A Democratic Revolution?
By on Dec 20th, 2007 at 10:20 am
A Democratic Revolution?
The House Democratic Caucus released this chart touting its legislative accomplishments, as compared to the 1995 “Republican Revolution” led by Time’s then-Man of the Year Newt Gingrich:
Click here to view an expanded version.
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and the losers are….
yup, regular americans.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:24 amOf course, when your party HATES government as much as the Repukes, what would you expect?????
December 20th, 2007 at 10:24 amIf they could accomplish all this, then why haven’t they been able to stop the war funding? And, where’s the move toward Cheney/Bush impeachment?
After all, stopping this illegal occupation and cleaning up the white house were the two major mandates of the people; anything short of this, while laudatory, still equals failure.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:25 amFan of Man: We, The People, are the losers while these two gangs of thugs and clowns play headgames with each other at the expense of the people and their pocketbooks. TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:26 amThis Congress did do some good things, but so long as Americans are still being killed and wounded in Iraq, Bush still gets his nominees, including those who won’t call waterboarding torture, confirmed and the Congress caves to Bush on other important matters (like FISA), this Congress will rightfully be seen as a failure.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:27 amThe Democrats are losing the support of the people when they fail us like this. The Repukes already have no reputation with the people short of being clueless thugs.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:27 amBlue Stater: And recall those Senior Democrats lauding Mukasey to the moon! There’s a group of “faux democrats” who are Republican in their mindset and really need to be unseated.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:28 amThis list of minor accomplishments has nothing to do with why the Dims won the House in 2006. This is like saying “so what if my child is a bully, she keeps her room neat.” Touting these “victories” just shows the lack of courage that the Dims have shown. The repugs won the election in 2006 even though they didn’t keep their seats.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:29 amFan of Man: We, The People, are the losers while these two gangs of thugs and clowns play headgames with each other at the expense of the people and their pocketbooks. TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
Comment by Veritas — December 20, 2007 @ 10:26 am
amen.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:30 amAt least the Republican obstructionism is getting some press — or at least it’s getting some press somewhere. This appeared in the morning Oregonian on the front page. Apologies in advance for the newspaper’s crap website and the inconvenience of registration.
An excerpt:
December 20th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Repeated cave-ins to Shrubco war funding demands? YES.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:33 amYo, Democratic Congress of 2007, how’s that removing-our-troops-from-Iraq thing going? Oh…caved in to a 24% popularity President again, did ya? Friggin’ lightweights.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:34 amEnd the Iraq War — No
Drain the Swamp — No
Stop Rolling over for Bush — No
Give in to Bush on Illegal Spying and WireTaps — Yes
Impeach or Stop Bush’s Lawbreaking — Fsck No
December 20th, 2007 at 10:35 amOur leaders better find a way of talking to us. If they think we’re cheering, they are sadly mistaken, and this graphic isn’t helping.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:36 am“BearCountry” – i’ll pass on the obvious colbert joke to make on that. instead, i invite you to print that chart out, and tack it up somewhere you can look at it every day til next fall’s election, m’k?
You other two here, geez – I like you guys, but I’d think, since you’ve been paying attention, you’d have a clearer answer as to why there are still troops in Iraq, etc.. Give’em some credit fercryonoutloud, for being 800% more effective than Newt’s “revolutionaries”, and for doing so with less going for them.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:41 amWow….that they would even bother to produce this graph says it all. But then, I wouldn’t want to go back to my District without something shiny, either.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:43 amWe have to start somewhere folks. I give the Dems credit for pursuing investigations and “trying”. That said, I also fault them for not acting more like Republicans in terms of using every procedural trick to their advantage. It feels like Dems are always bringing a knife to a gun fight when you see the Rs filibustering and playing hardball while the Dems act like everyone should care about rule of law and truth.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:43 amThink of 2006 as a stepping stone. In 08, we can really make some hay if we keep our eyes on the prize. My top initiative for 2008 is public campaign finance.
