Senate Conservatives Aggressively Obstructing Critical Legislation
Senate Conservatives Aggressively Obstructing Critical Legislation
Senate conservatives in the 110th Congress are obstructing and blocking legislation at a rate more than double that of the past two Congresses combined.
During the first six months of the current Congress, there have been 13 cloture votes on motions to proceed — “each one wasting days of Senate time.” In comparison, there were just four cloture votes on motions to proceed during the the first sessions of the 108th and 109th Congresses combined.
The result: The House of Representatives has passed 239 pieces of legislation during the 110th Congress yet few have made it through the Senate, with conservatives “objecting to just about every major piece of legislation” that Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has tried to bring up.
Watch a video highlighting their obstruction:
The legislation being blocked by right-wing senators has broad public support:
– Conservatives blocked debate on raising the minimum wage (54-43, Roll Call Vote #23)
– Conservatives blocked debate ethics reforms (Rejected 51-46, Roll Call Vote #16)
– Conservatives blocked debate on funding for renewable energy (Rejected 57-36, Roll Call Vote #223)
– Conservatives blocked a vote on funding for the intelligence community (Rejected 41-40, Roll Call Vote #130)
– Conservatives delayed legislation fulfilling the 9/11 Commission recommendations (Passed 97-0, Roll Call Vote #53)
In April, Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-MS) acknowledged, “The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail… so far it’s working for us.” It just isn’t working for the American people.
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Any decent Dem. or other than (R) candidate in 2008, would hammer on these facts over and over.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:21 pmThat’s all they know…….
They can’t possibly do anything to help the country, they are there simply to destroy America.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:21 pmThis is the strategy. It been so from the beginning.
They want to obstruct all the good legislation that even their own constituents want (see the decrease in the big oil subsidies) and then they will paint the Democrats as the party that can’t get things done, even though they will know the only reason those things didn’t get done is because they blocked everything.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:22 pmWhere’s our Joan of Arc when we need her?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:22 pm“Where’s our Joan of Arc when we need her?
Comment by Not Canadian — June 27, 2007 @ 3:22 pm”
I would rather have a half dozen Oswalds……
June 27th, 2007 at 3:23 pmIt’s news to you folks that Harry Reid is not getting anything done?
Here’s news for you, Harry Reid is as corrupt and contemptible as any other DC career politician. I can personally attest to the fact that he takes bribes. The FBI is not interested in these facts and neither are you. Instead you just keep cheering him on and then scratching your head about why nothing real gets done.
You are being fooled. You have been exposed to the truth. So now you cannot claim ignorance.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:25 pm“It just isn’t working for the American people”.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:25 pmWow, what a statement. It’s a good thing Americans care as little as they do to know what their government is or is not doing for them, or that statement would be an outrage.
C’mon, America wake up!
This bunch of fools learned democracy from Cheney, the biggest obstructionist in history.
Worst. Party. Ever.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:27 pmYes, but why did the Democrats in Congress NOT do the same for the past 6 years? They could have blocked crap like the Patriot Act and Bankruptcy Reform Bill, but NO they acted like cowards.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:27 pmFighting the good fight.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:27 pmWe should have Democrats on every major talk show with copies of Trent’s statement. Indeed, isn’t there an earlier statement by a Republican political leader stating that they would purposefully obstruct Congress to deny Democrats any substantive legislative accomplishments for 2008?
This should be a statement made by every Democrat. They should be armed to show how many more times these procedural moves have been used by the Republicans. Move-on and other organizations should be running ads in local markets of at risk Republicans. The argument must be made that Republicans would rather destroy the country than give up power.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:28 pm“They could have blocked crap like the Patriot Act and Bankruptcy Reform Bill, but NO they acted like cowards.
Comment by Jay Randal — June 27, 2007 @ 3:27 pm”
I ask myself that same question everyday……
I am glad that I am an Independant……
June 27th, 2007 at 3:29 pm#6 - “I can personally attest to the fact that he takes bribes.” Comment by Fed the Fcuk Up! — June 27, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
You do realize that you’ve just implicated yourself in these bribe allegations.
The law concerning bribes is vague on purpose. Just acknowledging that you know about them means you’re complicit unless you’re a member of law enforcement in the act of gathering evidence.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:30 pmDemocrats in DC before the last election claimed that as a minority party they were unable to stop anything > liars. The GOPers as a minority party are stopping all kinds of things.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:31 pmStupid Shrub couldn’t define amnesty. He doesn’t have a f*cking clue what he’s doing with this legislation (nothing new).
Hell, even my Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) tabled the bill with an amendment which would have recquired the head of each household to return to Mexico until they get a new visa.
Senate kills bids to make legalization more difficult for unlawful immigrants
June 27th, 2007 at 3:31 pmI am glad that I am an Independant
Yeah. Naderites like you got us GWB in 2000. Glad indeed.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:31 pm“I can personally attest…” Oh, well if you can personally attest then of course I believe he’s corrupt, so case closed there.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:31 pmI wonder why they choose to obstruct everything but that crappy immigration bill.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:32 pmYou’re glad you’re independent? WTF does that mean? Does that somehow negate all teh bad shit thats happened in the last 6 years.
As citizens, we are all complicit in the wrongdoing of our government. We are all torturers. We are our goverment. We are the good Germans. In 50 years people will shake their heads and say “why didn’t the people do something?”
June 27th, 2007 at 3:33 pmCT V_1: Because we can hang it on the dems in 2008.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:33 pmHA!!! Apparently, obstruction worked out for the Democrats and their VERY hateful allies on the left.
You reap what you sow, TP.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:34 pmI wonder why they choose to obstruct everything but that crappy immigration bill.
Comment by CT V_1
They think it will get them re-elected.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:34 pm#13,
Upon learning of the bribe I resigned my position with the entity/individual doing the “bribing” and informed the FBI. Nothing has happened.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:34 pmHA!!! Apparently, obstruction worked out for the Democrats and their VERY hateful allies on the left.
You reap what you sow, TP.
Comment by Elizabeth Edwards is An Attack Dog
Read the post, moron.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:35 pmGood!
June 27th, 2007 at 3:36 pmPink Prostate:
Don’t you EVER READ? Or is it a comprehension problem?
“Both amendments were designed to respond to conservatives who decry President Bush’s immigration bill as a form of amnesty.”
