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Sen. John McCain (R) has placed a "hold" on the nomination of James Clapper to be Director of National Intelligence.
"McCain requested a specific report from Mr. Clapper, and until that report is provided, Sen. McCain will continue to hold his nomination," said his spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan. His office declined to specify the nature of the report.
Clapper's nomination was passed out of the Senate Intelligence Committee with unanimous support last week.
The "hold" doesn't necessarily doom the nomination. It has the effect of a filibuster, which will require 60 votes to break it. More than likely it means any vote on Clapper's nomination won't come until at least September -- after Congress returns from its summer recess.
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President Obama should simply utilize his recess appointment capability. I wonder why Senator McCain's office declined to identify the type of report it requested? Could it be that it's a smokescreen for more obstruction from the GOP? Hmmmm???
These games should stop. The nominees should produce all the documents requested. This process is a very carefully orchestrated game. It is the same for ANY administration. The end game is to see if the the requestor's demand for material (and held back) can withstand the administration's public push to get the nominee pushed through - claiming any delay is political.
It is time for the old man to pack up his medals and go home. He needs to go out being remembered for what he was, not what he's becoming. It's sad.
Nooooo,,,do you really think Republicans would do that? It must be McShames turn to hold something up for NO logical reason other than to delat Obamas Agenda.
awww, u poor lil whiny dumbocrats, u cant do anything right even w majorities in both houses!
What?
A republican blocking something in the Senate? No way, that never happens.
Silly little games. It doesn't matter to McNasty that unanimous vote came from committee and that Clapper is likely to be confirmed but Mc Nasty has to grandstand and make noise. Jealous that he didn't get the nod from the voters to continue the slide into the sewer started by Bush and co. It is long past time for OLD Johnny to retire with is trophy wife where they can take one of their several cars and visit each of their several houses one per week for variety. Feeble old man might think he is in a totally new place and enjoy all the adventures that come with traveling. WAKE UP ARIZONA!
Maybe McCain wants to know what the guy knows about his activities while a "guest" of the North Vietnamese. After all, McCain used his Senate position to sway his vote for normalizing relations with Vietnam for their promise to permanently close the Blue Files (records of prisoner activities and interrogations.) This denies hundreds of POW/MIA families access to potential information about the fates of their loved ones. Maybe Clapper is going to spill the beans on McCain. [For more information on what I'm talking about, google McCain and Songbird.]
phugoid, are you completely unaware of the effect of the supermajority rules in the Senate, or just being obnoxious?
John B, Des Moines, IA
No he doesn't understand, just another Repub plant on the site making ignorant assumptions because facts are like onions and garlic, good for you but stink when you have to eat them. Phigoid is either ignorant or another tool let out w/o his meds.
McCain's actions puts our national security at risk. Next the Republicans will use that fact that the post is vacant to accuse Obama of being lack with at protecting America. Why didn't McCain state the nature of the requested report? Because it is a smokescreen to filibuster progress in Washington. Obstructionist! I'm going to say NO to the party of NO in NOvember.
phugoid must have missed the 'It has the effect of a filibuster, which will require 60 votes to break it' line because then they would know that there at not 60 Democrats in the Senate.
To Ginger in Las Vegas.....I'm with you!
So give him the report. What's so hard about that, or is someone covering something up?
And he'll just come up with some other phony, extraneous request. This isn't about vetting a candidate, it's about stopping him in order to make things difficult for the White House. What's so hard about understanding that?
I am so outraged that I must pass this on. Please begin to make the calls to stop this ..contact the local and national media...and congress 1.800.828.0498!
This is what the Idiot from Oklahoma and buddies are trying to do to our military:
Source: Debt Commission Fights Over Freezing Military Pay, Slashing Benefits
Brian Beutler | August 5, 2010, 2:30PM
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President Barack Obama with Defense Secretary Robert Gates (left), and Navy Admiral Michael Mullen (right)
Republicans would like you to think that Democrats have sinister plans for the post-election lame duck session of Congress, and Democrats are at pains to insist otherwise. But the one winter initiative progressives fear most is being crafted off the Hill by the White House's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. Though most of the commission's work occurs behind closed doors in small working groups, early reports indicate that the GOP's unwillingness to support any significant tax increases are pushing the group toward proposed entitlement slashes and larger budget cuts.
And while Americans might expect that the commission would look at all spending, some members are seemingly using their positions to advance professional interests. A source familiar with the proceedings of the working group on discretionary spending tells TPM that some commissioners, including one military contractor, would prefer to save money by freezing military pay and scaling back benefits, rather than by eliminating waste in defense contracting.