Guess I’ll add Pete C too. You 3 sound like you’re bummed that you only got the “deluxe” version from Santa, and not the “super deluxe” edition that you wrote about in your letter. It’s Christmas time after all, not the annual “Debbie Downer” festival.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:45 amThank you, OMF!!
December 20th, 2007 at 10:45 amok then y we in eyerack?
December 20th, 2007 at 10:46 amIf the Dems had the country’s admiration, they wouldn’t have to resort to such weak and lame PR gimicks.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:46 amIt feels like Dems are always bringing a knife to a gun fight when you see the Rs filibustering and playing hardball while the Dems act like everyone should care about rule of law and truth.
Comment by OptimisticMF — December 20, 2007 @ 10:43 am
Why does that knife look like a wet noodle from where I am standing?
December 20th, 2007 at 10:47 amMerry Snarkmas, every one. Or whatever.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:47 am:…Give’em some credit fercryonoutloud, for being 800% more effective than Newt’s “revolutionaries…”
- – The U.S. has become precisely the kind of surveillance state that we were always told was the hallmark of tyrannical societies, with literally no limits on the government’s ability or willingness to spy on its own citizens and to maintain vast dossiers on those activities.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:48 amOn the defining issues like the war, the warrantless wiretapping, the chipping away of constitutional rights, climate change and our foreign relations, this Congress has been fairly impotent.
please, please. continue patting yourselves on the back while we, the folks that helped get you into office, say, unequivocally, that you’ve FAILED, in some of the most basic aspects of governing.
Holding investigations and issuing reports does not equal accountability if nothing changes and the same people are allowed to police themselves.
Threatening to do something and then failing to even put up a fight when the time comes to get that something done is not leadership or governing, it is caving.
Attempting to provide protection to US corporations who break the law, or are believed to break the law, is improper. Especially when some of those companies acted responsibly.
Yeah, keep patting yourselves on the back. The real hard work remains unfinished and, by all accounts, y’all that purportedly “lead” the party are way to timid to rock any boats, so W will ultimately get what he wants. It’s an election year, after all, and y’all have made your calculations. sure hope your math is better than Karl’s was.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:50 amMerry Snarkmas, every one. Or whatever.
Comment by tombaker — December 20, 2007 @ 10:47 am
I snark, therefor I am =)
December 20th, 2007 at 10:51 amFrank M: When will “we” have “won” the “war on terror”? Will it be when we leave the people of the Middle East alone? Will it be when we withdraw our military from their territory? Will it be when we stop propping up non-democratic governments because of long family ties and the “need” for oil, or at least the profits US companies obtain from refining it for other nations? Or will it be when we kill every last one of “them”? When will we have won?
December 20th, 2007 at 10:54 amFrankie thinks 70% is a fringe group.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:55 am**rolls eyes**
This chart is merely chaff and flares to distract from the below:
WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress approved $70 billion Wednesday for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a bitter finish for majority Democrats who tried to force a change in President Bush’s war policy.
The House’s 272-142 vote also sent the president a $555 billion catchall spending bill that combines the war money with money for 14 Cabinet departments.
Bush and his Senate GOP allies forced the Iraq money upon anti-war Democrats as the price for permitting the year-end budget deal to pass and be signed. But other Democrats were eager to avoid being seen as not supporting troops who are in harm’s way – and avoid weeks of bashing by Bush for failing to provide that money.
“This is a blank check,” complained Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. “The new money in this bill represents one cave-in too many. It is an endorsement of George Bush’s policy of endless war.”
December 20th, 2007 at 10:55 amBecause they understand that the war cannot be stopped just because the fringe left wants it. The war on terror will last until we’ve won.
