Why Congress has become so dysfunctional, discredited
“Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
— Mark Twain
Voters have rarely held Congress in high regard. In fact, over the 38 years in which Gallup has asked the question, only 34 percent of Americans typically say they approve of its performance. These days, however, public disgust has never been deeper. In its most recent poll, Gallup found that just 10 percent of Americans approve of how Congress is operating.
Personally, I don’t know what that 10 percent is thinking, because Congress is by any measure a broken institution. While never a paragon of efficiency, in recent years it has lost the ability to function at almost any level. It produces nothing, it solves nothing, it does nothing. It serves solely as a stage upon which political actors strut and prance.
The question of why has many answers, most of them traceable back to the very beginning, to the days in which the Founding Fathers were designing the structure of government that we still retain today.
Given their ties to Great Britain, it would have been natural for the founders to model the American system after the British parliamentary system they knew so well. They didn’t. Instead, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and their colleagues consciously rejected the parliamentary model, and they did so for very American reasons.
First, they had seen enough to recognize that a parliamentary system was a “winner-take-all” system. The party that controls the majority of votes in a parliamentary system also wins the right to name the prime minister, giving it control of both the legislative and executive branches. Our founders distrusted the untrammeled power that produced, so they built a system that conspired against it.
The founders also understood that under a parliamentary system, voters cast their ballots less for individual lawmakers than for the party they represent. Moreover, once in office, members of Parliament owe more loyalty to their party leaders and platform than to the folks back home who elected them. Those were all evils that Madison, Hamilton and others wanted to minimize, even if they could not avoid them altogether.
As a result, the American system of government diffused authority and undercut party loyalty. Individual politicians could be more independent, able to vote their own conscience and the interests of their own district. And with neither party able to dictate to the other, and with the legislative and executive branches acting as competitors, compromise across party lines would be required to get anything done.
For most of our history, that system functioned more than adequately. So what has changed?
I would argue that over the past two decades, our political parties have gravitated toward a mindset in which elections have been nationalized, party discipline takes precedence over personal conscience and compromise is considered losing. It is in essence a parliamentary mindset, which is precisely what the founding fathers had hoped to discourage. And when you take that parliamentary, winner-take-all mindset and graft it onto a political system designed specifically to frustrate that mindset, you get what we’ve got: No movement.
Put another way, if you take a system that is designed to run on compromise, and you deny it access to compromise, it cannot operate.
Historically speaking, the party most responsible for that transformation is the Republican Party, and the single individual most responsible is Newt Gingrich. That observation is not intended as criticism, because from their point of view it made perfect sense. By the early ’90s, they had served as the minority party for most of the preceding 60 years, and they had grown frustrated. They could and did compromise, thus allowing the system to function, but as they compromised they saw the arc of history bending against them. They saw compromise as a way to lose slowly, and they no longer wanted to play that way.
The result, however, is a system in which two things are true: 1) With no compromise, change can now occur only when one party holds absolute dominance and 2) The pursuit of absolute dominance is hopeless, particularly in a country as evenly divided as this one.
The result, sadly, is a system of governance rapidly losing credibility with its people.
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
818 comments Add your comment
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...
August 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
BRO,
Its a fact..at least by a multitude of researchers that 94% of elections are won by he with most cash..I think its irrelevant whether that is $x dollars for a vote or whatever…means that at its core, these elections are really auctions..
Unfortunately, as you told me once before, very few folks (likely another 1%) actually care to understand the issues and are won over by attrition…yes, talking heads of all flavors provide factually inaccurate or not contextual bullets that most base their decisions on…most minds I feel are already made up….they are all made victims since the media became news..
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
3:24 pm
But the shenanigans around passing ObamaCare took that one step too far. When Democrats did that, they (in essence) declared war.
I may not raise bulls for a living or even work as a vet but I can, however, spot bullsh*t when I see it, and sir, that’s a steaming load of bullsh*t there.
Sounds like sour grapes because a supposedly “leftist” president circled the GOP and hit them with a knockout punch from the Right. Not only did Obama engineer the passing of a Heritage Think Tank plan, but he also sold the entire country out to the private sector insurance company.