The source said that different members of the commission come down on different sides of the issue. The discussion group is led by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), whose primary aim is trimming fat on the contractor side, but, according to the source, David Cote, the Honeywell CEO who was appointed to the panel by President Obama, is pushing to find savings elsewhere.
"Coburn raised concerns about all of the cost overruns and redundant weapons system," the source told TPM. "Cote made excuses for it all."
According to the source, Cote and other members, including the commission's co-chair Alan Simpson, are focusing instead on "freezing military pay, making military people pay for their health care."
"I don't think there's a division anywhere, and I don't think you can pick up that sentiment, because I certainly haven't," Coburn told TPMDC yesterday. "Nothing's off the table."
On mandatory spending issues, according to the aide, things are shaping up similarly. "We spent all but 10 minutes on benefits cuts and spent 10 minutes on raising the wage caps." Though tax hikes aren't gaining traction, the group is discussing ways to close loopholes, end exemptions, deductions, credits, etc. to limit tax expenditures.
Cote was not immediately available for comment through Honeywell's corporate offices.
The commission's report is due by December 1. House Democrats have committed to voting up or down on the package if the Senate passes it first
Another Senate rule that cause dysfunction and needs revision. Republicans rant about National Security yet place holds on nominees. Ask for the report, McCain, but allow the process to go forward. If National Security is critical as McCain claims, then allowing the hearing and an up/down vote on a nominee is fair. These guys are tiresome.
Figures that McCain would put a hold on intelligence. He also did that the day he picked Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Hey, John Boy, where IS Osama bin Laden, anyway? I thought you knew how to find him. Wouldn't it be treasonous not to tell someone?
Anyone who was so intelligent to pick Sarah as a running mate should probably cannot even pronounce "intelligence" He does need to pack up those medals and retire to Vietnam
And the Agenda continues. Stop President Obama at all cost. promise you will support him if he does this and then stab him in the back, don't like a bill sue the government. What ever it takes to try and take President Obama down and make his presidency a failure. John McCain is a repugnant flip flopping liar.
Go Navy, John McCain is as dum as a box of rocks Like the rest of the Gop as far as i can see. Some People just don't know when it is time to quit, and go home.
President Obama needs no help in making his presidency a failure. His 'forced', tax multiplying, benefits reducing Obamacare; his coddling of our worst enemies and failure to recognize Islamic fundalmentalism behind 99.9% of terror in the last 30 years; his refusing to secure our borders -a prime Federal responsibity, all these and much, much more has made him and his administration failures.
You are so right and it is so discouraging how these people fail to put their country first. Yet I think they would probably pass a lie detector test if asked "do you love your country?". Of course, OJ Simpson would probably also pass a lie detector test since he's convinced himself of his innocence as well.
Jumpin Jerk,
You are a moron.
No, he is not a moron, just a parrot
Or both.
The total disrespect McCain showed at the debate should come back ten fold! And his saying he wasn't going to give 7 out of every 10 dollars to health care knowing he only pays $500 a year for his self really ticked me off big! I demand to see his income tax return and a list of his assets, he better be paying a hell of alot more taxes than the average firefighter! Are you listening McCain, WE THE PEOPLE are demanding to see YOUR DOCUMENTS! Please include the list of EARMARKS you helped to acquire since you began office!! My email address is dollysue52@yahoo.com I'll be waiting......
The senate is non-functioning, completely broken, nothing needs fixing more than the senate. Harry Reid should introduce a bill to fix it so we can see some solution to the countries problems, the sooner the better!
Why bother? The republicans would just block it.
John Bohlman
Read Bosslimo post. The Repubs are going to block everything and anything that comes down the pike. Whether it loans for small business to tax credits. Nothing is going to be done until AFTER the midterms are done. Fortunately,the Dems have found some backbone and will start running the ads w/ show the Repubs as the obstructionists they are and how extreme they have become.
More of the same ole crap from the dopes of nope, what a shame!
It's not the country needs a head of National Inteligence while conducting two wars and seeking out an enemy that can hide effectively in civilian populations. McCain is a tool. Country first, eh John? I geuss only if you're running for President and have to pretend that you care about anything other than partisan politics. Once you lose you can just go back to one of your eight houses and resume being a curmudgeon.
