and is the loser.  What?  Such a claim makes Schumer look like a fool. 

Even moderate Democrats have expressed concern about the long-term consequences of this strategy. If Republicans retaliate by changing Senate rules – as is expected — it could permanently alter the confirmation process. 

Summary 

Democrats often justify these tactics with lofty rhetoric. They claim to be defending democracy, protecting civil rights, or standing up for the marginalized. But these actions are undemocratic and hurt the folks back home by delaying critical legislation, stalling economic recovery and needlessly burning up taxpayer money. 

These stunts may win applause from the base, but they erode confidence in the Democratic Party (which is already at an all-time low) and the government institutions in which they serve.  

If Democrats want to lead, they need to legislate. They need to stop running and start participating in governing – even from the weakened position to which the American people relegated them. They need to trade symbolism for substance.  Because in the end, people do not want theater. They want results. For the obstructionist Democrats, it is all about being seen — not being effective. 

So, there ‘tis.  

Post Script: At the time of this writing, there are rumors that the errant legislators will return for Texas Governor Abbott’s next Special Session.

The post Democrats love meaningless symbolism over substance  appeared first on The Punching Bag Post.