What a sorry bunch of politicians
Having spent 71 years on this planet and coming from a politically oriented
family, I would just like to express my disgust with today's politicians.
Congress as a whole is nothing but a bunch of self-serving slobs whose only goal
in life is to get re-elected. They care little of what their constituents think
and answer e-mails with form letters that are automatically generated. Should
you write to them about an unpopular subject, they rarely respond. If you call
one of their offices, you get some kid who knows little or nothing and gives you
lip service.
I have never seen a sorrier bunch than what we have in Congress today. Most of
our state representatives are not much better; they are looking to move up into
national politics.
I do not know what it will take to change this but I have decided I will not
vote for incumbents regardless of what side of the aisle they represent.
It is a sad time in this country's history and I hope - for my grandkids' sakes
- it will change. I know it will not be any different for me, but people better
start realizing that we are in a crisis. There is zero bipartisanship and it is the us-against-them mentality.
Ed Saltzman, Grand Lake
I agree with you Ed! It is also time for the American people to wake up to what is going on in our government and start fighting to stop it. We need to remind our elected leaders that it is "We the people" not the other way around! Sitting on our duffs is not going to change anything, neither is whinning about it. It is time for people to get involved.
Posted by Lisa on October 23, 2007 05:00 AMyou are correct and now a whole lot of them are promoting socialism here and promising the world to anyone who will vote for them. what seems to be lacking in understanding these selfserving politicians is how is everything they promise going to be paid for?
we tried term limits but the politicians had the balls to go to the supreme court and get them to side with them that they are not legal in all states.
we cant cut their pay or benefits because it is them that set them up and maintain them and have pay raises set on auto raises every year.
Dead on, Ed. My father was in politics for years (both parties!) and felt he was making a contribution locally and nationally. Yet about 10 years ago he threw in the towel because he could not stand the people on both sides of the aisle he was forced to work with. We talked about it this summer and he feels it has only gotten worse since then.
Posted by Mac on October 23, 2007 06:48 AMMac said of his father:
"...about 10 years ago he threw in the towel because he could not stand the people on both sides of the aisle he was forced to work with."
He's a quitter eh?
(joking)
Posted by Charles B. on October 23, 2007 07:43 AMWhat a sorry bunch of politicians
What a sorry bunch of voters.
Posted by on October 23, 2007 07:50 AMEd: My thoughts exactly, don't vote for any incumbent. It is obvious that both parties are working for one reason. To get re-elected.
Next we need to clean house in Washington and replace all of the bureaucratic workers that only work to justify their jobs.
Posted by Don Evans on October 23, 2007 08:06 AMLegalize Freedom. Our representative democracy has turned into an aristocracy. For generations, Congress has passed law after law after law: Each, abridges freedom. We divide up into immaginary camps of R and D, and restrict ourselves further. Is there a free country left in the world?
Posted by Freebird on October 23, 2007 08:10 AMWhat I always find interesting is that people always think is not their beloved party that's the problem, when there's no difference between the two any more.
It's not a good thing when greed takes over the government.
Posted by Bear on October 23, 2007 08:38 AMThe only thing that will work to fix the problem now is a nation wide tax embargo by the taxpayers . Refuse to pay taxes and what would they do? They could not do anything because there would be no money for them to pay for judges, trials etc. But then getting people to do that is next to impossible. What then is left? Sue the jerks in federal court for fraud in using are money without our permission for things that are contrary to the best interests of the public.
Posted by Allen Campbell on October 23, 2007 08:42 AMIt's because the first thing they do after swearing in is to take the AIPAC pledge of allegiance. Both parties are owened by AIPAC.AIPAC is operating as a de-facto agent of a foreign government. Read www.wrmea.com to find out which candidates accepted AIPAC campaign contributions, then vote for somebody else.
Posted by on October 23, 2007 08:44 AMright on Ed.
like I've always said;
the only way to Save the USA
is to Impeach Congress!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by on October 23, 2007 08:48 AMThanks Karl Rove, we'll be better off when you're dead
Posted by on October 23, 2007 09:05 AMGreat points.
I encourage all concerned to do some research and find out which members (or party) in Congress and in the Executive Branch have simply refused to enact the will of the American people. Find out which members and/or party are obstructing legislation and initiatives with the support of the vast majority of Americans.
Now here's the tough party...no matter if they're members of your own party of choice....have the intellectual honesty to fire their asses at the polls.