Bill Adair
August 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
“Historically speaking, the party most responsible for that transformation is the Republican Party, and the single individual most responsible is Newt Gingrich.”
I give this statement a “Pants on Fire” rating on the Truth-O-Meter.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
Jay @ 2:40 and @ 2:41. You are killing me lol.
moonbat betty
August 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
Solution to this problem: Elect more democrats.
Problem solved.
Now I’m really voting for Obama.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
You and Ms. Fluke can use all the birth control you want but don’t expect the taxpayer dime to cover your chosen lifestyle.
Well it seems someone is woefully uninformed… BC is paid for by insurance companies not taxpayers. And of course, many women use BC for many reasons other than “chosen lifestyle”.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...
August 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
JAY,
That posting by J is quite disturbing..
I went back and view DEBBIE DO’s comments…From one having been through rehab, I can tell you that was some substance influenced rant…that’s my analysis anyway..I could be wrong
Citizen of the World
August 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
Yes, the present-day uncompromising ineptitude of Congress can be laid at the feet of the Republican party and Newt Gingrich. And let us not forget Newt’s partner in crime, Right-Wing Talk and TV. Newt was heard to boast in 1994 that talk radio gave them that congressional majority. Yes, thanks to Rush and Sean, the Republicans learned that the more they appealed to straight white male victimhood, God and guns, the more entrenched their popularity would become among the those who don’t know any better, which was very useful to those who did.
Aquagirl
August 28th, 2012
3:27 pm
Tick…tick…tick….
The same post from ? was up at Kyle’s for ages. It’s still there for all I know.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
3:28 pm
MiltonMan
August 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
You and Ms. Fluke can use all the birth control you want but don’t expect the taxpayer dime to cover your chosen lifestyle.
+++++++++++++++++++++
And here we have it in a nutshell. “your chosen life style.” Any woman who has sex and isn’t married is a ho, a prostitute. Women are second class citizen’s, chattel good only to cater to the sexual whims of their MALE husbands.
There ya go ladies, Milton man has so decreed and actually stated the position of the Republican party concerning women.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
August 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
?
August 28th, 2012
3:18 pm
BECAUSE WE HAVE A MONKEY AS PRESIDENT.
This post should be removed.
Kamchak - "Socialism" is just a code word for "fear," the monster under you bed ~ Kamchak
August 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
From one having been through rehab…
A man with only a hammer, sees every solution as a nail.
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
Stevie Ray
I think you’re missing my point. I know about the connection to money, and I agree that’s a point to be made. However, that kind of thinking lets the voter off the hook for being an ignorant jackass when pushing those buttons. I refuse to let that happen any more.
I think that we’re beyond the point where even public funded campaigns will change the trend in re-election rates. Many voters are just simply completely disconnected from the entire election and governmental operation process. Maybe it’s because of disgust with the system, or maybe it’s because of information overload. Regardless of the cause, nothing’s going to change things until the voters get actively engaged with the entire process. That has nothing at all to do with money.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...
August 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
CITIZEN,
Is laying blame part of a solution or part of the problem..doesn’t really matter whos to blame for the situation we are in….it matters what we choose to do about it…unfortunately, the blame game appears more profitable than the solution game…
BlahBlahBlah
August 28th, 2012
3:30 pm
“The result, sadly, is a system of governance rapidly losing credibility with its people.”
I don’t find it sad. Maybe people will wake up and see that they control their own fate more than any numbskull in Washington D.C. and maybe they’ll also start to focus more on local government, where their lives are much more drastically impacted.
Bernie
August 28th, 2012
3:30 pm
Mitt MINER RALLY ALERT!
Those Miners who attended Mitt’s STAGED RALLY were mandatory required to ATTEND and without PAY. Those Men lost a day’s wages to be a stage Prop for Mitt.
At least he could have paid them for the JOB they performed. This is THE TRUE character of Mitt ” The Proud ONE”
MITT is DISGUSTING……
nelson
August 28th, 2012
3:31 pm
It took almost 75% of the column before you put the blame on the republicans, atleast that is an improvement. I saw the movie 2016, I will admit I was little unsure what it was about, however now, it alludes to taking away all the wealth through bankrupting the country, and I have to admit, it certainly looks that way. That is why the republicans have been so reluctant to give the democrats their wishes to put the U.S. in such peril.