This will hang on Shrub’s neck for ETERNITY, not the Dems!
June 27th, 2007 at 3:36 pm#19,
Glad to see that you see the light. Unfortunately I can tell you that you are going find most here willingly stay in the dark.
Progressive indeed.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:36 pmRight (#9), not only that but the repubs kept crying for ‘up or down votes’ and now they don’t do that.
This kind of thing also points out how the “MSM” is not liberally biased or they would spotlight all the republican moves that resemble the tantrums of two-year-olds.
Those ‘conservatives’ are probably really happy that they didn’t abolish the filibuster, too. F&*CKING HYPOCRITS!
June 27th, 2007 at 3:37 pm“Upon learning of the bribe…”
Let me guess, one of your superiors told you one night while having a couple of cold ones?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:37 pmGOP = Grand Obstructionist Party (and they’re proud of it too)
June 27th, 2007 at 3:37 pm#21,
Your naiveté is astounding.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:38 pmComment by Elizabeth Edwards is An Attack Dog
Cute…does that make Coulter an attack bitch?
You’re defending Coulter against Edwards? The same transvestite who said she wishes terrorists would kill him?
Nice values. With people like you, who needs enemas?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:39 pm#21,
Your naiveté is astounding.
Comment by Fed the Fcuk Up
NO SH*T! GOD FORBID a Democan’t take a bribe or be corrupt! IT’S IMPOSSIBLE??!?!?!?!!!?!
June 27th, 2007 at 3:40 pm#30,
I was the Corporate Controller and addressed the issue with the CFO at the corporate office.
Maybe in Texas everything is done over a beer during a hunting party, but not in the real world.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:40 pmThis will hang on Shrub’s neck for ETERNITY, not the Dems!
No it wont. If the bill is passed, it will be passed with the dems in control of the house. Therefore it can be hanged on dems.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:40 pmAND THIS WOULD BE THE REAL REASON CONGRESS HAS A LOW APPROVAL RATING. MOST AMERICANS DON’T EVEN KNOW THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A SLIGHT MAJORITY. IN FACT MOST AMERICANS DIDN’T EVEN VOTE.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:41 pmTherefore it can be hanged on dems.
Comment by Think Prostate —
DREAM ON!
This bill in this form won’t make it through the House.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:42 pmGiven the Bush policies of the last several years, it’s too bad the Democrats didn’t obstruct more.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:42 pm“Yeah. Naderites like you got us GWB in 2000. Glad indeed.
Comment by TruthToPower — June 27, 2007 @ 3:31 pm”
Being independant does NOT mean voting for ANYONE but R or D…….
It means that if a candidate, no matter their affiliation, meets the majority of my views I vote for them.
Perhaps YOU have a different DEFINITION of what independant means, but to me it means NOT being attached to a party. NOTHING ELSE.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:43 pmI don’t know if anyone is watching CSPAN-2 right now, the GOP is throwing a hissy fit like I’ve never seen in the Senate. Back when the immigration bill came out, they were asked for amendments and no one had any, so they moved forward. THEN the blocking began by introducing something like 30 amendments that would stall the bill indefinitely. So apparently Reid said, we will do the amendments en masse, and split them into groups. Well, that would move the the Bill forward, something the GOP doesn’t want. All pretty confusing, but it’s fun to watch the pubbies in action.
Aside from the fun, I have called my Republican senator and expressed my disgust with the Republican tactics, made purely by political desires meant to embarrass Reid and the Democrats. The majority of Americans want immigration legislation.
These procedural votes make me crazy. Tyranny of the minority!
June 27th, 2007 at 3:45 pmThe last few Supreme Court decisions prove that the Dems should have filibustered. The on going debacle in Iraq make it clear they shuld have refused to fund the occupation without withdrawal, and the failure of the Employee Free Choice Act while immigration reform (yea a legal underclass) make it clear that refuse to consider the interests of working people.
The long and the short of it folks is that it is going to take a popular movement to right the American ship of state, and not politicians.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:47 pmFed,
Your “real world” is one in where to save face and feel good about yourselves you have to assert that “they do it too”. I understand. It’s the last gasp of the disenchantment of losing former hero’s.
It may be true that Ried is a criminal but I’ll need more than a posting on a message board to convince me. Now, as for the GOPers routinely going to jail of late I’ve gotta say it’s pretty convincing that they’re a bunch of crooks.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:48 pmIt means that if a candidate, no matter their affiliation, meets the majority of my views I vote for them.
And that’s where you people go wrong. In our de facto two-party system not voting D means voting R.
It doesn’t matter if you voted R, Green, Libertarian or some fringe party like the Socialists, you’re still an accomplice to what has happened to this country.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:48 pmOh, I have to amend my post. The Leadership has agreed to consider 27 amendments, so I don’t know how many there were originally. Still, 27 amendments, made purely for the purpose of muddying up the process.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:49 pmAnd the “liberal Media” is telling us what about the actions of the republicans in congress?? NOT A DAMN THING!!! Democrats in congress need to get on these cable talk show and drive this information home.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:49 pmAnd this my friends is why Congress has such a low rating. Not because the Democrats are in control (barely). I think that Nanci Pelosi and Harry Reid should announce that they will no longer try to pass legislation and will spend the remainder of Bush’s term investigating and prosecuting the crimes committed by Bush & Company.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:49 pmFed,
By the way your “real world” is run by Texans….HELLO!
June 27th, 2007 at 3:50 pmIt’s time ti start sending these congressional f*cktards their pink slips.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:50 pm“I can personally attest to the fact that he takes bribes.”
Oh really, and you have given a bribe to Harry Reid? I’m sure the feds would love to hear about that.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:50 pmAnd just this morning on CSPAN, a Republican Congressperson stood up and spewed venom about how little progress the Democratic Congress was making since thay had taken over. These punks sure like to play games, don’t they.
Un. Freeking. Be. Lieveable.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:51 pm#5
Assassination is progressive? Well, alrite.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:52 pmTherefore it can be hanged on dems.
Comment by EVERY Republican
I know republicans that literally hang everything on the Democrats. Even things that Democrats had NOTHING to do with, like most of the first Bush’s presidency. (Somehow the Democrats are to blame for not taking Bhagdad when they had the chance in ‘91, even though it was GWBush who made that decision {or was it Cheney?}).