Posted by jay on October 23, 2007 09:06 AMEd,your right.We have a majority in congress who want us to lose the war on terror,give terrorist more rights than Americans,they want to screw up our healthcare,let S.S. run out,give the biggest tax increase in our history to the middle class.There biggest goal is to change the constitution to only benefit themselves and a few of there left-wingnut supporters.
Posted by Keith on October 23, 2007 09:36 AMKeith you are the problem that Ed is trying to address. You are why these clowns do what the do because they have morons like you that defend everything they do just because they belong to your party. And if anyone questions them you call them village idiots. The two party system and those that support those parties are our biggest problem. You are a GOP sucker.
Posted by larry on October 23, 2007 09:54 AMHey Larry,
Where's Moe and Curly?
Jay,
You were doing so good, right up to the point when you added the Executive Branch. That is when you liberal side jumped out. This blog is about getting the Neo-cons, fighting only for big business and the socialist fighting only for their own power, out of Congress. What this country needs are more statesmen/women who want what is best for everyone, and not just a select few, rich or poor.
The question is will people like Jay, Keith and many others be willing to put aside their political garbage and actually take a objective look at the problems we face and find the solutions to fix them.
I am betting they won't because their hatred for the opposing party goes clear to the bone. And the madness continues.
Posted by jgd777 on October 23, 2007 10:18 AMSo folks take your pick, you can be a soulless bloodthirsty terrorist creating war profiteer, or you can be a spineless godless bleeding heart terrorist enabler. It's so sad when you read these forums, you are either one or the other. That is why I dont fly the flag in front of my door!
Posted by TJ on October 23, 2007 10:22 AM"You were doing so good, right up to the point when you added the Executive Branch."
And jdg777...you almost did a convincing job of playing the centrist until you insisted the Republican Administration shouldn't be held accountable for obstructing legislation and initiatives with the support of the vast majority of Americans.
You were close...but no cigar.
Posted by jay on October 23, 2007 10:38 AMBattered Dems to circumvent MSM :
"House Democratic leaders, concerned about the public’s downbeat view of Congress, launched a public relations offensive Monday to polish the image of the new majority after a series of legislative setbacks this month.
The campaign, ranging from traditional events to conference calls with groups outside of Washington, is designed to circumvent the national news media. Democratic operatives believe that Washington reporters are so fixated on the party’s failing standoff with President Bush over Iraq that no other message is reaching the public."
-----
Sorry, dems, the cat's already out of the bag. Reid and Pelosi (what happened to that first 100-hour house cleaning, Nancy?) have made complete fools of themselves with their stunning incompetence and ineffectiveness. America knows and that's why your record-low approval is pusinng single digit. And you can't hide it by end-running your very own MSM either
Jay,
You've just proved my point! In your mind it is not politicians in general that are causing the problems it is only the Republican politicians. And now some right wing nut can jump in and accuse the Democrats of causing all of the problems. As I stated before "the madness continues"
Posted by jgd777 on October 23, 2007 10:58 AMThe obvious answer to the problems listed by the writer is public financing of campaigns. Neither party would be in favor because it cuts them off from the special interest cash they are addicted to. It provides them the wheels of power, not the strength of their ideas.
No campaign fundraising means equal competition in the marketplace of ideas, and politicians who can govern instead of cash-whoring all the time.
This requires a constiutuional amendment since corporations and unions are "people" with free speech rights, and money is free speech.
I don't know what the ideal system would be, but abandoning retail politics would return the political voice to the people, where it belongs.
Posted by Science Guy on October 23, 2007 11:06 AMthe only problem is that the majority of the people on this country are so brainwashed or too stupid to make the change.
eventually it will come to revolution , because it will have to !
Posted by Fresh on October 23, 2007 11:22 AMSo one cries that we need a change and both sides just blame it on the other. Oh it's the Dem's it's the Rep's. When in fact their isn't a tinkers damn worth of difference between the two. I am fed up with BOTH side of this rich get richer game you all play. Our current crop just has the distinction off being the worst in History and the only reason he has not been IMPEACHED is because the Rep's did that to the last one and the world would really laugh if we did it twice in a row. I must admit for all the HARM impeaching Clinton did to this country it was a clever move to keep the Dem's (CANDYASSES) from dong the same thing. You know what I am in favor of enforcing the laws we have. Meaning I am in favor of the Bill of Rights!