It is presumptious that the hard working populace would want that.
East Lake Ira
August 28th, 2012
3:31 pm
As if right on cue, a GOP Rep. from Idaho wants to make emergency funds available to Isaac victims and states contigent on more budget cuts.
Keep it up GOP. You’re making this too easy.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/08/28/759151/raul-labrador-disaster-funding/
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
3:32 pm
Aquagirl
August 28th, 2012
3:27 pm
Tick…tick…tick….
The same post from ? was up at Kyle’s for ages. It’s still there for all I know.
++++++++++++++++++++++
This isn’t a racist Republican blog. It didn’t stay.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 28th, 2012
3:34 pm
The same post from ? was up at Kyle’s for ages.
I’ve had to reassess my judgement of Kyle.
I thought he was a stand up kinda guy, but clearly, despite his black and white rules that he reminds posters of several times a week, there is an obvious double standard there when it come to enforcing said rules.
King of Everything
August 28th, 2012
3:34 pm
Plutocrats ensure that while we argue about gay rights and abortions, GE and Exxon-Mobil pays 0% in taxes and Mitt and Warren has enough loopholes in the tax code to allow them to do the same.
CJ
August 28th, 2012
3:34 pm
To be clear, modern day Republicans have done worse than refuse to compromise; they have refused to push their own agendas forward when President Obama agrees to do so. They seek to deny him any success or whiff of success, and therefore, they abandon, even criticize, their own ideas as he embraces them.
Romneycare, deficit reduction committee, grand bargain, cap-and-trade, extending the Bush tax cuts for everybody earning below $250,000, infrastructure investments, state flexibility on welfare requirements, and on and on. When Republicans turned against health-care mandates, for example, they weren’t taking a policy position; they were taking a political position.
Mr. Swift
August 28th, 2012
3:35 pm
“Historically speaking, the party most responsible for that transformation is the Republican Party, and the single individual most responsible is Newt Gingrich.”
Such Discoursers (as Jay) do reason upon short Views, and a very moderate Compass of Thought.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...
August 28th, 2012
3:35 pm
KAMCHAK,
I have no idea re to one of the oldest adages in the history of adages…can you help me understand??
BRO,
We are clearly preaching from the same hymnal…I do think it has alot to do with money..and interest as well….Most still vote from wallet or what they otherwise with benefit based upon that fact that any candidate will say or do anything to get elected as we are witnessing thru this abortion of a contest.
Money gets the most distilled message, regardless of validity, to the folks who simply believe everything they hear or are otherwise predisposed…some truly believe that one side lies more than the other..
joe
August 28th, 2012
3:36 pm
Since IT’S ALL BUSH’S FAULT, is not intelligent enough to spell MORON correctly, does that make him/her one? Hmmm. Guess so…
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...
August 28th, 2012
3:37 pm
CJ,
If the GOP wins either house and presidency, I bet you a dollar that the DEMS will become the obstructionists….thats how things go in the sandbox…
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
3:37 pm
Pretty good insightful piece Jay, however, I believe that the root cause in the breakdown of our once functioning two party system thus Congress is that one party has moved so far to the left that fair compromise is no longer possible.
Aquagirl
August 28th, 2012
3:38 pm
This isn’t a racist Republican blog. It didn’t stay.
And people here like GG speak up. Over there, it only brought on “you libs blah blah.” Those people vote. You think they encourage their congressman to compromise? Hardly.
Joe Hussein Mama
August 28th, 2012
3:38 pm
MiltonMan — “You and Ms. Fluke can use all the birth control you want but don’t expect the taxpayer dime to cover your chosen lifestyle.”
I love it when conservatives expose themselves as not having the slightest clue what they’re talking about.
MM, there are quite a few reasons why a woman would want to — or NEED to — take BC pills that don’t involve contraception. Maybe you need to do a little research.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 28th, 2012
3:39 pm
I have no idea re to one of the oldest adages in the history of adages…can you help me understand??
You continually post this sentiment — that you don’t understand — to almost everyone you converse with.
