Comments on: So, What’s Up Congress? Is There Any Courage Left in Washington

By: Hulk

Hulk — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:46:51 +0000

The Majority Strategy: Don’t do anything that might jeopardize the presidency. (that means don’t do anything at all). Once we win and take control of congress and the white house, then we’ll do whatever we want.

The Minority Strategy: Don’t do anything that might jeopardize the presidency and lesson our chance to control congress once again. (that means don’t do anything at all). Once we win and hold on to the white house and possibly take control of congress, then we’ll do whatever we want.

By: Rick Madden

Rick Madden — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:17:26 +0000

Gridlock. Republicans couldn’t do anything (except tax cuts) when they controlled both houses. Democrats haven’t done a thing since they regained control (except stimulus package).
Too much partisanism. Not enough pressure to act. Too much inertia and indifference. Congress has fallen and it can’t get up.

By: SteveMG

SteveMG — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:46:28 +0000

I get a kick out of the people who just think Congress will snap its fingers and things happen. I also get a kick out of the people who assume that everybody’s voting on party lines. Talk about uninformed statements! The Democratic majority in the Senate is in the hands of a man who hasn’t voted all year because of a brain hemmorage, and another (Joe Lieberman) who isn’t a Democrat and they are lucky that he is even caucusing with them. It’s not a majorith that they can do anything with. In the House, the Democrats had to run non-traditional candidates (not party line walkers) in order to get a majority there. If everybody voted the party line, than the Democrats would be able to run their investigations, and they would be able to vote against the President. The Republicans are voting the party line, but the Democrats aren’t, hence the stalemate.

By: Formerly Jim

Formerly Jim — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:27:04 +0000

Leo,
Sorry about the speaker. I was asleep at the wheel there. Most of the plum positions are the result of the seniority system. Freshmen don’t get much. You seem to get credit and better committee spots by weathering elections.
And Byrd may be beyond seniority.
You’re right about the “leaders”. They are beyond tone deaf.
It’s time to clean House (and Senate)!

By: Leo Bloom

Leo Bloom — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:36:21 +0000

Formerly Jim, it’s not seniority. The Speaker of the House is elected by the representatives. And Byrd from West Virginia has been in the Senate longer than Reid has. Someone in Washington D.C. elected these tone-deaf “leaders” to their leadership positions

By: Jim P., Philadelphia, PA

Jim P., Philadelphia, PA — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:35:53 +0000

I agree with both Larry and formerly Jim (#4). They suck, and it is our fault. Term limits are built in by way of having to be elected to another term. I like to be able to ratify an elected official that is doing well, and fire one that isn’t. If Nutter does half the job I think he will, then I want him for the next 30 years.

I am so tired of “they” this, and “they” that. There is no “they”. It is us, for we put them in office, we keep them in office. Sometimes I think people don’t vote or vote their party line because they like to complain. The buck doesn’t stop with elected officials, primarily because it is our buck, and subsequently our responsiblity. People really need to realize that, otherwise it will continue to be a government of the few, by the few and for the few.

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:42:40 +0000

Larry , you know why congress is so timid and unresponsive? The media scrutiny has made our leadership gun shy. They won’t act until a poll has been taken or an idea has been run up the flagpole for indications of which way the political winds are blowing. Making a simple mistake can be career ending if enough press is given to the matter. Look at Hillary and her plagiarism accusation. If it has legs she will beat it to death using the media coverage. Who can work in that kind of atmosphere? I want our representatives in government to have fun and enjoy themselves. You know, like the creative minds at Google and Yahoo. Let’s get rid of all those desks in the Senate and replace them with foosball and pool tables. Maybe put in a juice bar and gigantic screen TV. That way everyone on the floor can interact and not be restricted by their political affiliation. A healthy exchange of ideas may occur. What have we got to lose?
I say let’s get on this right away, but first let’s take a poll and then run it by some constituents to see if this has any merit.

By: other, other Jim

other, other Jim — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:38:13 +0000

I’m with Rick…they are the poster children for why term limits are neccessary. 2 terms for Senate, 3 terms for Congress. And cut back on the pension perks for those terms.

By: Formerly Jim

Formerly Jim — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:34:03 +0000

Rick, Pat, Leo,
You are all disenchanted enough to begin making the difference. Vote them out. We have a term limit provision in place now – it’s the election. The problem is that it’s always the OTHER congressman that is no good, never mine. None of those folks are in there by executive order, we put them there and we have the right and the obligation to displace them when they become ineffective.
BTW, Pelosi and Reid are there by virtue if seniority.

By: Leo Bloom

Leo Bloom — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:07:04 +0000

Pelosi and Reid are making one bad call after another. How did these two end up as the leaders of the House and Senate? Surely there are Dems with a better read on strategy, who might actually advance the party’s agenda. They’re wasting their opportunity to show that Democrats are poised to lead and provide direction.