Comment by Frank M — December 20, 2007 @ 10:50 am
The war on terror is a convoluted catch phrase that has as much meaning as the War on Drugs, the War on Poverty, etc. but Frank likes catch phrases, he also likes bright shiny things, and being scared and and helping terrorists win
December 20th, 2007 at 10:56 amgummitch, thanks for explaining the workings of congress and why the Dems lose out every time. My question: “Why can’t we turn negatives into positives?” Why is legislation written so that the Rethugs get the upper hand? Why are bills not written so that the Dems are the controlling interest and the Rethugs have to threaten filibuster? Why do the fairly even numbers not work both ways. Never mind the president’s position. His vetoes come later after the Dems should be winning most bills.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:57 amsuicide bombering Israelis and us.
Comment by Frank M — December 20, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Suicide bombering, is that a new terrorist tactic only you know about?
December 20th, 2007 at 11:01 amWhat did we miss?
Hedge funds, private equity avoid US tax increase
The AMT patch passed by the House will go unfunded. And Hedge funds are happy.
WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) – Rich U.S. hedge fund and private equity firm managers avoided proposed increases in their taxes on Wednesday when the House of Representatives approved a controversial tax bill stripped of the proposals.
Amid heavy lobbying by wealthy financiers trying to protect their lucrative business models, the House approved a bill that would temporarily relieve millions of Americans from having to pay the creeping alternative minimum tax (AMT).
December 20th, 2007 at 11:02 am#29: Where did you get that figure? Anyway 70% of liberals is a fringe group. Don’t tell me that you actually believe that the anti-war pollsters poll people who actually might answer in a wrong way?
Comment by Frank M — December 20, 2007 @ 10:59 am
Don’t like the results, attack the polling as being biased, but offer no evidence to back up this libelous claim. God, beating you down is too easy, it’s not even sporting.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:02 amWhy do we care if they live in peace or not? Lots of people around the world don’t live in peace. We don’t send 150,000 troops and 10,000+ mercenaries to visit them for 6 years.
Extort us with oil? OPEC is a monopoly of sorts — actually a price fixer, but hey, who was ever complaining until W took office and oil prices spiked through the roof. It’s their resource, they can do as they please. Just because Americans are too stupid to use oil efficiently and too lazy to change bad habits doesn’t meant they have to do anything we demand they do to help us because we can’t help ourselves. Take some personal responsibility there Frank. I mean really.
Israel is a big nation and can take care of itself. We certainly buy enough weapons for it to do so. Maybe if it dismantled the Palestinian ghettos they wouldn’t have people blowing up buses (which have been on the down turn recently).
As for bombing us, if we leave them alone I’m certain they’ll get back to fighting amongst themselves.
So, when is that war on terror going to be won again? You planning on making changes in your life or your way of thinking? Thought not.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:03 amDoing what the people elected them to do – NO
Bush/Cheney
Hague Trials ‘09
Buck Fush
December 20th, 2007 at 11:05 amGod, beating you down is too easy, it’s not even sporting.
Comment by Blue Stater
Yes, kinda like “debating” with my 5 year old, and he wonders why I’m always right.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:05 amLast night I was forlornly watching re-runs of the Daily Show – I found one I had missed! – and they ran a little tidbit from March 07. What a difference 9 months make.
Here is a link to TP commentary on “New Sheriff in Town” Pelosi.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/28/pelosi-warns-bush-calm-down-with-the-threats/
This chart they published is such a freakin joke – were I a Progressive I would be pissed off beyond belief at their gaul.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:08 amBlaming the victims? Israel a victim? Come on, man. That is so bogus. Which side lives in ghettos and which side controls the others movement? Just because some folks get pissed and blow things up does not make one side more of the victim that the other.
And the US, a victim? Criticizing US policy for the jacked up results it brings is not blaming the US. Denying the US policies have any role in the fiasco facing US interests in the Middle East is burying your head in the sand and will prevent any meaningful resolution to the problems in the region. Even Colin P. understood that if you break it, you own it. Whey don’t you?
