If the Democrats sweep back Congress

[King]

Do they learn from the last time or does the Obama-Reid-Pelosi trio just sit on their hands trying to negotiate for another two unproductive years?

[Mehmentum]

The second one.

[Peeperkorn]

I thought that American Congress was unproductive per se (at least for the social imaginary), whichever party had the majority.

[Antonio the Sixth]

You're asking the right question. Only God (if he exists) knows the answer.

[greenforest32]

Assuming they win back Congress and hold the Presidency, you will know in January of 2013 when they have the chance to reform or abolish the filibuster.

If they don't, expect a repeat of 2009-2010.

I fully expect more capitulation because the money has made them complicit with the neoliberal agenda.

The current elected members of the Democratic party will not support real liberal policies like Medicare for all or meaningful tax increases on the rich/big corporations (earned/unearned income taxed the same, progressive tax rates above 35%, closing deductions/credits benefiting the rich, etc) or undoing the massive deregulation, etc. There are members who do (Progressive Caucus?), but the party as a whole will not pass these things. Especially not when they have slim majorities and must rely on the corrupted factions (Blue Dogs, "moderate" Democrats) of the party.

[greenforest32]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/us/politics/state-of-the-union-more-like-state-of-the-campaign.html

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[The_Texas_Libertarian]

The Democrats would likely push forward legislation and attempt to get the GOP on board by using some of the rights policy ideas (like an individual mandate from Romney, Gingrich) simply to have the GOP reject it and look like hypocrites.

However maybe the Democrats will learn and actually go left like they did on the repeal on DADT and force the GOP to vote on it

[Peeperkorn]

This is the problem with elections every 2 years. Makes politicians cowards and demagogues, not decision-makers.

[Devils30]

if the Dems somehow retake the House they need to get a new speaker, majority leader. It would help the campaign by having a few new faces speak for the congressional leadership. Speakers have very short shelf-lives, Pelosi was good for her 4 years but now she's toxic. Newt was too before he resigned and Boehner is headed in that direction.

[memphis]

What would the Democrats' goals be, presuming they could magically get them past the Senate? Healthcare is done. Iraq is done. Financial reform is done. Gays in the military is done.
What's left? Repeal DOMA? Raise Mitt Romney's taxes?

[Devils30]

Tax reform, simplify the tax code. Lower the top rate but reduce all these deductions and make the system fair.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

What would the Democrats' goals be, presuming they could magically get them past the Senate? Healthcare is done. Iraq is done. Financial reform is done. Gays in the military is done.
What's left? Repeal DOMA? Raise Mitt Romney's taxes?

Taxing unearned income at the same or higher federal income tax rate is some serious low hanging fruit. It would still be taxed less because of payroll taxes. Limiting deductions to $1 million or something would be a good move, too.

[LastVoter]

JOBS JOBS JOBS.