I am sick of the wealthy running things in government. I am sick of both sides being more worried about getting re-elected so they can PUSH which ever side of the restrictive public policy they wish to create. And most of all I am sick of you screaming parrots that can do nothing but repeat the drivel each side puts out. Can't either of you think for yourselves?
If this country won't enforce it's own laws then their is no LAW! Both parties and particularly the current LIER IN CHEF are only after what's good for them.
I have paid into S.S all my working life because I HAD too! So which ever rat bastard now wants to tell me OPPS you should not of trusted us.... can expect to "o s h t"
I choose to live free in my life and I will not be giving any of that up any time soon. So get used to the idea that while I may not have all the answers At least I am not lying about my motives. Which is more then you can say for either PARTY now!
Posted by bluesone on October 23, 2007 11:31 AMSo one cries that we need a change and both sides just blame it on the other. Oh it's the Dem's it's the Rep's. When in fact their isn't a tinkers damn worth of difference between the two. I am fed up with BOTH side of this rich get richer game you all play. Our current crop just has the distinction off being the worst in History and the only reason he has not been IMPEACHED is because the Rep's did that to the last one and the world would really laugh if we did it twice in a row. I must admit for all the HARM impeaching Clinton did to this country it was a clever move to keep the Dem's (CANDYASSES) from dong the same thing. You know what I am in favor of enforcing the laws we have. Meaning I am in favor of the Bill of Rights!
I am sick of the wealthy running things in government. I am sick of both sides being more worried about getting re-elected so they can PUSH which ever side of the restrictive public policy they wish to create. And most of all I am sick of you screaming parrots that can do nothing but repeat the drivel each side puts out. Can't either of you think for yourselves?
If this country won't enforce it's own laws then their is no LAW! Both parties and particularly the current LIER IN CHEF are only after what's good for them.
I have paid into S.S all my working life because I HAD too! So which ever rat bastard now wants to tell me OPPS you should not of trusted us.... can expect to "o s h t"
I choose to live free in my life and I will not be giving any of that up any time soon. So get used to the idea that while I may not have all the answers At least I am not lying about my motives. Which is more then you can say for either PARTY now!
Posted by on October 23, 2007 11:32 AMWWW.RonPaul2008.org
A vote for Dr Ron Paul is a vote to begin repairing this nation.
A vote for anyone else is a vote for keeping this runaway train going on it's path to destruction.
" In your mind it is not politicians in general that are causing the problems it is only the Republican politicians"
Did I state that in my original post? Of course not. Your strawman arguments betray your partisan hackery my friend.
Thou doth protest too much
Nice try though
I'll say it again for the cheap seats. Do some research and find out which members/party are/is obstructing legislation and initiatives with the support of the vast majority of Americans and make them pay at the polls.
vote libertarian
Posted by bjs on October 23, 2007 11:54 AMDon't worry, once we all start doing the "electronic voting" thing, the votes will be changed by whoever is in control.
It's amazing how much greed for money and power has taken over the government.
Posted by Bear on October 23, 2007 11:57 AMJay,
"Did I state that in my original post?"
How could you babble out all of the garbage about holding both parties responsible for going against the majority of the Americans.
Does that include the Dems for trying to push through the Amnesty bill, which was opposed by the vast majority of the Americans and defeated by the Republicans. Or should we just research the issues you are opposed too?
The post from 11:32 covers how the majority of the Americans really feel. Fed up with both parties and the liars that are suppose to be representing all Americans.
Posted by jgd777 on October 23, 2007 12:09 PM"Does that include the Dems for trying to push through the Amnesty bill"
Actually the vast majority of the country supports a guest worker program with a path to citizenship....and by the way...it was the Republicans in Congress that added enough junk to that piece of legislation to kill it...the american people had nothing to do with it. Take a civics class my friend.
Now....do you have any other questions or do you agree that we should hold those members and administrations accountable for not supporting the wishes of the vast majority of americans?
Posted by jay on October 23, 2007 12:55 PMGood post Bear. It's not who you vote for that counts, it's who counts the votes.
Posted by Stan B on October 23, 2007 12:56 PMeven though my last post wasnt posted it wouldnt sol
ve anything..we would end up with more of the same!
Money = Power = Corruption
We need to stop thinking that throwing money at Congress is going to fix problems. It will only facilitate more corruption.
Posted by on October 23, 2007 02:32 PMjay is looking for a populist politician that will vote for whatever the polls tell him to vote for regardless of the wisdom (or lack of) of the common folk.
jay is arguing that any politician who does not vote consistent with polling data is "obstructing" legislation. That is not why we vote for representatives. Representatives are supposed to use wisdom, not just polling data, in determining what (or what not to) vote for. Otherwise, we could simply put polling corporations in charge of this country.
