ProfJohn
Lifer
- Jul 28, 2006
- 18,161
- 7
- 0
BTW: with this Foley thing the Republicans will be lucky as hell to hold the house. I still think the senate is safe, at the best it could end up being tied.
Some are saying that no mater who wins it will be so close that nothing will happen for the next 2 years, not a bad thing in my view.
Some are saying that no mater who wins it will be so close that nothing will happen for the next 2 years, not a bad thing in my view.
Completely agree with you there, Prof. In my view, the best thing that could happen to Congress is if it closed down for a while.
judasmachine
Diamond Member
- Sep 15, 2002
- 8,515
- 3
- 81
Lemon law
Lifer
- Nov 6, 2005
- 20,984
- 3
- 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I completely disagree with the last point----the precise problem we now have is that the US Congress has ceased to be a force in our constitutional form of government---and merely rubber stamps every brainfart King GWB has as the GOP goosesteps towards dictatorship.
A more balanced congress will act as that check in a national system of checks and balances---and hopefully stop this current insanity.
I saw a spot on the news this morning and they showed a short clip of a Dem political ad that said "The only way to implement change is to vote for change".
Anything can happen with a month till the election, but I smell a BIG upset. IMO, it's long overdue and would have already happened if it wasn't for all the lying coming out of the GOP spin machine.
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,333
- 136
I'd say the Democrat's challenge is well spelled out for them. If they win next month but don't follow the advice in this article, I predict an ugly 2008. OTOH, they also have the opportunity to break out of the partisan mold and set an example by which they could lead American politics for decades to come. Are they up to the challenge? If the usual "democrat" poster here on ATPN were typical of democrats across the country, I'd say no. 
Moving us beyond the era of arrogance: How the Democrats can step up
By David Ignatius
Friday, October 6, 2006; Page A23
It's too late for the Democrats to forge coherent positions on Iraq or tax policy before the November elections. But fortune has presented them with a mission that can be summed up in a simple sentence: They must be the party of accountability and reform.
The pollsters report that nearly two-thirds of the country now believes that America is heading in the wrong direction. The events of the past several weeks offer a devastating argument for the Democrats of why that is so. With the Republicans in control of the executive and legislative branches, arrogance has become a way of life. In a series of widely disparate cases -- from ignoring the ethics problems of former House majority leader Tom DeLay to refusing recommendations to fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to covering up the egregious conduct of Rep. Mark Foley -- the Republican leadership's instinct has been political self-protection rather than accountability and effective government.
The Democrats are talking about a culture of corruption in Washington, but what are they going to do about it? That's the question Democrats should address over the next month if they want a mandate for change. If they win the House of Representatives, will the Democrats embark on a two-year binge of investigations and score-settling? Or will they get serious about solving the country's problems?
The challenge for the Democrats, if they do triumph in November, will be to break out of the partisan straitjacket that constricts American politics. That has been the real inner demon of the Republicans -- they appeared to care more about their party and its prerogatives than about the country's welfare. The Democrats, in recent years, have drunk deep from that same poisoned chalice, and they need to stop.
The Democrats' first priority next year should be ethics reforms that address the gross misconduct that surfaced in the DeLay and Jack Abramoff scandals. They should start by seeking GOP co-sponsorship for new legislation on lobbying and campaign finance. The Republicans will try to paint Democrats in the next Congress as liberal fanatics bent on revenge. The Democrats should answer with a spirit of bipartisanship -- an offer to work with the Republicans on effective oversight of the executive branch and congressional reform. If a Democratic victory in November becomes an exercise in "payback," the public rightly will be angry.
To see how far the Republicans have strayed from accountability, it's useful to recall their response to the DeLay scandal. At every opportunity, they tried to evade, obstruct and bully. When the House ethics committee admonished DeLay in late 2004 for ethics violations, the GOP leaders stonewalled. First they changed the Republican caucus rules so that DeLay could remain as leader even if he was later indicted. The leaders were forced to back down on that one, but they then fired the conscientious Rep. Joel Hefley as chairman of the ethics committee and purged two other Republican members and several staffers. The effect was to gut the committee, which didn't function at all during 2005.