There is no rule preventing the Senate from proceeding without McCain lifting the hold. Bernie Sanders put a hold on Ben Bernanke when he was nominated for the Fed Chairmanship. He never lifted that hold. They voted anyway. But, then again, McCain is a Republican and therefore would go cry on Faux News if he gets his feelers hurt and we can't have that... Pathetic.
I don't think most of the Republican citizens are really very happy with this bunch of idiots that are representing them in Washington. It hurts everyone including them when everything is such a big problem to get passed. I really can't remember when there was such hatred from one political party to the other. Makes no sense when it only hurts all the people.
If Harry Reid actually had a backbone (and I believe he has created many of the problems by not standing strong, demanding the repubs filibuster, etc. and keeping them from their little vacations) he would not dismiss the Senate for the August vaca until all the work that is sitting there, piled up, is done. And I think Harry would actually do a lot for his image and probably win a lot more votes in Nevada. It should tell him something, basically about his leadership, that a twit like Angle can even be remotely close to him in the polls.
So you would rather Have Ms. Sharon Angle?
dean314
Can you imagine Sharon Angle in the Senate? Every time she's asked a question, she runs away. Starts spouting off about Second Amendment remedies and how the government is being a bully to Big Business. I would actually love to see that happen.
Speaking of the inefficient Senate, I don't think it will happen but lets say both the House and Senate flips, what would the GOP do? GOPers feel free to respond.
Picking up what US Navy had said on other posts, the GOP did not support the 911 responders, they refused to pass the disclosure act and didn't want to pass reflief for small business. In a new GOP controlled Congress would they? Would the GOPers address the BIG ISSUES of comprehensive immigration reform, pass energy legislation or deal with the deficit? Understanding that nearly half of the yearly cost is defense related.
If they had the majority would the GOP still push the same tax cut mantra and chorus of 'No" for everything else. Would you all push to repeal health care like so many Repub state attorneys want to? Would you push for hearings and impeachment trials like rep. Bachman calls for? Will you try to revise the 14th amendment in regards to citizen birth rights like Lindsey Graham wants to?
How will you fix the economy? After the 2010 election will you finally work with democrats to get things done, or will you wait another two years until after you hope Obama loses to put you partisanship aside?
I would bet that if the Congress does flip the Dems wouldn't use the filibuster out of mere spite. I would bet that if legislation was drafted that even helped the common man just a little bit they would support it. It happened during the Bush years. When will this GOP start helping the economy and its people? You are for putting country first right?
you would lose that bet, but at least you are aware that prosperity and freedom will be returned when the gop regains control and deballs this socialist nut and impostor.
Huskyforliberty,
You are in the wrong country. If the GOP takes over we will go back to the same crap that almost drove this nation into bankruptcy. The only liberty to be had will be for you and your party to take more on my hard earned money so you can buy another house, another boat etc. It is a fact that the Bush tax cuts and his administration has increase the economic divide to record proportions. This is not liberty. It is called Oligarchy were power and wealth are concentrated in the few, like the richest 2% of the population. There will be no freedom to speak of and the prosperity will continue to go to 2% of the population. You my friend are a fraud.
Yellowdog, all we have to do is look back a few years when the GOP controlled everything, Look at what they did to this country. And now they try to blam it all on the DEM's. I can not believe that the People of this country have such short memory's.
HA!! You are a piece of work my friend!
Huskyfor liberty
That is the most bs I have read here today......thank you for sharing your slanted idiotic point of poo!
Hey MAC in OK,
With all do respect do you read the facts and realize how we got in the mess we are in?
We are all AMERICANS and have to be realistic, RESPECTFUL to each other as well
find the common ground to make compromises with and for each other.
Love thy neighbor as thyself. I agree with Husky because for the most part he is
absolutely right. Maybe you need some mentoring and counseling. I am quite sure
some of your fellow americans would help you but you know you have to first realize you
have a problem. Let Husky and I know when your ready so we can offer some help.
You have to realize the republicans got all of us in this mess we are in. They use people
by rumours, inuendo and right out telling lies. It is not that democrats are always right
they have their fare share of idiots too but the point is that republicans are much more
for big business, big money and the rich. Everyone should get off the partisan horse and
get a fresh start by becoming independent. That means gather the facts and make informed
decisions. It's not about which party it's about the individual whom gets elected that is
in touch with the people and what needs to be done to benefit ALL of the people.
Did anyone watch MTP Sunday? Gregory asked Greenspan if we should let the Bush tax cuts expire. His reply was YES! Pretty interesting.