December 20th, 2007 at 11:09 amComment by Frank M — December 20, 2007 @ 10:59 am
73 percent of Democrats want troops brought home from Iraq as soon as possible, Dimwit.
Also, most of laterst polls show 60 percent of Americans want a timetable for a withdrawal from Iraq.
60 percent of all Americans are a fringe groups?
Frank you are either an idiot or a liar.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:09 amThe dems need to focus on the positive because they certainly did not do anything they were elected to do – thanks in part to the obstructionist Rethugs who don’t deserve to represent us with these tactics and the spineless Faux Democrats who voted along with them.
We need official roll calls for votes in order to hang these Democrats when their term expires! They may think that they hold the witch hunt award right now but they haven’t seen anything like the wrath of the people when they unite.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:09 amWayne: The fringe of the fringe is where these dolt-brained trolls fit. Clueless morons.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:10 amPO: It’s right out of the criminal’s handbook and it’s called DARVO – rapists have been using it for decades – Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender – DARVO is the MO of this administration.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:11 amThe GOP has not filibustered, only threatened to filibuster. The threat has worked. But, no one has tested GOP resolve if individual members were forced to filibuster every time they threatened to filibuster. The law of averages suggests that eventually a damn would burst and the Democratic agenda — the real one, not the one portrayed in their cheesy little chart — might actually find supporters on the other side.
Threatening, while telegraphing to the other side that you will compromise and accept their proposal, is not leadership and does nothing to force a filibuster.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:12 am44… Gaul: region in France. Gall: brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence. But I agree in spirit. They’re to breaking their arm trying to pat themselves on the back. And it’s making me wince.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:13 amFrank M the “war on terra” has NO more chance of being won then the war on the Vietnamese people ever did.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:13 amgummitch: I acknowledge you for enlightening us about the inner workings of the Congress but I have one lingering question at this point: Isn’t it within the purview of the Speaker to even place something on the floor? This is my assumption and I would highly question that aspect of the quasi-exoneration of the Democrats in Congress right now. Reid and Pelosi carry more power than you’re expresssing here.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:14 amSo, essentially what I am saying is that if the Democrats don’t want to play “bend over” time and time again, they can quash things before they even make it to the floor…..just like Harry Reid did in the face of a Dodd filibuster this week. He simply “withdrew it”. Now that’s power no matter how you dice it.
So, essentially, this aspect gives the Dems plenty of the power they claim not to have.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:16 amAnd I think that a frank discussion needs to take place vis-a-vis democratic power and lack thereof at this point before we begin excusing them for their lack of serious accomplishments.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:17 amLogically, we all can see how the lack of a majority means problems for the democrats on issues; Howard Dean has made that succinctly clear. However, we just witnessed the power of Harry Reid this past week who withdrew the FISA bill with Dodd’s posturing for filibuster. It’s also true that the Speaker has the perogative to place a bill or action on the floor or decide not to. After all, Pelosi’s been bragging about “not putting impeachment on the table” which implies a hefty amount of power if you ask me.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:19 amAnd, in the further interest of fairness, examine the chart in detail, and compare what it was the R’s failed to deliver, vs. what the D’s have delivered. I’ll take “college cost reduction” (high school junior in the family) over “family reinforcement act”(whatever the f that’s supposed to mean).
Kinda hard to halt a massive overseas troop deployment while the Executive Branch is busy using them as human shields. I think folks are letting their impatience for change cloud their judgement re: what is fair to expect given the circumstances.
Some of you critics have to be old enough to have lived through the bizarre and proctracted “end” of the Viet Nam War, and to remember that it was not hastened by Nixon’s Impeachment.
I wish like nothing else that Bush had been impeached 3 years ago. I also hear the wisdom of foregoing it. Given the nature of the R party, Bush’s impeachment would lead invariably to the impeachment of any D we could put in the WH. If they could manufacture crimes and misdemeanors out of a bj, they could manufacture more for any other reason they chose, and they would, because they are not ashamed of victory-through-treachery.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:20 am#53, the power Pelosi and Reid both have, but have failed to wield, is the power to say no and not bring any bill to the floor that does not do what they want it to do. That is the true power.