Posted by John II on October 23, 2007 04:36 PMJohn, thanks once again for giving us a textbook example of an apologist for the far right wing.
Rush would be proud
Posted by jay on October 23, 2007 05:23 PMjay,
Your response did not match my comments.
Posted by John II on October 23, 2007 05:40 PMAccording to the polls over 95% of the people think Jay is an idiot, So I guess it must be true.
Posted by on October 23, 2007 06:14 PMJohn II,
If elected representatives do not respond to the will of their constituents, then they're really not that "representative" at all are they?
Your point is taken that politicians should use their cognitive skills and not polling data to inform their decisions, but these same skills should also be used to discern when there is overwhelming popular support for an idea or legislative agenda. The proper response in such an instance is to pursue a deeper understanding of your constituents wishes even if they are at odds with your own agenda. You might even find they provide some compelling arguments. If not, then vote your conscience- or take the easy way out and caucus with your party.
The great thing about representative government is that there is an expiration date on every politician that generally coincides with their constituent's wishes being at odds with their own on major issues of the day.
Jay was merely saying that purely partisan obstruction uninformed by conscience and/or at odds with the popular will of constituents should be treated harshly at the polls regardless of party affiliation.
He thinks that if that happens the issues he supports will win the day in the long run.
Posted by Charles B. on October 23, 2007 08:02 PMJohn II, if those politicians actually used some wisdom as you suggest they should, I doubt we would even be discussing this!
Posted by Mac on October 23, 2007 08:09 PMSo what do you folks think about public financing, or would you rather bicker?
Posted by Science Guy on October 23, 2007 08:41 PMCharles B.
Well said, however when has the "popular support" that you talk of received the truth about what they are defending or objecting to? Can anyone truly say the understand the full extend of the SCHIP program, war in Iraq, immigration proposals or any other issue facing this country. The only thing we know is what the media, and our politicians are telling us. Quite honestly I think they are both distorting the truth for political reasons. I mean that for both sides of the aisle.
When and if our politicians and media ever present the total truth to the people, then and only then will I start to believe in poll results and the so call "overwhelming popular support"
Posted by jgd777 on October 23, 2007 09:09 PMBear is right. We just saw what happened with the Rockies ticket fiasco. And who is to say the presidential election won't actually go the same way or something similar to it?
If there are no paper ballots to verify votes, and all there are is electronic voting, nobody can verify anything. We should eliminate electronic voting and get back to paper (verifiable) ballots. Who cares if it takes a day or two to count them all.
jgd777:
The only thing we know is what the media, and our politicians are telling us.
Not completely true. You can read the actual legislation they consider, and watch the actual process unfold on C-SPAN.
Most people just don't bother, and that's understandable. However, when I say overwhelming popular support the implication is that the idea or proposal is so sound and reasonable that the general public probably does have a basic understanding of it.
The application of ideas is always more difficult to understand than the ideas themselves. The public expects that their representatives will take care of the minutia in the application of the ideas they support.
Posted by Charles B. on October 24, 2007 01:45 PMCharles B
"Not completely true. You can read the actual legislation they consider, and watch the actual process unfold on C-SPAN.
Most people just don't bother, and that's understandable. However, when I say overwhelming popular support the implication is that the idea or proposal is so sound and reasonable that the general public probably does have a basic understanding of it."
The only understanding they have is what their party is telling them to think. Ask the majority: Does Bush want an SCHIP program? Would children currently receiving SCHIP benefits lose them if Bush had his way? If they are Democrats their answers would be NO and YES in that order. I know that simply from reading the blogs.
And when you are done with that you can ask them how many have heard about the effects of the Surge in Iraq. Ask how many know, four major categories have been reduced by over 60%. Civilian deaths, car bombings, Iraqi soldiers deaths and US military deaths have all decreased over 60% in the last eight months.
And don't even get me started with immigration. The "majority support" for citizenship is a crock, the "majority support" is for border security.
The majority are a flock of sheep being led by self serving politicians and the lying media
Posted by jgd777 on October 24, 2007 05:29 PMjg...I suggest you open your eyes and find out what the vast majority of Americans support...and then reconcile that with the voting records of your chosen politicians.
Posted by jay on October 25, 2007 11:16 PM