Husky - I was asking what would the GOP do. I tend to agree with Chuck 2111043 I don't think they would do anything beneficial for the majority of Americans.
I was giving you GOPers a chance to say what you are actually for. Without the canned responses of we are for taking our country back and for stopping socialism you guys didn't offer anything.
Mr. Wayne you want respectful dialogue as do I but you claim to agree with Husky who called the POTUS a 'nutjob socialist' and wants to do a procedure on him that we do to dogs.
I'm still waiting for the GOP ideas that will fix the economy, help unemployment and address the myriad of important issues out there. I won't hold my breath.
Yellowdog,
I agree. They type one comment and then contradict in the next. They want civil dialogue but resort to name calling. They claim not to be something but turn around and support someone who is. Looking at the spacing I wonder where he copied the text from. He sure did not type it. Same old misinformed dribble from the people that caused the mess. No ownership, no ideas, nothing but a lot of air.
yellowdog Mark
The Repubs had the House, Senate & the White House from 01-06, what Husky fails to realize or they simply believe that 8 years, no one was in the White House or the Congress causing the damage. Rather than have a conversation on the issues, they go Teabagger on everyone. You can't have a conversation w/ someone who won't listen to the facts but screams talking points from Fox News. Your trying to extend to olive branch and all he wants to do is set it on fire.
Phillip,
Sadly you exactly correct. They refuse to acknowledge facts, they refuse to be civil (with a couple of exceptions like Candice), they refuse to believe that the people that they voted for and supported sold them down the river with a bill of goods, but there is nothing at the end of that trip but poverty and misery. They refuse to work with the rest of us to make this United States a better place, instead they selfishly want things THEIR WAY...NOW, and no other answer will suffice. They do not seem to understand, nor do they want to, that the Tea Baggers represent at most 5% of the population and that the Republican Party, which most of them actually belong to, is a minority party and getting smaller due to their own actions and virtiol: most real, mainstream Repubs have left the party of NO and are refusing to go back. Do they want to vote for Dems, not really, but they see this Nation being torn apart by the people that SAY they have our best interests at heart, but their actions betray them when they constantly vote NO to things that could be getting us out of the mess that they created. The Repubs are losing voters faster than the Macondo Well in the Gulf was losing oil, yet there is no stopping this gusher as the Party of NO keeps denying them what they need: Effective Governing. The ONLY ones supplying this right now are the Dems and President Obama. Right now REAL, THINKING Americans are NOT going to vote for the Repubs this time around because they have SEEN and HEARD what the Repubs are all about: Serving their fascist Corporate Overlords who pay for their campaigns and who will give them highly lucrative jobs when they get out of the Legislatures. America has watched the fact that the Repubs have been actively apologizing to the Corporations for the "Big Bad Dems Beating Them Up" even though the Corporations are making higher profits now than ever before. The People see that the top 5% of the wealthy own over 60-70% of ALL the money in the US and are refusing to lend nor hire when even if they were to hire everybody tomorrow they would only profit from that and their bottom lines would soar as people would suddenly have the money to spend to buy their products. Americans can see that the Banks and Corporations are working hand in hand with the Repubs to keep the economy down so they can gain 'political points' with those too ignorant to be paying attention to what is going on. And since the Tea Baggers are being the most vocal, they are on the news the most, which, from the rhetoric they hear, they think that America all believes this crap. What they fail to realize is that MOST Americans actually do NOT believe what they are hearing from the Repubs and Tea Baggers and are plain disgusted at the tactics that they are trying to use to force the vote their way. The cover is off and the mess that the Repubs made and are working to keep a broken mess stinks to high Heaven and the majority of the populace KNOWS this. They KNOW that it was not Pres. Obama that broke things, and they see him working hard to fix things and are also seeing the Repubs stall Congress as much as they can in hopes that the recovery will fail.
America is NOT being fooled this time by those that are Too Rich To Fail, while the rest of us scramble to survive in the broken mess that they left us.
Heh B. Honest,
THAT's what I'm talking about! I would like to know how many of our GOP and or 5% have OFF SHORE BANK ACCOUNTS that DON'T PAY U.S. TAXES? SHOW US THESE DOCUMENTS... PLEASE!!!!
It is well past time to force these idiots out of office and force term limits. Join in the effort to push for two Popular Amendments to the Constitution. Visit www.faircampaignreform.us for more information on this movement.