The real FISA fix would be no FISA bill next year. The real power re: Iraq is to pass the bill you want and when it is repeatedly vetoed don’t pass another. You thereby do indirectly what you claim you cannot do directly — stop the worst foreign policy disaster in the history of the nation.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:20 amI really don’t think that a blanket exoneration of the spineless democrats in congress is in order here at all. They can posit their case of wrangling for that 60 votes surely but what about the inherent power within the position of Speaker of the House? If Pelosi doesn’t really have that power, then Wexler’s call for impeachment hearings should be on the floor right now, shouldn’t it?
December 20th, 2007 at 11:21 amVeritas- I could not agree with you more.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:21 amMy feeling is that Pelosi and Reid are ineffectual. How can we get them replaced?
44… Gaul: region in France. Gall: brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence.
Comment by Menehune — December 20, 2007 @ 11:13 am
Damn…I knew it looked wrong not capitalized…and me a Celt. I will have to drink an extra beer in atonement.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:21 amjustasking: I’ve been a Democrat all of my life and my mindset is largely democrat right now. I am just sick and tired of trite excuses at this point. It goes without saying that the problem is the obstructionist Repukes, as I’ve said repeatedly; however, what about all of those Democrats who sided with the obstructionists over the past year?? What about those democrats?
December 20th, 2007 at 11:22 amleftcoast: Pelosi & Reid both have so much dirt in their respective backyards that they are essentially blackmailed at this point by their skeletons. They are ineffective and complicit. I’d love to see the serious democrats take up an action to replace Pelosi and Reid. There are many other democrats in Congress trying to clean up this level of corruption. They are the ones who need to be at the helm of this party.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:24 amjustasking: The answer is “complicity” – plain & simple.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:25 amIf the leadership puts a bill on the floor for a vote and the Democrats in more moderate or right leaning districts / states believe that it will pass anyway, they will vote for it because if they do not it will be used against them. This is why Reid and Pelosi do the party such a great disservice by placing bills on the floor that force Democrats to vote for GOP priorities.
Who knows how the votes would turn if the Democratic leadership stated we’re going to do X and we’re not going to back down, period. That’s really all we want, is a trial run. See what happens. We know how their current playbook looks
December 20th, 2007 at 11:26 amAnd, frankly, during this last bill for the continued blood money for Iraq, there was absolutely NO OPPOSITION EXPRESSED by the Democrats at all!! This is a vulgar exhibition of a capricious group of complicit individuals no longer concerned with the will of the people.
WTF was up with that?
December 20th, 2007 at 11:26 amSuicide bombering, is that a new terrorist tactic only you know about?
Comment by Blue Stater — December 20, 2007 @ 11:01 am
It has something to do with roller derby, I know that.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:27 amI am so sick of the concept of “using things against them” mentality. This is the mentality of a paranoid group of people who can’t step out of the straight jacket of being controlled by perceptions rather than by the concept of doing what’s right.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:28 amDid anyone here hear one iota of condemnation or opposition to giving Bush his continued money for Iraq this past week????
I rest my case.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:29 amWhen are you going to stop hating the Jews and America?
Comment by Frank M — December 20, 2007 @ 11:05 am
I see Jake is still posting nonsense.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:29 amWhere, or where art thou, Ignore List???
I clarify the comment “giving Bush OUR money” – not “his” money.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:30 amjustasking – And I hope that’s your final answer as well.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:31 amDid anyone here hear one iota of condemnation or opposition to giving Bush his continued money for Iraq this past week????
I rest my case.
Comment by Veritas — December 20, 2007 @ 11:29 am
I did hear exactly that on NPR, from a Georgia Democratic representative (sorry, didn’t catch his name). He made an impassioned speech on that very subject. Others have, as well, but unfortunately only a tiny minority (mostly in the House) have done so.