The only thing republicans do well is blaming the Democrats for EVERYTHING.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:54 pmWhat a bunch of nonsense, TP.
Reid has been brain-washed by the Islamist-Left, his pro-Muslim agenda is probably all over that legislation.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:55 pmWhy are Democrats so ineffective at playing the “give ‘em a fair up or down vote” line?
It’s time for the Dems to call the GOP on this BS. Pick a bill — something that will resonate with the public — and let the GOP gp ahead and filibuster for a week or two, having their obstructionism appear on the evening news every day. Let the people understand why nothing gets done and who is doing the obstructing.
I don’t understand why the mere threat of a filibuster is enough to force a cloture vote every time. Make them work for it, at least when that work is disgraceful enough (stem cells, Gonzales vote, etc..) to shame the GOP away from using this tactic so often.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:55 pmBond is one of those obstructionist from my state. I’ve written and called and to no avail. Seems I just have to endure him while trying to help to get him defeated in the next election. Like many, I just feel powerless to stop these self-righteous obstuctionist known as republicans from fulfilling their mission of trying to prove that government does not work. I believe they only get elected by promising to protect the interests of the wealthy. They impede, block, stall, and obstruct at every turn. Like Holy water to a vampire, oversight and accountability sends them screaming into the night, but they make pork spending and bribery by donation all nice and legal. Republican is just another term for a criminal that hasn’t been caught yet. They don’t care about the good of the country or the troops or any other such non-materialistic ideology except in terms of how it protects and progresses the agenda of the corporations and the wealthy.
They are the party of hypocrisy who consider themselves above the rule of law. When they don’t get their way then they try to make sure no one else will get their’s either. They have no integrity and deserve no respect. Obstructionism is just a matter of course with them.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:55 pmThe GOP Motto: “Rule And/Or Ruin”.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:55 pm#47,
Nope. Only Texans are stupid enough to believe that a rich kid from CT and an Ivy League education can move there and all of a sudden become a life-long resident with a drawl. Sorry, but it must be something in your water.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:56 pmNuclear option. From the control freaks that brought you record defecits and record debt. There’s no debate as to who controlled all three branches of government during what will come to be known as “The Reign of the Incompetents”.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:56 pmThe only thing republicans do well is blaming the Democrats for EVERYTHING.
Comment by Bob
And f*cking up everything they touch.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:57 pmThen blaming Dems for f*cking it up.
As I’ve said many times, this is why Congress’ approval ratings are so low. The blame lies squarely on the right wing ideologue Repubs who have thwarted the Democratic agenda, which btw Americans strongly support.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:57 pmIf the Democrats were to play this in an intelligent way, they’d be airing commercials in all of these obstructionist Repub’s districts informing the citizenry why the laws they want enacted aren’t getting passed.
The Repubs went from being the world’s biggest rubberstampers to being the world’s biggest obstructionists so fast they all have whiplash and are looking for trial lawyers.
Remember when we sent those Repub jerks boxes of rubberstamps?
Well, now we should send them all neck braces they can wear from the whiplash.
Harry Reid does suck. Just an opinion I’ve formed from lack of anything getting done. Dems can do more stuff, they are just cowards, or bought off like the rest.
Reid doesn’t even have a commanding presence.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:59 pm#42,
I don’t care what you do with the information, that’s your responsibility and choice.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:59 pm#49,
Another naive child.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:01 pm“I can personally attest to the fact that he takes bribes.†Comment by Fed the Fcuk Up!
Have a question before I call BS on that statement
June 27th, 2007 at 4:03 pmGot proof?
I’d like to see it.
Probably the FBI would like to see it as well
Fed,
Never said he was a life-long resident. Try to form an argument without making up shit.
Aside from Googling statistics realize that most of the White House has very strong Texas ties, retard
June 27th, 2007 at 4:03 pmCT V_1: Because we can hang it on the dems in 2008.
Comment by Think Prostate — June 27, 2007 @ 3:33 pm
Man! You’re so cool! if I was a teenage girl, I’d be crushin’ on you - big time! Hang it on the dems! We can set them up! Awesome!
What else you got?
June 27th, 2007 at 4:05 pmTax payer money at work…
June 27th, 2007 at 4:06 pmThis will never make main stream media…
Would make a nice ad for election ‘08.
#64,
Yes, I have the evidence. The FBI has not responded (it’s been 4 years), seems that they are too busy spying on you.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:06 pm#62,
You have first hand specific information about a crime and What to do with that information is my responsibility?
June 27th, 2007 at 4:06 pmFed, your right about rich kid from CT. Remember one thing, he not a Texans, just a want a be. One more thing, He was Dead Beat Here In TEXAS and Still A Dead Beat in Washington.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:07 pmLooks like the basis of a good series of TV ads this summer and fall in states where GOP Senators are up for reelection.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:09 pmIndeed, isn’t there an earlier statement by a Republican political leader stating that they would purposefully obstruct Congress to deny Democrats any substantive legislative accomplishments for 2008?
Comment by JMOHR — June 27, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
I remember reading this too. I’m trying to place where I saw it, and who said it.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:10 pmThe FBI has not responded (it’s been 4 years), seems that they are too busy spying on you.
Comment by Fed the Fcuk Up!
funny, for some reason I expected a non-answer like that.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:10 pmI just got done watching Howard Zinn’s “You can’t be neutral.”
Inspiring.
The reason I say this is because one of his points is that change does not happen in the Congress. It does not happen in the WH.
It happens with us, the American people. We need to demand more. Stand up to what’s not right.
Please, rent it, Netflix it, whatever. Then let’s all get together and act.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:12 pm#65,
I’m not the one making “sh*t” up, I’m just providing facts.
So, perhaps you should modify your claim that the “real world is run by Texans” to meet the facts. Here, let me help:
The real world is being manipulated by an organized crime force, many of whose members currently reside in Texas because that is the only state in the Union that lacks the moral fortitude and intelligence to keep them out.
Glad I could help.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:13 pmYou’ve been paying waaaaaay too much attention to The Joker’s posts. I guess propaganda - no matter how bizarre - works on the weak-minded. try reading posts by other people once in a while.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:13 pmRemoveBush,
I’m not a Democrat either, but I don’t think I’d ever vote for a Republican again as long as I live. Which is why I almost always vote Democrat.