Even after the Abramoff influence-peddling investigation brought a string of indictments, the GOP-controlled Congress failed to pass lobbying reforms. "These are the worst congressional scandals in three decades, and Congress has done absolutely nothing about it," argues Fred Wertheimer, president of the campaign watchdog group Democracy 21.
The case of Rumsfeld partakes of the same circle-the-wagons spirit that has sapped the GOP. Rumsfeld should have resigned after the Abu Ghraib scandal in mid-2004. (Imagine what that signal of accountability might have done to help America's image.) But by early this year, it was obvious even to those in the Bush White House that Rumsfeld had to go. They were moving to ease him out this spring when a parade of retired generals called publicly for his resignation. I'm told that the White House, fearful of being seen as caving in to pressure, backed off at that point and left Rumsfeld in place.
And now we have the Foley scandal, which, even by Washington standards, is a remarkable piece of hypocrisy and cronyism. For at least a year senior House Republicans knew or should have known that Foley had inappropriate communications with House pages. They did nothing -- and the only possible explanation is that they were afraid of political damage. Indeed, they allowed Foley to remain co-chairman of the House caucus on missing and exploited children until the day his revolting messages were disclosed.
The Democrats will benefit from the GOP meltdown to the extent that they offer the country a genuine alternative: In place of scandal, reform; in place of partisanship, cooperation; in place of arrogance, accountability.
Moving us beyond the era of arrogance: How the Democrats can step up
By David Ignatius
Friday, October 6, 2006; Page A23
It's too late for the Democrats to forge coherent positions on Iraq or tax policy before the November elections. But fortune has presented them with a mission that can be summed up in a simple sentence: They must be the party of accountability and reform.
The pollsters report that nearly two-thirds of the country now believes that America is heading in the wrong direction. The events of the past several weeks offer a devastating argument for the Democrats of why that is so. With the Republicans in control of the executive and legislative branches, arrogance has become a way of life. In a series of widely disparate cases -- from ignoring the ethics problems of former House majority leader Tom DeLay to refusing recommendations to fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to covering up the egregious conduct of Rep. Mark Foley -- the Republican leadership's instinct has been political self-protection rather than accountability and effective government.
The Democrats are talking about a culture of corruption in Washington, but what are they going to do about it? That's the question Democrats should address over the next month if they want a mandate for change. If they win the House of Representatives, will the Democrats embark on a two-year binge of investigations and score-settling? Or will they get serious about solving the country's problems?
The challenge for the Democrats, if they do triumph in November, will be to break out of the partisan straitjacket that constricts American politics. That has been the real inner demon of the Republicans -- they appeared to care more about their party and its prerogatives than about the country's welfare. The Democrats, in recent years, have drunk deep from that same poisoned chalice, and they need to stop.
The Democrats' first priority next year should be ethics reforms that address the gross misconduct that surfaced in the DeLay and Jack Abramoff scandals. They should start by seeking GOP co-sponsorship for new legislation on lobbying and campaign finance. The Republicans will try to paint Democrats in the next Congress as liberal fanatics bent on revenge. The Democrats should answer with a spirit of bipartisanship -- an offer to work with the Republicans on effective oversight of the executive branch and congressional reform. If a Democratic victory in November becomes an exercise in "payback," the public rightly will be angry.
To see how far the Republicans have strayed from accountability, it's useful to recall their response to the DeLay scandal. At every opportunity, they tried to evade, obstruct and bully. When the House ethics committee admonished DeLay in late 2004 for ethics violations, the GOP leaders stonewalled. First they changed the Republican caucus rules so that DeLay could remain as leader even if he was later indicted. The leaders were forced to back down on that one, but they then fired the conscientious Rep. Joel Hefley as chairman of the ethics committee and purged two other Republican members and several staffers. The effect was to gut the committee, which didn't function at all during 2005.