How about limiting the max age of the congressmen/president as well to 55! Makes 'em stay relevant to the younger generation. I would add a section as well requiring that all candidates having worked in a leadership position in a actual revenue producing company for a minimum of 4years.
Term limits? Age limits? Aren't you the guys who want your freedom and your country back? If so, why would you be so willing to give up the most precious freedom we have? In the good 'ol USSR the people were free to vote, but not free as to who was on the ballot. Term limits or any other limit is telling me who I can NOT vote for. How is that different than the USSR where the people were told WHO they COULD vote for?
I like my Senators and my Congressman and I want to continue to support them. Keep your term limits out of my voting booth!
100% on the mark
What will the GOP call this type of stunt, when the DEMs to it to them? McCain should just go away!
I agree with you Cathy M., Harry Reid should keep them in session , I remember last August, alot of lying took place on HCR , and the MSM ran with these lies making it almost impossible to get it done. Who ever said if you have the facts, pound the facts, if you don't pound the table, knew what they were saying.
I do believe that our government is wasteful and inefficient, I think we should vote the whole lot of them out and start all over. We can start with getting rid of all The Czars that Obama appointed so that they wouldn't have to face congressional hearings and answer questions about their Socialist (communist) backgrounds. I also think that too many of the people who post on this site will not be happy until the government supplies there food(food stamps) Housing(welfare) and spending cash(unemployment) while they sit at home and do nothing. I guess the 65 percent of the people who work should pay the way for the 35 percent of the people who do nothing but continue to be leaches on our society.
The Czars??? Seriously??? ok Concerned... Czars were appointed back when Nixon came into power. Bush 2 appointed more "czars" than that of our current President.
Also, thanks to your President Bush Jr., we have more people who are having to be on welfare due to his malfeasance.
You're a tool.. and your point of view is what is leaching this country...not those unfortunate enough to not be in the top 1%.
I love how you can blame all the economy woes on Bush Jr. It has been the ineptness of both the Democrats and Republicans for 40years that have left us so far in debt. The mortgage issues started under Clinton. The tax cuts that shouldn't have happened under Bush. How many Democrats voted Yes to Bush's TARP stuff? How many Republicans voted for it?
42cents of every dollar spent has to be borrowed. The debt will increase by more than 2Trillion in 2010. repealing tax cuts or even raising taxes on just the top 1% will not reduce this deficit significantly(there are papers that show unless congress reduces spending, the tax increases required to eliminate the debt would severely effect the middle class). Adding more Czars/staff etc. does not help reduce the deficit. Even the new finance reform bill contains hidden costs. We need to take a hard look at where government spends its money. We need an audit of the government. We as a country will need to make some hard sacrifices over the next 10years to get this debt under control, otherwise there will be no hope for this country(the current course shows the projected debt by 2015 will be 19.5Trillion)
Concerned Citizen
Your concerned about Obama's Czars? We're you concerned about Bush's Czars? Or is it simply something that Glenn Beck has been feeding you. From Nixon to current, they have ALL appointed Czars. So if your going to question Obama's, you have to question the others as well. Or does common decency something that you only apply to the Repubs?
Heindl, I don't know if you aren't old enough to remember 2000 when Dubya took over from Clinton, but please be aware that the federal budget was not only balanced, but Clinton handed Dubya a federal government that had a sizable surplus! 90% of that debt you are now so concerned about was built up under George W. Bush, who for most of that time had a majority in one or both houses of Congress.
That is why I find the righteous indignation and cries of Socialism (which most of you can't accurately define and usually use interchangeably with communism) by Tea Partiers and 'regular' Republicans to be the highest level of hypocritical B*llSh*t! Where was your voice when Dubya was bankrupting this country, robbing from the poor to further fete the rich?
Just remember, the last Democratic president handed the last Republican a deficit. I think the amount was 30 Billion, but I'm not sure. The point is that 8 years of Republican control ran up almost all of our deficit. So Boehner and all of those sanctimonious GOP-SOBs should stop their disgusting play-acting and Boehner-heads like you should either read some recent history or do some independent thinking and stop buying their lies!
Heindl, the poverty rate increased when GWB was President http://www.npc.umich.edu/poverty/ even BEFORE the recession that began a year before he left office. What part of that shouldn't he get credit for?