I happen to agree with your posts. Especially your second one re: Joan of Arc.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:13 pmHere is an interesting point to ponder on a hot summer day.
What if the present members of Congress were told not to return to
June 27th, 2007 at 4:16 pmWashington after their upcoming summer vacation. ” Take the rest of their term off ” so to speak. Don’t come back until after the next
election. Would the country be better off? worse off? or no significant difference at all ?
Never noticed that before (the drawl, and other old-west affectations). He’s acting. He’s doing the same thing he was doing when he was 6 years old (the era of the Lone Ranger, Cisco Kid, and many other western-themed, kid-oriented shows). That’s very interesting - even for a known sociopath.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:17 pm“I’m not a Democrat either, but I don’t think I’d ever vote for a Republican again as long as I live. Which is why I almost always vote Democrat.
I happen to agree with your posts. Especially your second one re: Joan of Arc.
Comment by Lily — June 27, 2007 @ 4:13 pm”
Well, there are just a couple that I would consider……
Ron Paul is one off the top of my head that I would and could vote for……
He is a man that stands for the CONSTITUTION……
There are very few, but there are some that I would vote for….
Mostly though, like you I vote Democrat.
Given the tight race coming up, I will vote that way still just to ensure the Repubs don’t get back into office……
June 27th, 2007 at 4:18 pma talking point for the 2008 election: Rid us of obstructionist Republicants!
June 27th, 2007 at 4:19 pmSo what do we have here… Republics are obstructionists and objectionists.
I object to boy Bush being appointed president of the United States by the Supreme Court in 2000. I object to shooter Cheney’s resistence to oversight. I object to traitor Rove not going to trial for his acts of treason. I object to fighting an illegal war in Iraq. I object to the dismantling of the clean air and clean water acts. I object to the removal of habeas corpus. I object to the trashing of our Constitution by this White House, etc… and the list can go on and on….
In fact, I object to the very existence of the Republican party.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:19 pmThe difference between Democrats and Republicans is stunning.
As you may recall, the last Congress–the one we threw out–did less than the “Do Nothing” Congress.
By contrast, here are a few of the things the Dems have already done–and getting no credit in the media, of course:
Reacting to the Office of the Vice President’s assertion that it is not an “entity within the executive branch,†Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) announced that he will introduce an amendment to cut off funding to Cheney’s office.
House To Bush Admin: Comply With Subpoenas Or Face Contempt
Senate Judiciary Committee Issues Subpoenas For NSA Domestic Spying Documents
John Conyers (D-MI) announced the launch of a new web page, to respond to the growing number of current and former Justice Department career lawyers and other employees raising concerns about politicization in the Department.†The page “provides a secure method for DOJ employees to communicate what they know to Committee investigators.†See the page HERE.
Congress to investigate Bush’s signing statements.
Congress Passes Major Gun Control Legislation in over a decade, spurred by the Virginia Tech campus killings and buttressed by National Rifle Association help. The bill improves state reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to stop gun purchases by people, including criminals and those adjudicated as mentally ill.
Senior House Democrats threatened Thursday to issue subpoenas to obtain secret legal opinions†and other Justice Dept. documents related to the NSA’s warrantless domestic surveillance program, “the most aggressive action yet by Congress in its oversight of the…program.
Senate Judiciary Committee announced it was preparing to approve legislation to restore habeas corpus on Thursday.
House oversight committee is expanding its investigation “into ties between jailed GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the White House
The House plans to trigger another veto showdown with President Bush this week by clearing legislation that would expand federally funded embryonic stem cell research.
The Senate Armed Services Commitee has passed legislation “that would grant new rights to terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, including access to a lawyer regardless of whether the prisoners are put on trial.†It would also “narrow the definition of an enemy combatant and tighten restrictions on the types of evidence used to prosecute and keep a person detained.â€
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) have introduced the Healthy Families Act (HFA), which would guarantee that workers receive at least seven paid sick days each year. Tell Congress to support this legislation here.
House passes flag bill Bush opposed. Governors could order federal facilities to lower their flags to honor fallen military troops under legislation passed by the House Tuesday.
House Democratic leaders have decided to use their Honest Leadership and Open Government legislation from the 109th Congress as the basis for the lobbying reform bill that the House Judiciary Committee is expected to mark up this week. By doing so, the leaders are on a trajectory to meet key demands made by left-leaning advocacy groups favoring strong reform.
New union bill has the power to level playing field after conservative idealogues gutted workers’ rights
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced a measure Monday to force the Pentagon to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and move the trials of Al Qaeda suspects to the United States.
Congress Probes Allegations Of Wrongdoing In Bush Reading Program
After more than a decade of government inaction, gay-rights proponents in Congress have gotten several major bills moving through the Democratic-controlled chambers, a development that could result in the greatest expansion of federal protections for gays and lesbians in US history.
Kucinich Officially Moves To Impeach Cheney
Congress To Pass Bill For October Troop Withdrawal
The Justice Department is conducting a probe of a $6 billion reading initiative at the center of President Bush’s No Child Left Behind law, another blow to a program besieged by allegations of financial conflicts of interest and cronyism.
House and Senate Democrats reached a deal Friday afternoon on a package of tax cuts that will accompany a $2.10-an-hour increase in the federal minimum wage.
The Democratic National Committee sued the Justice Department, demanding it turn over any e-mail traffic with the Republican Party on the U.S. attorneys controversy and criminal investigations.
House Democrats propose bill to give shareholders at public companies a formal say in executives’ compensation packages.
The House yesterday passed the Taxpayer Protection Act, to protect taxpayers against “identity theft, deceptive Web sites and loan sharks.” It also makes it “easier for taxpayers to retrieve property lost as a result of a wrongful Internal Revenue Service levy and directs the IRS to notify lower-income people that they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.”
House to Begin Probe Into 2006 Florida Election
In the wake of a news report that the Election Assistance Commission altered its findings to overstate the pervasiveness of voter fraud, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today asked the Senate Rules and Administration Committee to look into the matter.
President Bush is threatening to veto a Senate intelligence bill that’s laced with provisions that would force the White House and spy agencies to be more responsive to Congress
Senate Passes Bill To Widen Stem Cell Research
Kucinich demands answers on $4 gas as domestic policy chairman
Congress To Probe Lynch, Tillman Misinformation
By 280 to 152, the Democratic-controlled House voted to require sponsors of the pet spending items to be publicly identified, a move that sponsors say will do away with some of the most egregious waste of the taxpayers’ money.
