I agree, there were possible off ramps Dems could have taken, but what are your thoughts on the 40-50 year indoctrination of half the country by the right by the Newt Ginchriches of the world? The affordable care act, while flawed saved lives and materially helped millions. The Chips and Inflation act created jobs and put money in people’s pockets. Yet half the country is not in tune with reality. Arabs voted for Trump Towers in Gaza, Latinos voted for deportation, and Blacks(men tbf) voted for someone who’s openly racist and uses “DEI” in place of the N word. Yes, this didn’t start in 2016, or even 2008, and social media misinformation is more powerful than past comms republicans had at their disposal, but Fox News and christofascist talk radio have been radicalizing half the country and holding us hostage for a long time. It’s so malicious it should have been considered an act of war because the reality of today is the only logical outcome we can assume they were aiming for.

I agree, Dems should have punched first like when you see the bully approaching you on the playground, but to use your battered spouse analogy, the conservatives in this country are the battered spouse that fights the cops when they answer the domestic violence call every 4 years. Pragmatically, you should do your job, in reality, the police just go home.