So there is a system in place allowing one side the ability to voice dissent over another. A system of checks and balances so all sides of an argument are always represented, but you democratic supporters want laws changed so your party can do whatever they want unchecked. Yeah, that would be great for our country! You all believe in the philosophy that anyone who disagrees with you is wrong and has no place in our society. They deserve to be silenced and sent on their way, that way they can't hold up your precious agenda. You guys do sound like crazed fascists, follow our every command or be silenced. So you all agree with EVERYTHING the Dems want to do? Everything? It's not possible to be perfectly right or perfectly wrong.
Rimfro - You had no problem with Bush and his crazy policies did you? Even though plenty of Democrats disagreed with Bush, they allowed many of his policies to come to fruition when they could have easily done what the Republicans are doing. So what does that make the Republicans? The party of people that just don't care about what happens to average Americans in this country. They only care about getting back into power to promote the same old tired policies that got us here in the first place.
Rimfro,
Actually, the Repubs are the party of corporate fascism, not the Dems. The Repubs are blocking ALL meaningful legislation that would help MOST Americans, not just the rich and powerful corporations like the Repubs want. We have a minority of 41 Senators that are blocking bills that have 59 Senators voting FOR them, and you call this fair?? We need to get it back to the point that the majority can pass a bill, whether the opposition likes it or not. The Repubs have the ability to argue a bill as much as they want, but instead they block it from debate or consideration, That is NOT Democracy, that is tyranny from the minority and needs to be stopped!
The Repubs only represent those that are 'too rich to fail' ONLY, not the common American of the other 95% of the populace.
B,Honest,
Great post. These guys talk about freedom, liberty and prosperity? For whom??? The wealthiest 2% of the population. The economic divide is already at record levels and the margin between those that have and those that do not (or shortly will not) gets bigger. Why, because of the Bush Tax Cuts, deregulation of Banks, Big Business and anything else they can find that will give more money to the 2%er's'
Freedom, Liberty and Prosperity has taken the biggest hit in history thanks the GW and his gaggle of crooks.
A fascist economy would be an economy based on nationalism. Look at some of the recent legislation and tell me how republicans are pushing for government run industry. I think your problem is that they let industry run unchecked. I don't agree with that, but I also don't agree with the government being able to decide the fates of banks, corporations, healthcare, or the hiring or firing of employees or executives. They should only make sure they pay their taxes, charge fair rates, don't take advantage of people through predatory lending/advertising, and treat their employees fairly for a market-value wage. The problem is with the elected officials turning a blind eye to this happening. Or worse, enacting legislation that enables such practices. The problem isn't with us the American, it is with our elected officials and the oblivious attitude towards our desires, needs, and rights.
McCain needs to go - sour grapes. He only cares about his elected status and perks. We are at war and yet he does not want a Director of Intelligence appointed or does he want HIS man appointed. He lost the race for president but acts like he is still running. The people in Arizona can do better.
In response to Bosslimo-
Of course they would block it. You can't enact laws that would effectively block half of our nations representation. That would end our democracy. You guys don't seem to think that anyone should be able to voice dissent in our government. We are doomed if people are okay with the democratic process being tossed out the window.
Rimfro,
Presently there is a MINORITY of only 41 Senators that are blocking bills that have 59 votes for it, THAT is the problem: a rule stating that a minority of 41 can block a majority vote by shelving the bill, meaning it cannot be forwarded. Voicing dissent is one thing, blocking bills just to watch the Nation fail for political gains is another. By your definition Democracy is already dead in the water. Tell your Repub Senators to wise up or they are going to lose ALL power to affect ANYTHING in the future once the Dems get their super majority and will not have to care one bit about the Repub votes. Go back and do some study and you will see that I am right in this.
There's a difference in working to enact bi-partisian legislation and just obstructing the legislative process. Republicans are obstructing the legislative process to try and gain and advantage in the midterm elections.
B. Honest,
I agree. Where is that freedom and liberty when bills with 58 or 59 Yea votes get defeated by the same group of 41???? Where is the prosperity when these same 41 people deny small business access to loans, tax cuts, etc. All points they (the hypocrites) claim to have supported? Where is it???
Oh, I know - Freedom, Liberty and Prosperity comes as a right if and only if you are in the top two tax brackets. The rest of us are just out of luck.
Rimfro
Instead threatening to Fillibuster, wouldn't it be better for both sides if they had to actually do it? Make them get up there and make their point instead holding legislation that actually might be good fro the populace. The problem is that the Dems don't have the spine to make them actually do it because if the shoes on the other foot, they'll have to do the same thing.
Its better when our representative actually have to represent what their constituents and State need instead of the posturing that has been common place. To many of these people think they are "King makers" when they are actually only in at our behest. When they don't do their public service for their constituents, they need to leave.