A separate vote to reinstate the “pay as you go” rule [passed] 280 to 154. It requires that increases in spending on entitlement programs be offset by savings elsewhere, so as not to raise the budget deficit.
The new House rules bar members from taking gifts, meals or trips paid for by lobbyists, or the organizations that employ them. The rules also ban lawmakers from using corporate jets and reimbursing the owners.
House Democratic leaders prepare legislation that would permanently shift the tax burden from the have-nots back to the have-mores.
Dems Call For Investigation Into Bush Appointment Of Swift Boat Donor
“The Office of Special Counsel confirmed to ABC News it has launched an investigation into General Services Administration chief Lurita Doan, probing concerns she may have violated a ban against conducting partisan political activity at government expense by participating in a meeting featuring a presentation by a White House political aide on GOP election strategy.â€
Waxman To RNC: Turn Over Your Emails
House Bill Will Bring Back Paper Ballots
Nearly five months after Florida Republican Vern Buchanan narrowly defeated Democrat Christine Jennings in the state’s 13th District, a congressional committee has organized a task force to investigate the controversial election.
Dems Pass Bill To Bring Troops Home In 2008
Another criminal investigation has begun in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where two elections officials were found to have rigged the 2004 Presidential Election recount.
FDA to enact rules to prevent experts with ties to drug industry from advising the FDA
The House Administration Committee will convene a special task force to look into the ongoing controversy of Florida’s 13th district congressional race
The Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007, a bill aimed at “making immediate improvements in the treatment…of wounded combat veterans passed the House Armed Services Committee by a 59-0 vote Tuesday.â€
Senate Cancels Bush Admin Power To Unilaterally Name US Attorneys…
Rep. Jane Harman introduced a bill to require all light bulbs produced or used in the U.S. to meet current fluorescent bulb standards (60 lumens per watt) by 2012, 90 lumens by 2016, and 120 by 2020.
Top White House Staff May Face Subpoenas
Democratic Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio has hired an avowed critic of Israel to work on his subcommittee of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Congress Investigates Plush VIP Ward At Walter Reed.
This week, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) introduced legislation to provide health care coverage to all children. The Children’s Health First Act would boost spending on SCHIP by $50 billion and encourage states to cover all children with incomes up to 400 percent of the poverty level.â€
“Buried in the $124 billion House version of the wartime supplemental appropriation is an order to the Defense Department to release a report on the April 2004 death in Afghanistan of Army Spc. Patrick Tillman,†whose death by friendly fire Army leaders tried to cover up.
Yesterday, the “House Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a measure that barred the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.â€
A bill granting Washington, D.C. “its first full-fledged seat in the House of Representatives passed the Judiciary Committee yesterday, clearing the final hurdle before a vote by the entire House, expected next week.â€
Democrats to open hearings on CIA leak on Friday. The Star Witness Will be Valerie Plame.
The Federal Communications Commission drew an ultimatum from the House Energy and Commerce Committee telecom panel: Return to your traditional role of consumer protection or else. “When the FCC loses sight of its proper role, consumers suffer,” said Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., told FCC commissioners at a hearing Tuesday.
A Democratic plan to require the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq passed its first test on Thursday as the House Appropriations Committee voted to endorse the proposal, overcoming Republican opposition.
Under attack for improprieties uncovered in its showcase literacy program for low-income children, the Department of Education will convene an outside advisory committee to oversee the program, known as Reading First, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said Wednesday. Facing tough questions at a hearing before a Senate subcommittee considering appropriations for the Bush administration’s signature education law, known as No Child Left Behind, Ms. Spellings also promised to clean up the reading program in other ways.
The two election workers from Cuyahoga Co. Ohio who rigged the 2004 recount were each sentenced to 18 months in prison and the judge stated that he felt they were not telling the whole story and that they were covering for someone.
A new bill requiring the mandatory disclosure of donations to presidential libraries has made its way out of committee and is headed for the House floor.
The House passed three bills that would “roll back administration efforts to shield its workings from public view.†The measures would “streamline access to records in presidential libraries, expand safeguards for government whistle-blowers, and strengthen the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).â€
Bush’s prosecutor power grab is backfiring.
Leahy Says He’ll Subpoena Rove, Discusses Potential Crimes
The Senate voted 60-38 to approve legislation “to implement many of the remaining reforms suggested by the Sept. 11 commission.â€
Brushing aside a veto threat, the House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to overturn a 2001 order by President George W. Bush that lets former presidents keep their papers secret indefinitely.
The Chairman of the House’s Oversight and Government Reform Committee has sent 11 letters to Condi Rice requesting info on the fraudulent Niger/uranium claims.
House approves bill spending $1.7 billion over five years for cleaner water. White House, forgetting the $9 billion a month spent in Iraq, says the cost is too high.
Hillary Clinton calls for GI Bill Of Rights.
Democrats add billions of dollars to Iraq war budget, earmarked for medical care, housing, and training.
“The House of Representatives voted today to create a new congressional committee, devoted solely to addressing the issue of global warming. Legislation creating the new ‘Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming’ passed 269 to 150, with 44 Republicans voting in favor of its creation.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and other senators met with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales this afternoon. According to Schumer, Gonzales said the White House will not oppose reversing the PATRIOT Act provision that allows U.S. Attorneys to be installed without Senate approval.
“thanks to voter outrage and a one-year moratorium imposed by Democrats after taking over Congress,” the “number and cost of pork-barrel projects is way down” after years of record pork-barrel spending.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman announced he will hold a hearing on whether White House officials followed appropriate procedures for safeguarding the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson
Dems Push Legislation To Withdraw Troops By Fall ‘08
Senator Byron Dorgan introducing legislation compelling George W. Bush to actually go after Osama bin Laden
Senate Votes 51-46 to Let Airport Workers Unionize, Give 45,000 Screeners the Same Union Rights As Border Patrol, Customs And Immigration Agents; Bush Threatens Veto.
Congress has begun hearings on the substandard care for veterans at Walter Reed.
The Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007 would nullify the Bush executive order and establish procedures to ensure the timely release of presidential records.
subpoenas will soon be issued in the matter of the allegedly coerced firings of U.S. Attorneys in the Department of Justice. A vote will take place tomorrow in the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law on whether to issue the subpoenas to Justice Dept. officials Carol Lam, David Iglesias, H.E. Cummins, III, and John McKay to compel them to appear before a subcommittee hearing next week.
The Judiciary Committee will also hold hearings next week on matters related to “Election Reform and Irregularities.”
June 27th, 2007 at 4:20 pm“They could have blocked crap like the Patriot Act and Bankruptcy Reform Bill, but NO they acted like cowards.
Comment by Jay Randal — June 27, 2007 @ 3:27 pmâ€
I ask myself that same question everyday……
I am glad that I am an Independant……
Comment by RemoveBush — June 27, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
I agree with both of you 110% they need to stop being pus##es!!!
June 27th, 2007 at 4:21 pm#73,
Yah, you’re right there sport. I would go in public and make such a claim based not on factual evidence but on some freak desire to tarnish the “good name” of a politician.
And then everyone falls out of their seat when a politician gets caught with a bundle of cash in their freezer.
You go ahead and continue with your logic stream. I guess it makes sense to you.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:23 pmThe upside is that all these objections are saved and 21 of the Republican obstructionists are up for re-election in 2008. The fools are playing right into the hands of the Democrats. Kind of like Cheney… he didn’t think that the Democrats would consider voting to defund the office of the VP, did he. Republicans can’t think further than their nose and they can only repeat their stupid sounding “mantras”… “fight them over there so we don’t fight them over here”, “cut and run”, “stay the course”, yadda yadda yadda… bullshit and re-runs. No one can ever accuse a Republican of being creative or using stratetic thinking.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:25 pm#69,
Nope. I was pointing out that it’s your responsibility what you choose to do with the knowledge of the information.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:27 pm#46 - Katie, you’re right on the money. If the Rethugs want to make it hard to legislate, then the Dem leadership shuold spend it’s time investigating. After a few more Scooter Libbys get sent to jail, and Bushie is forced to pardon his henchmen, no voter outside the 26%ers would vote Rethuglican for decades (or at least until the next big Dem scandal).
June 27th, 2007 at 4:27 pmRepublicans make me sick.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:27 pmUnfortunately, it takes a substantial majority of elected politicians to make a democracy work. The Republican politicians do not believe in democracy. They do believe in creating an oligarchy composed of the moneyed interests and relying upon right win evangelicals and the never ending fear caused by the exaggerated terrorist threat to hold onto power.
The real question is: WHAT DO WE DO WHEN THE POLITICAL ELITE OF A NATIONAL PARTY WILL PUT THEIR OWN NARROW INTERESTS IN OBTAINING AND EXTENDING POLITICAL POWER OVER THE COMMON INTEREST AND EVEN SURVIVAL OF THE COUNTRY?
I would suggest that the Republican party now creates a threat equivalent to NAZI, Baathist or communist parties.
1. The corruption of our body politic as exposed through the various influence buying scandals, corporate agenda of government agencies and stifling of scientific fact by government agencies demonstrates the same close business ties typical of fascist governments.
2. The appointment of government officials for nonpartisan career positions, the use of political tests for continuation of employment and the use of political commissars to ensure that all facets of bureaucratic and nonpartisan decision making toes the party line is reminiscent of the worst communist practices.
3. The attempt to supplant basic human rights guaranteed since the Magna Carta (habeas corpus) and constitution (fourth amendment, etc)
demonstrates a commitment to reduce the rights of the individual as opposed to the power of the state. Note the recent rulings of the Supreme Court and the hiring of armed mercenaries such as Blackwater (armed personnel in New Orleans) or Haliburton (domestic detention facilities) as furthering government control.
4. The coarsening of our political discourse so that any individual opposing the policy of the party is deemed as a traitor to the state. Note the use of the politics of personal destruction against every former administration official who has attempted to blow the whistle on the crimes of this administration. This is reminiscent of the revision of history practiced by the Communist Party and other fascist powers.
5. The end of the rule of law for the governing party as evidenced by (why list it? there is not enough room)
I could go on. It is time that we recognize that the Republican Party should be outlawed. Its elite should be arrested and tried as traitors to the United States The top members should be sentenced to death for treason. Others should be given life in prison or substantial jail sentences. The government must be cleared of the political lackeys appointed to both political and career civil service positions.
Some of you may think that I am being absurd. Note, the Republican elite exists only to gain and perpetuate its power. It will sell this country out, it will break the law, it will subvert democracy. It will stop at nothing. The Republican elite have succeeded admirably in building its political power base. Despite its losses in the 2006 elections, it continues to ignore the will of the people. Democracy will not survive in this environment.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:28 pm#70,
It seems your neighbors, at least those here, are rather proud of the fact that the Bush Crime Family decided to set up its headquarters in your state.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:29 pmIt may be working well for them NOW, but wait until the next election. The Republicans have shown their true colors and the American people are finally waking up.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:32 pmKiki: Yeah. They’ve woken up and tuned on to the lastest report on Paris Hilton’s prison escapades.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:35 pmWhat a bunch of nonsense, TP.
Reid has been brain-washed by the Islamist-Left, his pro-Muslim agenda is probably all over that legislation.
Comment by PRIMVS INTER PARES
“Islamist-Left, his pro-Muslim agenda”… so now this is the phrase the righties hate America are putting out there? Why is it the rest of the world - which compared to US has an honest media, does not see it this way? Why is Bush considered the terrorist? Have you read PNAC yet?…the blueprint for Bush’s terrorist activities?
June 27th, 2007 at 4:37 pmPNAC - the blueprint for Bush’s terrorists activities - Did this plan begin in Aug ‘02 when Bush began his constant rhetoric babble of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, or was it obvious when building #7 came down mysteriously WTC on
June 27th, 2007 at 4:51 pm9/11?
You go ahead and continue with your logic stream. I guess it makes sense to you.
Comment by Fed the Fcuk Up!
Your fist post at #6 said:
I can personally attest to the fact that he takes bribes. The FBI is not interested in these facts and neither are you.
