Comments on: Finally, one Democratic representative gets angry

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:14:02 +0000

Oh Jane, Of course there are huge differences in the ideologies of the parties. Personally, I identify much more closely with the Dems, though certainly not in lock step. I like to think that our differences represent independant thought, but maybe not. There is nothing inherently wrong with honest partisanship or a healthy debate. At it’s best our system requires it. Unfortunately what is happening in government today is neither and it is no better locally than nationally. What we have is power mongering, empire building, deceit, and corruption. All rampant and equally pervasive in both parties.

There is nothing wrong with favoring the party or candidate who best mirrors your views, the problem is when that candidates and parties are utterly lacking in integrity. In poll after poll all across the country Democratic Party ideals and platforms do very well, it’s the politicians that Americans hate, as well they should. I hardly expect you to agree with the overwhelming majority on this, and respect your right to differ but the fact is that most of us think this way.

Partisanship should be about ideals not about winning. It pains me but I would prefer a Republican with integrity to a Democrat without. “Throw all the bums out”, indeed, and then lets elect those with Democratic principals coupled with a bit of honor.

By: Eric Kirk

Eric Kirk — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 23:51:44 +0000

The Christian Science Monitor explains pretty much what happened.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0730/Anthony-Weiner-rant-reveals-why-nobody-likes-Congress

And yes Anonymous, King voted yes. But as the “whip” he only got a handful of his party to vote for it (because they wanted the illegal immigration issue in there). He didn’t even try. That’s the complaint.

It would be interesting to know if any of the first responders were in fact illegal immigrants. That could generate a new narrative on several fronts.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 23:31:19 +0000

KING voted YES !!

Wiener was a complete “Weiner” and anybody that justifies his actions is just another LWFM.

Weiner needs some medication, and to be voted out of office the next time he is up.

This is an example of why several of the leftie/democrates will be losing their seats in congress in November. Good ridence to them and to Obama in 2012.

By: Eric Kirk

Eric Kirk — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:55:20 +0000

Here’s a quote from Bob Brigham of Calitics on the procedure and the significance of the events.

The 2/3 hurdle was to protect the legislation — not from Republicans adding crap, but from Democrats caving in significant enough numbers to enable the GOP to add crap. Even all these years latter, Republicans can say, “9/11″ and laugh as too many Democrats hide under the bed.

What Arshad appears to be doing is not just raising money, but setting the dynamics for all the show votes that will happen after recess. If “they” only hold show votes instead of governing, DFA calls them weak while raising money.

Look at how Marta reacted, Democrats hate it when it is pointed out DC is weak. But that should be the flip side of show votes. Dems don’t have bright line contrast on the bills that have passed, so the attempt here was to manufacture contrast while ensuring the bill wouldn’t pass. It’s cheapness, the contrast should be in how Democrats deliver.

Nobody wants to talk about trying to actually start governing well, they just want magic bullets to continue ruling poorly after the midterms.

The Republicans weren’t to blame in leadership deciding to fight for a campaign issue instead of for first responders. Until there is more backlash like this DFA email, Dems won’t get the fact good policy is good politics. Till then, we’ll get more show votes on great stuff never intended to pass.

By: Plain Jane

Plain Jane — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:32:07 +0000

I get really sick of people jumping on the anti-partisan offensive bandwagon as if there is something faulty in the belief that, as a whole, there are very big differences in ideology and agendas between the two major parties. If it is partisanship to favor the party that works more often than the other for the benefit of working class people, the environment and global justice, go ahead and call me a partisan, but don’t expect me to accept it as an insult.

By: Eric Kirk

Eric Kirk — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:06:04 +0000

The “throw the bums out” meme is generally speaking a blanket response to the intricacies of politics, usually from people who would rather not deal with them. You’ll always hear that there’s a decline in civility in politics, but it’s really cyclical. Nasty politics dates back to the first experiments with democracy. It’s not pretty, and if democracy is working, it really shouldn’t be.

There are distinct political philosophies about policy and the very structure of society, and the conflicts between those views aren’t going to go away no matter how many “bums” you “throw out.”

By: the reasonable anonymous

the reasonable anonymous — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:00:40 +0000

Wow, Karl must be rubbed raw by now!

By: Anon

Anon — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:13:58 +0000

Mitch and Jane, Not everything nor everyone is as partisan as you. Sometimes “throw the assholes out”, means nothing more than throw the assholes out. Personally I think we’d be better off randomly picking replacements from a pool of folks whose only criteria was that they have never held office. Maybe split the positions in thirds between those over 65, between 30 and 65 and under 30. Both would likely mean a Democratic majority. Happy now? The point is that many in all parties feel that the current crop, regardless of denomination, suck and until we all take our blinders off and get past the propaganda and mind set obvious in your responses we will be doomed to accomplish nothing except bickering and failure. Our ability to fail is well established, how about a new approach. Now that would be progressive.

By: Plain Jane

Plain Jane — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:47:34 +0000

Hear, hear, Mitch! Do the math. Throw them all out and replace them with what? With the Democrats currently having the majority, electing the opposition would give the Republicans the majority. Oh happy day! The sad fact is that people (obviously) like their OWN representatives. It’s other people’s they think need to be replaced.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:03:06 +0000

“I want to vote every last one of the current assholes out and start over.”

Part of the Republican strategy, for at least a generation now, has been to hope people are too lazy to sort out the fully-owned corporate slaves from the (few) genuine public servants in Congress.

Every time someone says throw them all out, Karl Rove jerks off.