Democrats Control Congress for 7 Months... And?

Dear All:

Just wanted to get a quick report card from those who support and even those who do not the policies of the Democrat Party in Congress. What are the major accomplishments? I believe orginally there was quite a list to do in 100 days. We are past that now by quite a few… I understand that this Congress also has the lowest approval ratings in the history of such ratings. Why is that?

They’ve uncovered a lot of information about unsavory and perhaps criminal behavior on the part of members of the Bush Administration.

I’m disappointed that the issue of impeachment isn’t being pursued more aggressively, but other than that I’m satisfied with the amount that’s been uncovered in a short six months of oversight and investigation. The only thing stopping us from truly blowing the secret dealings of the Bush Administration wide open is the lack of cloture power in the Senate (what with the Republicans filibustering, even after they tried to scrap the tactic of filibustering over the previous couple years…)

Because your favourite President Bush has lost not only the US credibility abroad but any credibility domestic policticians hope to have at home.

History will judge Bush as one of the worst US presidents.

I doubt that.

Dow 14,000.

I doubt that.

Dow 14,000.[/quote]
Yes, I doubt it too. There’s no need of “one of” and “___s”.
And what’s the Dow–one measure of one aspect of a very big picture–got to do with it?

What’s Congress done? Not a lot. There hasn’t been one country invaded this year! What the hell?

Actually TC we should stop buying the USA’s older rusting 2nd hand junkyard weaponry. The USA only wants to sell it’s surplus junk as better than new prices.

We’ll be better off with cheaper Chinese made equipment. :smiley: :smiley:

[quote]Seven months into the current two-year term, the Senate has held 42 “cloture” votes aimed at shutting off extended debate — filibusters, or sometimes only the threat of one — and moving to up-or-down votes on contested legislation. Under Senate rules that protect a minority’s right to debate, these votes require a 60-vote supermajority in the 100-member Senate.

Democrats have trouble mustering 60 votes; they’ve fallen short 22 times so far this year. That’s largely why they haven’t been able to deliver on their campaign promises.

By sinking a cloture vote this week, Republicans successfully blocked a Democratic bid to withdraw combat troops from Iraq by April, even though a 52-49 Senate majority voted to end debate.

This year Republicans also have blocked votes on immigration legislation, a no-confidence resolution for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and major legislation dealing with energy, labor rights and prescription drugs.

Nearly 1 in 6 roll-call votes in the Senate this year have been cloture votes. If this pace of blocking legislation continues, this 110th Congress will be on track to roughly triple the previous record number of cloture votes — 58 each in the two Congresses from 1999-2002, according to the Senate Historical Office.[/quote]
mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/18218.html

Actually, I thought the Republicans would go along with popular issues like stem cells and the minimum wage, but apparently they’ve decided smacking themselves on the head with the Iraq hammer isn’t painful enough- though they did cave on student loans t’other day.

Basically, there’s not much the Democrats can do, given the 50/50 split, (with Holy Joe voting with the Republicans on most issues)- except of course, blame the obstructionist GOP in 2008.

And the reason Congress is at record lows is a lot of people are pissed off at the Democratic leadership for not being aggressive enough on ending the war- looks like Harry Reid at least has got the message.

[quote]The results of the latest NY Times/CBS News poll (July 9-17) continue to bode well for Democrats in 2008.

If the 2008 election for President were being held today, would you probably vote for the Republican candidate or would you probably vote for the Democratic candidate?

Democratic: 47%
Republican: 32%

In general, is your opinion of the Republican party favorable or not favorable?

Favorable: 38%
Unfavorable: 56%

In general, is your opinion of the Democratic party favorable or not favorable?

Favorable: 52%
Unfavorable: 41%

The poll also asked primary voters of each party whether they’re satisfied with their candidates and, while it’s conventional wisdom, I was struck by the enormous disparity in enthusiasm between the two parties:

Are you generally satisfied with the candidates now running for the Democratic nomination for President, or do you wish there were more choices?

