The 2014 midterm election was a call to Democrats to go back to the board, the chalk board. Republicans have framed Democrats from the east and west coast as elitists who aren't representative of real Americans like them. I must give credit where credit is due. They have done an awesome job convincing the poorest states to vote against their own interests.
As Democrats, we've sounded the alarm, but I think it's time we take them back to school. I am likely dating myself, but I think a School House Rock approach could work. Let's get back to basics:
The Three Branches of Government
Executive Branch: Headed by the president. The president carries out federal laws and recommends new ones, directs national defense and foreign policy, and performs ceremonial duties. Powers include directing government, commanding the Armed Forces, dealing with international powers, acting as chief law enforcement officer, and vetoing laws.
Legislative Branch: Headed by Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws. Its powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving treaties (Senate).
Judicial Branch: Headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers include interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws, and deciding cases involving states' rights.
Checks and Balances
By creating three branches of government, the delegates built a "check and balance" system into the Constitution. This system was built so that no one branch of our government could become too powerful. Checks and balances of power between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches—as laid out in Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution
Each branch is restrained by the other two in several ways. For example, the president may veto a law passed by Congress. Congress can override that veto with a vote of two-thirds of both houses. Another example is that the Supreme Court may check Congress by declaring a law unconstitutional. The power is balanced by the fact that members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president. Those appointments have to be approved by Congress.
President Obama has a low approval rating despite his successes. Congress's ratings are even lower, yet many of the usual suspects will return with a new batch of crazy and tout the mandate given them by the voters, just as the voters did in 2008 and 2012 with President Obama. Only this Senate and Congress is on track to be the least productive.
Time to wake the American people up. Democracy starts from the bottom up. A point John Oliver made on his show regarding the antics of state legislatures. We have seen the enemy and it is us. Luckily, we have time to rebuild and educate. I come from a family of educators, I am ready. Let's hop to it Democrats, the best Hollywood writers can't dream up a scarier scenario than what will happen if we don't.