deepen Americans' disdain FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I'm getting so tired of that false equivalency bull that "both Parties are the same111!!!" because it's a well-propagated LIE. And Rachel Maddow should know better than to peddle it for anti-Government corporatists who are investing tens of millions, hundreds of millions in all elections in order to destroy the U.S. Government which is the ONLY entity that has the resources and power to defeat them.

If you don't like how your party is perceived by the public try to fix your party. One problem with the Democrats is that they can't even get people to run for President. What do the Democrats offer us for President? The loser from the last Democratic primary, and wonder why they can't excite people. And many including right here on DU are happy to have it that way, to the point of wanting to exclude competition from within and outside of the party.

Is it any wonder that unaffiliated is the largest and fastest growing "party"?

If the 'undecideds' would vote, we'd have more Dems in office, a greater pool of candidates to support and none of these shenanigans.

The problem is the Republican Party and anybody who supports their causes. Between the idiots who voted for them and the bigger idiots who don't vote for democrats because they can't find the perfect candidate, I think they should all have to wear a scarlet letter dignifying them as the reason for why we have a dysfunctional republican controlled congress.

"Between the idiots who voted for them and the bigger idiots who don't vote for democrats because they can't find the perfect candidate, I think they should all have to wear a scarlet letter dignifying them as the reason for why we have a dysfunctional republican controlled congress."

This is exactly the problem with not understanding how politics works in this country. People who don't know how Congress functions (which is the vast majority of the American people, actually) and they don't see the good Democrats have been pushing forward and how they're being obstructed with every single parlor trick the Neo-Confederates in Congress are using to make it appear as if both Parties in Congress are equally dysfunctional - as Rachel Maddow has reported and according to GOP-favoring Gallup. This puts forward a false narrative that discourages Americans from participating in the electoral process when election time comes around because they believe "it doesn't make a difference" and this is exactly what the Neo-Confederates and Koch Bros are hoping would happen, hoping to continue to propagate the outright LIE that "gov't doesn't work". Let's not fall for their strategy here on DU.

Shouting it from the rose garden weekly!?
This is the kind of story that perpetuates the image that both parties are just playing games with the American people!

the recent dis-spiriting news of racial bigotry and crimes against people of color along with the circus and theater in congress are frustrating and overwhelming for many who feel their votes mean nothing.

meanwhile, msm is spreading the "powerless" themes and capitalizing on the sensational depressing stories aimed at democrats and people who respond to the emotional attacks and sensibilities of people who clamor for social justice. the overkill is deadening the populace. jeez. i'm worn out myself - then i come here and it is overwhelming.

positivity, people - let's keep it positive - if there is a disturbing fact or story - provide a solution or action for voters. let's empower one another and strengthen our base.

the gop are well aware that a group of committed individuals can move a progressive agenda and that united we stand - so their tactics are to separate and weaken our resolve and passion for social justice.

put up your shields and show others how to do the same!