I’m somewhat spoiled here in Oregon with people like deFazio and Blumenauer speaking up on a regular basis. I recognize that it’s not generally true across the nation.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:32 amPo: We have a FISA bill on the books. What the heck are we even considering another? This is the kind of stuff that the democrats CAN control by stating the obvious – We have a FISA bill, no thanks!
December 20th, 2007 at 11:34 amThey do have power and everyone knows it. They’re just afraid, due to their own skeletons, to use it. Everyone knows this as well so they really need to step down.
gummitch: You’re quite fortunate with your state and your vocal representation. I am totally non-plussed as to why there was absolutely no opposition by the Democrats to this continued Iraq funding; in fact, there were “no strings” attached to it at all. What the heck was up with that? Everyone I speak to is hopping mad that the Dems didn’t even posture to be against it. They’re overtly shafting the people, too.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:37 amjustasking: What hot air! Aren’t you quite full of your egoic self? hahah! “infamous thread”?? Now we know who you really are – thanks for outing yourself, piss-soaked troll.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:38 amjustasking is a “concern troll” – posturing as a concerned democrat but we all know who he is. He outs himself sooner or later regardless of which moniker he uses.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:39 amjustasking
The name says it all: CONCERN TROLL
December 20th, 2007 at 11:40 amgummitch: Did your rep just comment on the lack of controversy, discussion, or benchmarks included in the bill or did he provide rationale as to why it was occurring? Interesting….
December 20th, 2007 at 11:40 amI still don’t understand why so much rant is against the Democrats instead of attacking the biggest problem, the Republicans.
Comment by justasking — December 20, 2007 @ 11:21 am
Because attacking the R’s is like breathing around here – it happens automatically.
The D’s have failed the Progressives who put them in power – that can’t be news to anyone paying attention. To then put out this lame little chart vaunting the effectiveness of their term – again, if I were a Progressive this would just be salt in the wounds.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:40 amDieNowForPeace: Right on! Troll outed again! Kudos, all!
December 20th, 2007 at 11:41 amKeltoi: Nice try! Despite the lack of what the voters would term “serious accomplishment”, you can readily see how much more the Democrats have accomplished than their predecessors: The True GOP Criminals who absolutely did nothing but “aid and abet” the total corruption of our system of government. It’s difficult to top that in terms of failure.
Sure, the democrats were unable to accomplish “our” goals, thanks to the Obstructionist R’s who continue their criminal spree on our checkbooks. However, you can’t deny that they managed to eke out some rather impressive accomplishments – certainly tons more than their counterpart thugs.
Having said that, this still falls short of what the people wanted them to accomplish. As long as Herr Bush sits on his throne, the people will not be content.
I believe the people are far more educated these days and know the main reasons why the democrats fell short of their desires this year – BUSH AND HIS SYCOPHANT OBSTRUCTIONISTS – which is the main reason for Congress’ low numbers.
We still would have liked to see the Democrats posturing more on the side of the people in all that’s transpired.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:46 amgummitch: Did your rep just comment on the lack of controversy, discussion, or benchmarks included in the bill or did he provide rationale as to why it was occurring? Interesting….
Comment by Veritas — December 20, 2007 @ 11:40 am
Dunno, but knowing Earl I expect to be reading something in the next week or two after he’s gotten back to Portland. Except for that damn bow tie, he’s a good one.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:46 amThe People need to begin grooming honest, intelligent, worthy democrats and independents to rout the disgusting Repukes out of Congress.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:47 amgummitch: Bowtie!! (Slowly I turn, step by step……I think I’m having a Tucker nightmare!!)….
December 20th, 2007 at 11:48 amtombaker @ 18,
Trouble is, I’m mad. I’ve been paying attention and I don’t feel like our leaders are listening to us. Charts like this are for the couch potatoes who’ve been watching “dancing with the stars”. We are citizens and we’re tired of being lied to.