I asked for the proof, you know the facts as you stated.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:52 pmWithout seeing “facts” I can only call Bullsh*t
#96,
Let me know where you would like the photocopies of the cashed checks to be sent. As well as the detailed information of “why” the payments were made to Mr. Reid. Just so you know, it involves an individual (currently on the run from the FBI and last known to be hiding down in Mexico) STEALING A SSN# and IDENTITY for the sole purpose of defrauding financial institutions (which he did) and then our “honorable” Mr. Reid making everything disappear for three easy payments of $15,000 each.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:58 pmThe last few Supreme Court decisions prove that the Dems should have filibustered. Because the government knows best how to control political speech.
After all, if the government doesn’t control it, who will?
June 27th, 2007 at 5:04 pmReid has been brain-washed by the Islamist-Left, his pro-Muslim agenda is probably all over that legislation.
Comment by PRIMVS INTER PARES
Got any facts, links?
June 27th, 2007 at 5:11 pmOr you pulling “substance” out of your a$$ again?
#86 - Playing right into the hands of the Democrats.
ONLY if the Democrats start selling this story to the public.
Other than us rabid political observers here, how many main street Americans even know that this is going on?
Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, Hillary, Obama, should ALL be trying to get time in front of the TV cameras saying how this obstruction is preventing the country from going forward.
They have to sell the story.
If they don’t do that soon, they’re going to be in real trouble. Any doubt that the Republicans are going to sell this as “Well the Democrats have had control of both the House and the Senate for the last two years and what have they accomplished? Nada.”
June 27th, 2007 at 5:12 pmComment by OxyContin — June 27, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
As I’ve said many times, this is why Congress’ approval ratings are so low. The blame lies squarely on the right wing ideologue Repubs who have thwarted the Democratic agenda, which btw Americans strongly support.
Really? The public supports high taxes, amnesty for illegals, restrictions on political speech, gun restrictions, confiscation of private property, affirmative racism, a death penalty ban, gay marriage, partial birth abortion, trial lawyer piracy, socialism and weak national defense?
No, Congress’ approval ratings are in the dumps because the people see exactly what Democrat priorities are.
The Repubs went from being the world’s biggest rubberstampers to being the world’s biggest obstructionists so fast they all have whiplash and are looking for trial lawyers.
Really now. And remind me which (far smaller) minority party illegally filibustered judicial nominations?
June 27th, 2007 at 5:16 pm#97Comment by Fed the Fcuk Up!
Man, If you have that kind of proof and the feds ignored it, I would post all that on a web site, before getting “disappeared”.
If he is a crook, the public needs to know.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:21 pmYeah, proof in the form of photo copies of checks… hmmmm…
Are they from the Minister in Niger who was selling Yellow cake, perhaps?
June 27th, 2007 at 5:24 pmGive me a few minutes, I can make you a signed confession linking Reed to the JFK shooting. Put him on the grassy knoll for an extra $50.
In a clown outfit for $65
June 27th, 2007 at 5:27 pmAre they from the Minister in Niger who was selling Yellow cake, perhaps?
Comment by willyloman
LMAO!!
June 27th, 2007 at 5:27 pmIt may be working for the republicans now but come election time they may wish they had not become the obstructionists they are. I cannot contemplate the dem candidates not bring it to the attention of the American people. So they best enjoy it now, because this will not last!
June 27th, 2007 at 5:32 pm#101,
I have already taken precautions, but I’m really not worried. Reid, just like the FBI, knows that nobody will listen or care.
As far as the public needing to know, I agree whole heartedly with that idealism.
But it is not the reality. The disinterest here alone illustrates that. The public, due to the “partisan” model that is just as supported here as it is on RedState.org, is not interested in such truths. All that the public is interested in is gossiping about the scurrilous nature of the members of the “other” party.
The grand delusion that most of you all refuse to see is that just like the “republicans” that you chide so often for being partisan, the group here is mostly just as partisan in placing their party loyalty above what is just and right for the nation and humanity.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:34 pmFed the F** Up: I really have to question your sanity.
1. If you have such proof, then why have you not provided it to the press or federal agencies?
2. If you have been turned down by the press or agencies, then why have you not made this information public on the web?
3. Does it not seem incredulous that a Republican Administration that has assumed such tight political control over the Justice Department would not have pursued such an investigationS
Until I see something more than the rantings you have provided, I can only suggest that you increase your meds.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:35 pmThey are bringing to our attention now because they want to get this immigration bill rammed thru. Even though most Americans want it re-written at least.
But, the Dems are choosing their battle. Not Impeachment, not blocking funding to bring the troops home, …
they want cheap labor for big business and a strong Latino voting block.
That’s where this fraudulent party draws the line.
Corruption knows no limits of party affiliation.
My solution… Register as an Independant. All of us. No funds to any of them bastards. Don’t go to the conventions, don’t sign on for nothing any of them do until they renounce their affiliations with the “Parties” that hamstring them.
They work for us or they get the f____ out.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:37 pm#102,
You are a fool. On those photocopies are all the reference numbers needed to trace the bank transactions. Which are recorded and able to be sourced, traced, and can be audited.
But you go ahead and be a loyal “democrat” and kneel in front of your man. Though don’t come complaining to me when you end up getting bent over and shown the true “light” that is coming your way.
Ignorance is bliss, and you are about as bliss as they get.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:42 pmYes. Fed…, they CAN be traced, but YOU haven’t traced them, have you?
And do you know why? Why the feds aren’t interested?
Because they are forgeries.
And maybe before you go off half-cocked about me being a “Democrat” you should read #108.
But I guess we know your political Party Affiliation, now don’t we?
Can you say, Troll-boy?
June 27th, 2007 at 5:48 pmSing Along:
June 27th, 2007 at 5:49 pmSing Along:
Troll Troll Troll Boy,
Dancing in the rain,
Takes it up the metaphorical butt,
Cus he has only half a brain
June 27th, 2007 at 5:50 pm#107,
1. Filed complaint with FBI. No response as of yet.
2. What do you call this?
3. It only seems “incredulous†to the partisan brain. Intelligent beings know that the only difference between the overwhelming majority of the current crop of Republican and Democrats politicians is their logo and team colors.
So, go ahead and dismiss me as the raving lunatic if that’s what you need to do in order to pre-emptively forgive yourself for your complicit enabling.
Progressive indeed.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:51 pm#110,
Really? You claim that they are forgeries. Then your duty as a patriotic American is to call the authorities and report me for making such “false” and “libel” claims.