Satisfied: 61%
More Choices: 37%

Are you generally satisfied with the candidates now running for the Republican nomination for President, or do you wish there were more choices?

Satisfied: 36%
More Choices: 60%[/quote]

mydd.com/

Currently, the winning choice for Republican candidate is Nota- as in “None of the above”- why don’t they just dig up Reagan’s body and get it over with?

The Dems have not been able to pass much legislation given Bush’s veto powers, but they have been able to finally conduct some of the oversight that had been sorely missing over the previous 6 years. The power to conduct investigations has revealed a lot of how the Bush administration has tried to pervert the DOJ with their extremist partisan politics as well as those of numerous other government agencies down to even the people who oversee the maintenance and construction of federal buildings holding internal meetings for rank-and-file government employees with speakers from Rove’s office coming over to explain how routine building openings can be used to help advance the GOP election efforts.

There are Bush administration appointees who testify that their oath of office is to the president, not to “uphold the Constitution” and that’s a serious problem that’s brought us to where we are now.

These Republicans are people who simply feel the rules separating the political and administrative functions are beneath them – they love the idea of a nation that works solely on the basis of patronage for their favored few. Exposing this corruption (and hopefully eventually knocking it down) has been one key benefit of the past months of Dems running Congress.

Yes, Fred, you’re so right. I mean why have Dem and republicans at all. Let’s just abolish the House and Senate, and have the regional governors rule directly. With the power of the death star, no one will oppose the Emperor.

That is so cute… California is like so awesome!

That is so cute… California is like so awesome![/quote]

You’re master of the obvious. It sure as hell is better than most of the other 49 states (contiguous).

Totally. Fer Sure!

fer shure dude…like…are them Oakleys man?

California politics and taxes are, and have been, driving business from the state for the last 10 years.
Yes, I know about the global position of the State of Californias’ economic power. And yes it is a beautiful place - I’ve lived in the Bay, both in the City and in SSf (when it was a nice place) and also on PCH down south in OC - but it just ain’t the place to be if you want to keep your hard earned money. Business or personal.

Comprede’ ?

fer shure dude…like…are them Oakleys man?

California politics and taxes are, and have been, driving business from the state for the last 10 years.
Yes, I know about the global position of the State of Californias’ economic power. And yes it is a beautiful place - I’ve lived in the Bay, both in the City and in SSf (when it was a nice place) and also on PCH down south in OC - but it just ain’t the place to be if you want to keep your hard earned money. Business or personal.

Comprede’ ?[/quote]

ooh, I’ve got both Mr. Right and Mr. More Right breathing down my neck. woohoo.

Comprende this my amigo,

  1. sarcasm

  2. I’m not californian

  3. Yes, I agree that it’s getting costlier to live, but I was personally referring to the geography of California which I like more than any state, with the exception of Oregon and Washington, and Hawaii (hint, I like the Pacific Rim, and no, I’ve never been to Alaska)

  4. Yes, I know a and I know b, you know d and you know c… ice cream for everyone!!!

Gnarly. That is so rad… that it is killer… bitchin’!

I can just picture you saying these words. haha. in fact, the next time we meet, hopefully at a fredfest (hint, hint), we can make this our new greeting to one another. but only if you come attired in your dark green (or blue) velvet jacket. I’ll bring my Oakleys for TC.

haha. THAT is a deal! haha

Hate to interrupt this little love fest, but a few more polls:

Why the Democratic Congress’s approval has dropped among Democratic supporters:

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/

Well, tough shit. We are staying in Iraq and that is final. I have spoken my last words on the subject so kindly do not bring this up again or I will send you to your room without supper (oh shit. No doubt that will infringe upon some rights under the Geneva Convention, especially if I swear with exasperation while doing so…) Something about cruel and unusual punishment.

And in breaking news.

Control of Iraq policy has been handed over to Fred Smith. It is widely believed that an anonymous internet Fredbot can do a better job than the Bush administration.

We now return you to your regular programming.