There's no doubt that the current system is broken. But the Democrats have zero good ideas with the rare exception of environmental policy. So blocking them while accomplishing nothing is actually addition by subtraction.
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There's no doubt that the current system is broken. But the Democrats have zero good ideas with the rare exception of environmental policy. So blocking them while accomplishing nothing is actually addition by subtraction.
I don't know why this is hard. Bush + GOP House + GOP Senate = Passed stuff. Obama + Donkey House + Donkey Senate = a steaming pile. Try again on who is to blame. At least Frog is living in the real world and blaming the right people and the system.Quote:
Originally Posted by dave is ok
The fact is, most legislation proposed by democrats (and republicans, for that matter) is actually not very controversial or divisive, but it's shocking how even in these cases, Republicans have been voting no just to keep democrats from having a feather in their cap come next election. Stuff like healthcare is a major thing with conflicting ideologies, but most legislation is not like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
The democrats have proven to be exceptionally willing to compromise and work with Republicans in the last two years, and this should have been a real opportunity for both parties to get something done during a time of crisis, and the opportunity was just squandered by selfish people.
Obama's message, however naive it may have been, was always one of cooperation, and that's the climate in which the system actually DOES work. I'm not really sure the system is broken or just the republican party's unwillingness to participate in it as it was designed.See, I just don't think this is how it's supposed to work. I think congress is designed to be a place of debate and compromise, not glorified transistor that gets set to "Agenda A" or "Agenda B".Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
I see one party trying to run a governement, and another party trying to win a government. Ideologies of those parties aside, I think this is a real problem, and even if you believe in the Republican platform, I'd love to see this aspect criticized more often. Checks and balances don't exist to ensure legislation is only passed when there's total control of all branches by a single party. It's a way to force people to work together.
What is considered a 'GOP Senate' or 'Donkey Senate'? It's pretty clear that any less than 60 isn't enough at this point.
Who had the majority. We're not trying to pass Amendments, so 51 is enough to do anything you want if you can keep your ducks in a row.
Barrie. And I don't mean that we have snow right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brisco Bold
And really? Hamilton? That's an insult.
It's not the military, congressmen aren't supposed to take orders from the captain. They're supposed to immerse themselves in the debate and find the solution that's best for the people, even if it requires compromise. The "51= OUR TURN" mentality is the kind of idiocy that got us where we are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
lol hamilton
Then you better blow up political parties. Because as long as there is an aisle, there's not going to be a lot of people crossing it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
I may be poor on my political history, but is it the case that we are getting more partisan as the years go by? Or does it just seem really bad now and therefore I am justifying it by saying it is worse than ever?