Yes they should work together, but neither side ever does. That's why when one party gets the majority they go legislation crazy. We are seeing it now, we've seen it before. I don't deny that republicans have used lame tactics to stall legislation, but you can't say that these circumstances call for a complete change to our system. The system is in place for a reason, even if you don't always agree how it is used. I love seeing the Bush blame game. He was responsible for the expansion of government in ways that go against all conservative value, and Obama has just picked up where he left off. We have seen the government Exert itself more in the last three years than any other time in modern American history. The last thing we need is them shaking up the legislative process, only furthering their ability to ignore the general public.
I don't consider myself to have party representation any longer and the "Tea Party" is just the polar opposites of the "progressive movement". I am not that extreme either way and so is "most" of America. I consider myself a right leaning centrist. That talk of Obama being the closest to a true centrist president was a lie. I don't feel like I've had representation yet in my adult life. I don't see that changing soon. I am wasting my time because this site leans too far left and a disagreement only leads to childish bickering, accusations of tea bagging, being called a racist,or idiot. Not everybody that disagrees with you is an idiot, a right wing nut-job, or a Palin enthusiast.
Nobody should be reprimanded or silenced for dissent, even if you feel they are wrong. I don't feel that the laws of congress are strict enough. It is too easy for a simple majority to impose their will, all while ignoring their constituents. America wanted healthcare reform, not mandatory insurance that will raise the consumers cost for care. Remember now, insurance grants access, but doesn't provide care. It only gives you the ability to be seen. Healthcare expenses will climb faster under this bill than it would have without any action by congress. What was the flipping point? We wanted insurance companies to actually pay for our services without running us through the ringer. We wanted it to be cheaper to see a doctor without insurance. All it did was tell us insurance is the solution, when it is so obviously the problem.
I don't know about you, but I don't appreciate somebody pissing on my face while telling me it's raining. The republicans have no solutions, I'll give you that, but the Democrats haven't done anything that actually addresses the issues that have us in this mess. I thought there would be transparency in congress, but there has been none. The closest thing to transparency is the Republican agenda of doing nothing together. The other side has me guessing until it's time to vote in congress. On Tuesday we speculate on what might be in the new bill, on Thursday it's law. I would like to see what's in it before my elected official votes on it. That is no longer how America works. They aren't even good liars anymore, they just do whatever they please. I would keep a handful of senators and maybe fifty reps. That's probably close to how many actually listen to those that elected them. Why are we okay with the status quo being taken to the most extreme level by the current and former presidents? I'm over it...
This idiot " McCain " was caught and punished in a "POW Camp"for his part in invading a "Sovereign Nation! How is this BUM a HERO? . I mean people get real ...stop giving this idiot a place to speak !!! VOTE HIS SORRY ASS OUT in NOVEMBER !!
didn't I see you running around naked, high on lsd at woodstock in the documentary along with the entire regime?
So Husky, you were at Woodstock as well, along with Dubya, Rummy and Cheney, the AXIS of STUPIDITY? Let's invade Iraq and leave Afghanistan for someone else to clean up!! And you think the GOP will return us to good times with ongoing tax cuts while stoking up the war machine? What the hell you been smokin'?
Ron from Houston 1 Husky Puppy 0.
Great pick up Ron.
I can't believe that anyone would vote for McCain, especially after the Palin debacle and especially now with all hi flip flopping on every subject matter. He never intended to work with Obama, just like the rest of the Republicans. It is my hope that the voting in November is closely scrutinized for monkey business! Their known for stacking voters their way! When your Military records are sealed like his and McConnels records; it makes you wonder, doesn't it? What a sell out he is. He has never done anything for the people of this great nation except bleed it dry for his own self interest. Remember the Keating Scandal? That was just practice for what happened to the banking system in 2007 and 2008. Now the Republicans would like to keep the rich, richer by keeping Bush's tax cuts for the rich! What about us Americans who work for a living. Wake up America before you pull that lever on in November ask yourself if you want to pay through the nose for health care ask yourself if you want your Social Security given to Wall Street and to have your grand parents medicare taken away. That's what they will do. Oh and by the way expect more wars to come but don't think that America is safe because we were hit first under Bush!
What! Again the GOP is blocking the success of America and Americans!!! I am GOP but I will not vote GOP over the next 8 years as we simply only have stupid, jealous SOB! Get over it Mc, Palin and dumb ass Romney you all lost the race for POTUS!
