Max Berger
@maxberger.bsky.social
Co-Founder Momentum Training Institute, IfNotNow, More Perfect Union. Formerly Warren, Justice Democrats, etc.
In a normal political system that has strong parties, there would be a way for members to replace leaders like Schumer who disregard their preferences.
In the US, Democratic voters have essentially no mechanism to change the direction of the party leadership.
In the US, Democratic voters have essentially no mechanism to change the direction of the party leadership.
November 11, 2025 at 3:21 PM
In a normal political system that has strong parties, there would be a way for members to replace leaders like Schumer who disregard their preferences.
In the US, Democratic voters have essentially no mechanism to change the direction of the party leadership.
In the US, Democratic voters have essentially no mechanism to change the direction of the party leadership.
Authoritarianism can only succeed when democracy fails to deliver for working people.
Authoritarian parties can only succeed when the pro-democracy parties fail to fight for working people.
We need a new democracy and a new party system which can represent working people.
Authoritarian parties can only succeed when the pro-democracy parties fail to fight for working people.
We need a new democracy and a new party system which can represent working people.
November 11, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Authoritarianism can only succeed when democracy fails to deliver for working people.
Authoritarian parties can only succeed when the pro-democracy parties fail to fight for working people.
We need a new democracy and a new party system which can represent working people.
Authoritarian parties can only succeed when the pro-democracy parties fail to fight for working people.
We need a new democracy and a new party system which can represent working people.
Reposted by Max Berger
In a functional party system, this kind of capitulation in the face of authoritarianism could mean the end of the Democratic Party.
In our system, it could mean the end of the two party system. Neither party can represent the pro-democracy majority. It's time for something new.
In our system, it could mean the end of the two party system. Neither party can represent the pro-democracy majority. It's time for something new.
November 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
In a functional party system, this kind of capitulation in the face of authoritarianism could mean the end of the Democratic Party.
In our system, it could mean the end of the two party system. Neither party can represent the pro-democracy majority. It's time for something new.
In our system, it could mean the end of the two party system. Neither party can represent the pro-democracy majority. It's time for something new.
In the struggle against authoritarianism, the pro-democracy opposition needs ruthlessly strategic leadership.
Chuck Schumer ain’t it. It’s time for him to resign. We don’t have time for more Schumer Surrenders.
Chuck Schumer ain’t it. It’s time for him to resign. We don’t have time for more Schumer Surrenders.
“If Schumer really wanted to use his considerable influence and leverage to stop this, he could have done that,” a senior Democratic Senate aide tells Zeteo. “He didn’t.”
Furious Liberals Call for Schumer to Step Aside, Senate Dems Mostly Quiet
After their shutdown surrender, liberal lawmakers are begging their base to unite behind them anyway – as Trumpland celebrates that their opposition is a bunch of 'p*ssies.'
zeteo.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:24 AM
In the struggle against authoritarianism, the pro-democracy opposition needs ruthlessly strategic leadership.
Chuck Schumer ain’t it. It’s time for him to resign. We don’t have time for more Schumer Surrenders.
Chuck Schumer ain’t it. It’s time for him to resign. We don’t have time for more Schumer Surrenders.
Reposted by Max Berger
I feel like we're in a weird world where the average Dem partisan, engaged voter is better informed than most of their representatives
seems to me that those democrats inclined not to fight perceive themselves as living through a somewhat ordinary cycle of presidential overreach and backlash and not something much more significant and dangerous
November 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I feel like we're in a weird world where the average Dem partisan, engaged voter is better informed than most of their representatives
On one level, the blame for the Democrats capitulation lies with the incredibly cowardly and stupid elites who won't fight authoritarianism.
On another level, we're seeing the failure of the two party system and the Senate to properly channel the demands of the voters into action in government.
On another level, we're seeing the failure of the two party system and the Senate to properly channel the demands of the voters into action in government.
November 10, 2025 at 5:24 PM
On one level, the blame for the Democrats capitulation lies with the incredibly cowardly and stupid elites who won't fight authoritarianism.
On another level, we're seeing the failure of the two party system and the Senate to properly channel the demands of the voters into action in government.
On another level, we're seeing the failure of the two party system and the Senate to properly channel the demands of the voters into action in government.
Reposted by Max Berger
This deal to reopen the government is fucking disgraceful.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
November 10, 2025 at 12:43 PM
This deal to reopen the government is fucking disgraceful.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
In a functional party system, this kind of capitulation in the face of authoritarianism could mean the end of the Democratic Party.
In our system, it could mean the end of the two party system. Neither party can represent the pro-democracy majority. It's time for something new.
In our system, it could mean the end of the two party system. Neither party can represent the pro-democracy majority. It's time for something new.
November 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
In a functional party system, this kind of capitulation in the face of authoritarianism could mean the end of the Democratic Party.
In our system, it could mean the end of the two party system. Neither party can represent the pro-democracy majority. It's time for something new.
In our system, it could mean the end of the two party system. Neither party can represent the pro-democracy majority. It's time for something new.
This is why we need to change the rules so we can have a multiparty system.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 AM
This is why we need to change the rules so we can have a multiparty system.
Reposted by Max Berger
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The reason people think the Democratic Party doesn't actually stand for anything is because it doesn't.
