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When was it that Democratic party switched to be solely motivated by fear of future castigation? Were they subjected en masse to Skinnerian conditioning, so that any though of action brings an immediate terror of reprisal? Apparently so, since they are now incapable of acting in any meaningful fashion, paralyzed by the thought that whatever they do will bring censure upon them.
They haven't realised yet that they're going to be torn apart in some of the press no matter what they do. If they make a politically injudicious move, it will be harped on for months. If they don't, then one will be invented. They need to get to the point where they no longer care that this happens, and simply govern anyway.
As it stands now, they are hostage to this fear. Worse, they are displaying signs of Stockholm Syndrome, and slowly identifying with the agenda of their captors instead of that of their constituents. That this should be happening now, when their opposition is at a historic low and the country is clamouring to support them if they'd but act, is even more heartbreaking.