I agree with po @ 25 about 300%. Little “spinny” charts like this (which try to make us happy with superficialities) just come across to me as patronizing.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:52 amThey didn’t include the continual cave ins to Cheney-Bush and the Republican minority in the chart to show why we continue down the same road of an insane war and constitutional erosion!
December 20th, 2007 at 11:56 amHe needs more support and exposure from progressives.
Comment by justasking — December 20, 2007 @ 11:53 am
Kucinich has been left out by the MSM in a deliberate attempt to promote their favored “front runners”. It is not the progressives, it is the media attempting to steer voters.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:09 pm91 – If the situation is really as bad as you portray, there’s really nothing left to do about it. Might as well be looking to repatriate. I’ve had the very same feelings, but at the end of the day, despair just doesn’t do the trick for me.
If it took us a long time to get where we are, then it’s reasonable to assume it’s going to take a while to get where we want to be – more than a year, for sure.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:10 pmBecause they understand that the war cannot be stopped just because the fringe left wants it. The war on terror will last until we’ve won.
Comment by Frank M — December 20, 2007 @ 10:50 am
The war on terror is already lost. The US can no more stamp out the terrorists we have created and funded than it can justify the mass murder of innocent Iraqis by a series of lies.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:11 pmgummitch: Bowtie!! (Slowly I turn, step by step……I think I’m having a Tucker nightmare!!)….
Comment by Veritas — December 20, 2007 @ 11:48 am
When he was a city councilman I took a decided dislike to him, primarily because he’s a career politician and I always thought of him as too slick. He did show up at the Greek Festival with pins urging people to “Vote for Blumenopolis”, which was pretty funny. Once he got to Congress, he turned out to be a solid progressive and a great representative for Portland. Other than that damn tie!
December 20th, 2007 at 12:11 pmThe war on terror is already lost.
Comment by Lefty Patriot — December 20, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
The US lost the “War on Terra” when the pictures from Abu-Grabass hit the news, when the pictures of babies with their skin burned off by WP hit the news, when news the US was kidnapping people and torturing them hit the news.
All of these nazi tactics only served to recruit people to fight against us.
We took the favor of the world after 9/11 and turned it against us because Bush is a fscking moron.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:16 pmI’m beginning to think that this lack of aggressiveness by commenters here relating to the other side of the aisle is the same type of “lack of balls†that is pinned on Democrats. Where’s Code Pink when you need them?
Comment by justasking — December 20, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Exactly. We need more Democrats elected for this to change. And badmouthing those trying and failing to make changes doesn’t help anything. If all this naysaying convinces people that nothing can change and they stay away from the polls then what has been accomplished?
December 20th, 2007 at 12:20 pmI will have to drink an extra beer in atonement.
Comment by Keltoi — December 20, 2007 @ 11:21 am
I think you’ve had enough.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:25 pmI will have to drink an extra beer in atonement.
Comment by Keltoi — December 20, 2007 @ 11:21 am
I think you’ve had enough.
Comment by Shayne — December 20, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
Besides, an extra beer is a reward, not a punishment.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:33 pmBesides, an extra beer is a reward, not a punishment.
Comment by gummitch — December 20, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
You are on to me…
December 20th, 2007 at 12:34 pmIf 2006 had gone the other way, that is to say that if Republicans had gained ground, then think of what our life would be today.
There would have been no hope for raising the minimum wage, the government would sink deeper into secrecy, etc. etc.
If you could subtract the Republican obstructionists from the Congress popularity poll, then the numbers would tick up a bit.
2008 is the most important election in my lifetime. We must change course for America and restore our honor.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:34 pm.
Pass all the bills they want, until WARRANTLESS is recognized as illegal and TORTURE is recognized as being illegal that FRAUD is illegal, Congress shames America by doing nothing to support and defend OUR RIGHTS.