Then the authorities will come to me and either actually follow up on this or throw me in jail. I welcome such judgment. So go ahead and do your duty. I dare you.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:55 pmYou would be jailed! For standing up for your beliefs! Like M.L.King and Ali and Mandella!
June 27th, 2007 at 5:59 pmWow! You really are a martyr, aren’t you!
Did I say that?
Opps.
Bye Bye troll-boy.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:01 pmDon’t touch that evidence with those sticky “Cheese-Puffs” fingers.
#115,
So, you are going to continue to be a coward. Report me if you have a pair. Making willful false criminal accusations against and elected official is a crime.
Otherwise the only “forgery” here is your claim to courage.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:03 pmWhats all that orange dust on your pants?
Is it evidence?
Was Reed touching you? Use the doll…show us where the bad man touched you with the Cheese Puff fingers.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:09 pm#118,
A very sophomoric attempt at deception through diversion. Do you work for the Senator?
Scratch that, I really don’t care. I’m only interested in speaking to Americans who are intelligent and truly care about this nation and its peoples, as well as the good of all humanity.
You wouldn’t even qualify as a bellhop to that group.
Good riddance to you.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:14 pmAnd is the MSM broadcasting to the entire American public the extent of the Republican OBSTRUCTIONIST AGENDA?! They distorted the Democrats weak objections since 1994 entirely out of proportion. But it seems they are giving the GOP a free ride in the obstructionist category!
June 27th, 2007 at 6:20 pmWithout the support of the MAINSTREAM MEDIA the Democratic Progressives HAVE NO CHANCE OF CHANGING ANYTHING.
“Look! Look at My evidence! It’s all over my PANTS!”
“I mean something! I have the evidence!”
“Why won’t you look at my PANTS!”
“I’m hungry. Got any Cheese Puffs?”
June 27th, 2007 at 6:21 pmCAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY AN ILLEGAL ALIEN SHOULD BE DENIED DEMOCRACY?
June 27th, 2007 at 6:25 pmIf they live here and they work here they should VOTE HERE G-d Dammit! Democracy is not only for rich white Republicans who can afford to buy voter ID cards and maintain stable long term addresses. DEMOCRACY IS FOR ANY HUMAN BEING WHO HAPPENS TO BE PART OF A CIVIL SOCIETY!
Why anyone fears giving Mexicans a vote is ABSURD!
Who knows…the Mexicans might even IMPROVE THINGS the way the Germans did to Rotten Rome in the 5th Century!
#120,
The definition of insanity, as attributed to Albert Einstein, is expecting different results from the same actions.
If you haven’t figured out by now that the Corporate Media Monopoly (what you call the MSM) has no interest in what is “good” and “right” for the general public, then I don’t know what it is going to take.
I guess you are waiting for the headline: “Our Newspaper/Station has been lying to and deceiving you in order to advance the interests of our Corporate Masters.”
Good luck on that.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:27 pmWhat’s wrong with allowing illegal aliens the right to participate in democracy and vote? Afraid they might vote in a Hamas-style government? That’s democracy folks. The Arabs probably look at the Bush Administration as a pretty bad democratic choice…
June 27th, 2007 at 6:28 pmResponse to 123
June 27th, 2007 at 6:30 pmAbsolutely right on target. The MSM is running the show for the benefit of the oligarchs in America, including themselves, who have grown accsutomed to a lifestyle few of us can imagine.
#122,
There is no reason why they “should”, but I can tell you why they “are”.
Who employs the illegal aliens?
What would happen if they became legal? (Hint: Social Security and payroll taxes, Minimum wage and employment laws)
Re-evaluate your assessment of WHO does not want immigration fixed. You are blaming the wrong folks.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:32 pmWho employs the illegal aliens?
June 27th, 2007 at 6:40 pmEverybody does. Every time anyone of us eats at a restaurant or buys produce from the local market or stays at a motel and uses the facilities that need cleaning, etc. etc. There is an underclass of people who exist and are real. Real Politik dictates they be recognized. They are also breeding faster than anybody else and you either deal with it realistically or you deny it at YOUR PERIL.
Anthropological axiom: a woman’s birthrate declines when her affluence and education level rise.
What the regressive elements in American AND Mexican society are succeeding in doing is GUARANTEEING a HUGE desperate, impoverished underclass that will become more dangerous with time.
BTW: Mexico has the largest number of billionaires in all of latin American. The second wealthiest man today on Forbes list is a MEXICAN, Carlos Slim.
#127,
The elephant that you are dancing around is called “slave labor”. Old England called them “serfs”, corporate America calls them “increased profit margins derived from achieving below market labor costs”.
I recommend that you do not patronize any establishments that exploit this labor force. Otherwise, just as you alluded to, you will be complicit in the exploitation.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:46 pmUh… where did you think you’d get with a one-vote majority? Get used to stalemate, until GOP incumbents feel the heat of their impending reelection campaigns, and begin voting against Bush.
June 27th, 2007 at 7:42 pmWant real change? Get a veto-proof 60 Democrats in the Senate and a Democratic President. Anything else will be certain gridlock or continuance of the Republican agenda.
June 27th, 2007 at 7:55 pm#130,
So, single party dominance is “okay” as long as its the Democrats?
You haven’t just fallen for the farce hook-line-and-sinker, I think that you swallowed the pole, fisherman, and boat as well.
June 27th, 2007 at 8:45 pmCAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY AN ILLEGAL ALIEN SHOULD BE DENIED DEMOCRACY? If they live here and they work here they should VOTE HERE G-d Dammit! Democracy is not only for rich white Republicans who can afford to buy voter ID cards and maintain stable long term addresses. DEMOCRACY IS FOR ANY HUMAN BEING WHO HAPPENS TO BE PART OF A CIVIL SOCIETY!
Why anyone fears giving Mexicans a vote is ABSURD!
Who knows…the Mexicans might even IMPROVE THINGS the way the Germans did to Rotten Rome in the 5th Century!
Comment by Shirley — June 27, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Shirley, I failed you miserably. I apologize.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:04 amNone of the important information is in the audio. None. Most people, I’d be so bold as to assert, do not “watch” the commercials. They may hear them from the kitchen, the bathroom, or wherever they went to take a break until the program starts again.
Okay, this spot plays reasonably well on the web. But television - forget it. You need eyes on the screen to get this one.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:33 pm