You all LOST! ITS OVER STOP HOLDING AMERICA BACK BECAUSE YOU ALL CAN NOT ACCEPT OBAMA IS POTUS! Hell, I do not agree with all he say and does but at least the man is trying and its our GOP who screwed up the world this time not the Democrats!
Not sure if he is authorized to do it But Pres. Obama Should do Recess Appointment and stop allowing these idiotic Republicans from Bullying and delaying everything that is going on. People are getting tired of this "NO TO EVERYTHING BS" and I hope they show the Repubs the road home in Nov.
My guess is that, by now, the old SOB probably forgot who the nominee is or that he even placed a hold on the nomination...
It's time for "McAge" to go home (if he can remember where that is).
This is an excellent article. Well worth the time it takes to read. I hope the Dems do it! It's long overdue.
http://readersupportednews.org/off-site-news-section/69-69/2572-democrats-step-up-moves-to-limit-senate-filibusters
Concerned: I believe that when you pay someone to do a job and they do not, that is wasteful spending. As for the leaches on our society, I see no greater leaches than those in congress who will not do their jobs, but expect to get the benefits, the pensions, the healthcare, and the power that their job infers. Another wonderful group of leaches are the t-potty organizers and the Glenn Beckers, not the grass roots, but the Dick Armeys, and Kochs, who with their millions want to keep the status quo in order to fatten their own pocketbooks. And the third and perhaps the second worst group of leaches (behind congress) would be the corporations that will convince you that just surviving is what you need, keep you fearful, keep you from thinking because of your fear, and therefore nothing can nor should ever change, because that, too, would create a whole new atmosphere of government working for the people and not for their corporate and governmental masters. They will message that they are sooooo uncertain now about creating jobs, etc. and loaning money, just soooooo uncertain - which is the new Repub talking point (by the way if you want to see just how in bed with the corporations the Repubs are, just listen to both their talking points, they are the same). Well, where were the jobs over the last several years, long before Obama came into office? Where was the lending? Nope, the huge bubble was going on with the financial institutions and they wanted to rake it in hand over fist. Of course, it is always good to blame it on low income or poor people who actually would like to have a house to live in, just like everyone else. I guess that's no longer the American dream? Just ask John McCain with his 8 homes. Maybe he can spread those around. So you have a society of the very wealthy, just like old communist Russia, and the "workers", just like old communist Russia, and the totalitarian government, just like old communist Russia, that is on the side of the very wealthy, who also make up the totalitarian government. The rest of us are the "workers". We must be made to believe that it is good and right to tow the party (totalitarian) line. Or else we may get shot or sent to some gulag - perhaps have to live in the streets. So we kowtow to the mighty and powerful, we do nothing to help ourselves or other human beings, we do nothing to make certain our government works and works well for all - because we are so fearful we may lose the little we have.
AMEN, Cathy, you are correct.
The news media can talk up the Grand Old Party all they want but in my opinion they should all be kicked out of office. The majority of them are disgusting ole men that should have retired years ago. McCain is so past being relevant.
I am in awe that so many people will vote against their own best interests. Nevermind that under Bush 5.3 million more Americans joined the rolls of poverty. The tax cuts that are in question are for the richest Americans... The middle class is disappearing. But it's all ok, Sarah Palin is laughing all the way to the bank while the uninformed think she actually cares what happens to them.
Cathy,
2 Amens. Great post, you need to write more.
sure, just let these psycho radicals ram anything or anyone through with no checks. sounds like a dictatorship to me.
Only a republican would consider a majority vote as ramming something thru.
Accurate, succinct, and to the point Archgar. When we had a Republican President a minority of the popular vote, majority of the electoral vote constituted a clear mandate. When the Senate was split 50/50 and the Vice President had to repeatedly cast the tie breaker there was "political capital" and the Republicans were determined to spend it. No majority means nothing if it doesn't suit the Republican agenda.
Husky,
Where I come from 59 to 41 is a majority. When you have 41 votes overridding 59 that is jaming something down somebody's throat. Must be the tea bagger in you. You guys get so easily confused.
Husky for Liberty
ThRepubs did that from 01-06, did you complain then? Or is it only when your Party of no new Ideas complain, grumble and obstruct that you complain. Did you complain when GWB and Darth Cheney took into Iraq for no damn good reason? Did you complain when they rammed Medicare Pt D down everyone throats? I don't think you did. Obama is cleaning up a 30 year old mess that started w/ that traitor Reagan.