.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:35 pmComment by gummitch — December 20, 2007 @ 10:32 am
You don’t actually subscribe to the Oregonian do you? I stopped taking it two years ago when I realized I was not getting the news I needed to read about. I also stopped taking the Corvallis newspaper for the same reason.
I now get all my news on-line. I do watch Countdown just to see Keith getting all worked up about the news of the day. I’m glad he is there because there are some people who don’t get their news from the internet or newspapers.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:45 pmInspite of succeeding against your “promises”, it was your attempts to lose the War in Iraq that has your popularity far below that of Bush’s.
You can wave that around all you want, but to move your numbers, you have to tell people what you intend to do in the future. If it is constantly attempting to undermine US war efforts, you will lose in 2008.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:13 pmto all Progressives: Your MAJORITY failed you in both houses. They ran on ending the war and did not. They ran on ending “Warrantless” they did not. Closing Guantanamo, ah NOO! Expanding SHIP, that would be a NO. Ending Earmarks: expanded them. Fiscal responsibility- what a joke! They even tried to sneak in the dream act, something the vast majority of Americans are against- thankfully NO again!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:06 pmYou can look at it two ways:
1) they either out right lied to their base or
2) They are totally incompetent
Lets not talk about the “trolls” on the other side who used filibusters, parliamentary procedures, point of orders etc. Are you naive enough to believe that they were blind sided by these procedures?
There is one other possibility: the “base” was USED, whipped into a unrealistic frenzy of expecation for the sole purpose of maximizing donations. Pity the BDS infected, frothing base!
How strange to read through 112 posts on a subject like this and have nobody point out that at 62 filibusters, the 110th congress republicans have set the historical record for obstruction. Never in the history of our country has one party obstructed so much legislation and so much of the will of the majority. The craven political strategy of the current repubs in congress is unprecidented. 62 FILIBUSTERS!!! THE MOST IN HISTORY.
Such is the power of corporate media propaganda that people aren’t even aware of this.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:14 pmWhat, no response from the brave conservatives who have been bashing Democrats because they couldn’t overcome the most legislative obstruction in the history of our country? 62 FILIBUSTERS IS THE MOST IN AMERICAN HISTORY! The republicans in congress have obstructed the most legislation in American history. Hey have obstructed the will of the majority of the American people to an unprecidented degree. They have distinguished themselves as the most cravenly cynical political party in history. Hopefully, the voters will remember. Hopefully, the voters will make them pay.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:49 pmConservative and proud to be an a-hole: “Lets not talk about the “trolls†on the other side who used filibusters, parliamentary procedures, point of orders etc.”
Why not, a-hole? That’s the way the chamber works. Were you jacking off instead of listening in civics class?
December 20th, 2007 at 6:04 pmConservative and proudly stupid: “Your MAJORITY failed you in both houses.”
Get a clue, moron. Ours is the only democratic system in the world where the majority does not necessarily win. Crack open a book and stop acting like you know what you’re talking about.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:06 pmHey Southern Man, how many of your republicans who signed on to term limits as part of their “Republican revolution” honored their pledge and left after two terms?
December 20th, 2007 at 6:07 pmJason M Hendler now:
[...] you will lose in 2008.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 20, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
Jason M Hendler back then:
Have you prepared your rants for your losses on Nov. 7?
Comment by Jason+M.+Hendler — October 26, 2006 @ 3:28 pm
I predict the Dem will lose by at least 4 percent.
Comment by Jason+M.+Hendler — October 25, 2006 @ 10:52 pm
I understand you won’t hear me now, but after Nov. 7, you can review my teachings, and drink in the wisdom.
Comment by Jason+M.+Hendler — October 2, 2006 @ 6:31 pm
Reichwingers & assorted Bush cultists: They simply have no self-awareness whatsoever. Otherwise they’d be too embarrassed to keep spouting their drivel.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:56 am