Even after the Abramoff influence-peddling investigation brought a string of indictments, the GOP-controlled Congress failed to pass lobbying reforms. "These are the worst congressional scandals in three decades, and Congress has done absolutely nothing about it," argues Fred Wertheimer, president of the campaign watchdog group Democracy 21.
The case of Rumsfeld partakes of the same circle-the-wagons spirit that has sapped the GOP. Rumsfeld should have resigned after the Abu Ghraib scandal in mid-2004. (Imagine what that signal of accountability might have done to help America's image.) But by early this year, it was obvious even to those in the Bush White House that Rumsfeld had to go. They were moving to ease him out this spring when a parade of retired generals called publicly for his resignation. I'm told that the White House, fearful of being seen as caving in to pressure, backed off at that point and left Rumsfeld in place.
And now we have the Foley scandal, which, even by Washington standards, is a remarkable piece of hypocrisy and cronyism. For at least a year senior House Republicans knew or should have known that Foley had inappropriate communications with House pages. They did nothing -- and the only possible explanation is that they were afraid of political damage. Indeed, they allowed Foley to remain co-chairman of the House caucus on missing and exploited children until the day his revolting messages were disclosed.
The Democrats will benefit from the GOP meltdown to the extent that they offer the country a genuine alternative: In place of scandal, reform; in place of partisanship, cooperation; in place of arrogance, accountability.
ProfJohn
Lifer
- Jul 28, 2006
- 18,161
- 7
- 0
Vic, when the Republicans took over in 1994 they were non-partisan for at most 2 years or so. They really did some good work in the first year changing a lot of the rules in congress and such and really lead the drive to balance the budget. Since then they have gone back to being politicians.
I don't see the Democrats being non-partisan for two minutes. I predict that if we see clearly see a change in power on election night some of the biggest lefties in congress will be talking about what they are going to do in their victory speeches.
To bad Tom, Dan and Peter are no longer sitting behind the big desks at the big 3 networks. I would love to see their reaction to a Democrat take over since in 1994 they looked like their favorite uncle had died as they announced one Republican victory after another.
I don't see the Democrats being non-partisan for two minutes. I predict that if we see clearly see a change in power on election night some of the biggest lefties in congress will be talking about what they are going to do in their victory speeches.
To bad Tom, Dan and Peter are no longer sitting behind the big desks at the big 3 networks. I would love to see their reaction to a Democrat take over since in 1994 they looked like their favorite uncle had died as they announced one Republican victory after another.
Lemon law
Lifer
- Nov 6, 2005
- 20,984
- 3
- 0
Now the democratic rallying cry is that we will drain the GOP swamp---a variant on the contract with America which swept the GOP into power in 1994. And maybe the dems will get another chance to be the next party to become reinfested with lobbyists.
Until we address the issue of keeping money out of politics---it won't matter which party is in power---they will both be corrupt---and those that offer the biggest bribes will call the tune.
Until we address the issue of keeping money out of politics---it won't matter which party is in power---they will both be corrupt---and those that offer the biggest bribes will call the tune.
- Aug 4, 2000
- 29,544
- 2,219
- 126
Why exactly are you making bold pronouncements before the polls even close? You can't possibly know that, and will look very dumb if and when you are wrong.
- Aug 4, 2000
- 29,544
- 2,219
- 126
Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Im afraid the Republicans keep both houses tonight. Better luck next time Dems.
always hurts worse when you get your fingers caught in the pinchy part of the door, and someone behind you says "told you not to do that".
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Heh. You know it's true.
You'll see before 2008. Yesterday was a loss for extremists on both sides of the spectrum.
Oh come on, The Sea of Blue is killing you
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,333
- 136
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Heh. You know it's true.
You'll see before 2008. Yesterday was a loss for extremists on both sides of the spectrum.
Oh come on, The Sea of Blue is killing you
Right... which explains why I was voting Democrat when you were voting for Reagan and Bush Sr.... and why I was against the Iraq "War" while you still believed in the WMD's... :roll:
You lost your scapegoat yesterday, Dave. Who are you going to pin all your CT's on now?
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