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 AM
The reason people think the Democratic Party doesn't actually stand for anything is because it doesn't.
Our political system is fundamentally broken. It was not designed to represent the will of the people and it is incapable of doing so today.
The people don't want a king. The people don't want Democrats to surrender. The people don't want only two parties.
The people don't want any of this.
The people don't want a king. The people don't want Democrats to surrender. The people don't want only two parties.
The people don't want any of this.
November 10, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Our political system is fundamentally broken. It was not designed to represent the will of the people and it is incapable of doing so today.
The people don't want a king. The people don't want Democrats to surrender. The people don't want only two parties.
The people don't want any of this.
The people don't want a king. The people don't want Democrats to surrender. The people don't want only two parties.
The people don't want any of this.
There really should be a coordinated effort to force Schumer out as Minority Leader as a result of his failure here.
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 AM
There really should be a coordinated effort to force Schumer out as Minority Leader as a result of his failure here.
This is why we need proportional representation.
Senate reaches deal to extend government funding in major sign shutdown is poised to end | CNN Politics
A critical group of at least eight Senate Democratic centrists has reached a deal with Senate GOP leaders and the White House to reopen the government in exchange for a future vote on extending enhanc...
www.cnn.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:59 AM
This is why we need proportional representation.
The Democratic Party is historically unpopular with its own voters.
Caving to Trump and getting nothing in return will only bring these numbers down further.
It’s a historic failure—and an opportunity to push for changes to the electoral system.
Caving to Trump and getting nothing in return will only bring these numbers down further.
It’s a historic failure—and an opportunity to push for changes to the electoral system.
Democratic Party hits lowest approval in over 30 years: Poll
The only policy areas where Democrats outperform Republicans in the new poll from the Wall Street Journal are health care and vaccine policy.
www.newsweek.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:10 AM
The Democratic Party is historically unpopular with its own voters.
Caving to Trump and getting nothing in return will only bring these numbers down further.
It’s a historic failure—and an opportunity to push for changes to the electoral system.
Caving to Trump and getting nothing in return will only bring these numbers down further.
It’s a historic failure—and an opportunity to push for changes to the electoral system.
Reposted by Max Berger
no one has ever been better than chuck schumer at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
November 9, 2025 at 10:46 PM
no one has ever been better than chuck schumer at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
Reposted by Max Berger
Following up on this. This remains a ‘cave is minutes or hours away’ situation. If you want to impact how this plays out you need to contact senators literally now. I want to add additional points of context. What I’m relaying is what I’ve picked up from highly reliable sources.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Following up on this. This remains a ‘cave is minutes or hours away’ situation. If you want to impact how this plays out you need to contact senators literally now. I want to add additional points of context. What I’m relaying is what I’ve picked up from highly reliable sources.
Reposted by Max Berger
I don't know what the Senate is going to do. But if they do in fact fold in exchange for nothing, they will be living up to past performance. To expect the Senate to carry out the will of the American people is to misunderstand why it was created in the first place.
November 9, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I don't know what the Senate is going to do. But if they do in fact fold in exchange for nothing, they will be living up to past performance. To expect the Senate to carry out the will of the American people is to misunderstand why it was created in the first place.
The two party system is incompatible with democracy.
We must change our electoral system to restore democracy.
We must change our electoral system to restore democracy.
November 9, 2025 at 10:27 PM
The two party system is incompatible with democracy.
We must change our electoral system to restore democracy.
We must change our electoral system to restore democracy.
On some level, you have to admire Chuck Schumer’s deep commitment to absolutely nothing.
November 9, 2025 at 9:56 PM
On some level, you have to admire Chuck Schumer’s deep commitment to absolutely nothing.
Reposted by Max Berger
I'm hearing the same thing. Dems are nearing a surrender. I'm shocked. Largest protest in history + best election night in years + polling showing we're kicking their ass in public opinion. And now Dems may cave.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I'm hearing the same thing. Dems are nearing a surrender. I'm shocked. Largest protest in history + best election night in years + polling showing we're kicking their ass in public opinion. And now Dems may cave.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
All I’m asking is for the millionaires in the Senate to show the same courage in standing up to fascism that regular people are showing in streets every day.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 9:24 PM
All I’m asking is for the millionaires in the Senate to show the same courage in standing up to fascism that regular people are showing in streets every day.
Aspects of our political system which are currently failing and long overdue for reform:
- The two-party system
- The US Senate
- An all-powerful, stand-alone presidency
- A politicized Supreme Court with full veto power over Congress and the executive
- The two-party system
- The US Senate
- An all-powerful, stand-alone presidency
- A politicized Supreme Court with full veto power over Congress and the executive
Take stock of everything that is failing us right now.
When the moment comes, don’t seek to restore + improve those institutions.
We should replace them.
When the moment comes, don’t seek to restore + improve those institutions.
We should replace them.
November 9, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Aspects of our political system which are currently failing and long overdue for reform:
- The two-party system
- The US Senate
- An all-powerful, stand-alone presidency
- A politicized Supreme Court with full veto power over Congress and the executive
- The two-party system
- The US Senate
- An all-powerful, stand-alone presidency
- A politicized Supreme Court with full veto power over Congress and the executive