Maybe you should try exercising your empathy muscles before they atrophy.
philosopher
August 28th, 2012
3:39 pm
Unhappy Vet
August 28th, 2012
2:57 pm
The problem is the left’s insistence on moving towards larger government and more control over our lives.
You know…just SAYING SOMETHING does not make it true. You can say it as many times as you like, but only people who do not care to investigate what you said will buy it. The only people trying to butt into my life are REPUBLICANS! YOU guys are the ones pushing larger government- If my daughter is raped, you want laws that say she wasn’t raped and force her to keep a child produced by that rape…that is in that rare instance in which her body doesn’t “shut that whole thing down”. You want to deny her reproductive health benefits if she happens to teach in a Catholic school. We FINALLY got health insurance for the poor and the sick, and you want to “get rid of it on day 1″. You want to run every non-white, non-English-speaking immigrant out of the country at the tune of millions and millions of dollars. You want to close the voting to only Republicans….and on and on. You want to get rid of any regulations that stand in the way of your lifestyle or a quick buck. You don’t give a flip about the health of the planet that we leave for our kids and theirs. You want to smoke in my face, lie to my kids about evolution and the age of the earth, or teach them your brand of religion when I send them off to school. You want smaller government, except when it comes to my private life…Republicans want stupid, uneducated, malleable flocks that they can control. That’s their much, much bigger goal than the smoke screen of “decreasing the deficit”. Some of us just did not fall off turnip trucks!
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
3:39 pm
Stevie
I think the only difference in what we’re saying is that I’m finally to the point where I’m ready to add some voters to my list of jackasses right along with the jackasses they elect. You don’t seem to be quite as hard on the individual voter as I am.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
3:41 pm
“Historically speaking, the party most responsible for that transformation is the Republican Party, and the single individual most responsible is Newt Gingrich.”
LOL. At least the writer did not explicitly claim it was former president Bush’s fault. I wonder if the writer would also say that the party most responsible for the greatest “dysfunction” our country has ever known was also the Republican party for their position on the abolition of slavery in the mid 19th century.
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
3:41 pm
MM, there are quite a few reasons why a woman would want to — or NEED to — take BC pills that don’t involve contraception. Maybe you need to do a little research.
That would require him to actually research and read something instead of having his thoughts, ideas, and opinions dictated to him by the talking voices. We both know that’s a non-starter.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...
August 28th, 2012
3:42 pm
KAMCHAK,
I still have no idea what you are saying relative to my post re DEBBIE..tell me in direct prose what you are trying to say?
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...
August 28th, 2012
3:44 pm
BRO,
You big bully:-)….I focus on keeping my expectations low..I’m seldom disappointed…
Joe Hussein Mama
August 28th, 2012
3:44 pm
Bernie — “Those Miners who attended Mitt’s STAGED RALLY were mandatory required to ATTEND and without PAY. Those Men lost a day’s wages to be a stage Prop for Mitt.”
“At least he could have paid them for the JOB they performed. This is THE TRUE character of Mitt ” The Proud ONE”
I’d like more detail on this before I come down on Mr. Romney. I suspect that the mine’s management were responsible for directing these men to show up for the dog-and-pony show or not get paid, and I’m guessing that Mr. Romney didn’t necessarily have anything to do with that.
The way I’ve heard it explained, the mine closed for the day so the Romney campaign event could take place. And that the miners were told that they had to show up — or get docked a day’s pay. That’s not so unreasonable, but maybe the mine operators could have just given the miners a day off instead. The way it looks, the miners were given a choice between being window dressing or going unpaid for a day, and that kinda sucks. Still, I’m not convinced that’s exactly Romney’s fault.
josef
August 28th, 2012
3:44 pm
K’CHAK
“I say build dormitories for ‘em and make ‘em live together.”
You might want to rethink that. It used to be the way it was done. The Congressional Boarding House was a plumb. It was most often in the hands of women who used the position to be the power behind the throne, exercising a power few realize. The role played by Rose Oneal Greenhow in not just the intelligence gathering but the military and political policy of the Confederate States is one helluva read,,,it’s no understatement to say that because of what she knew from there was fundamental in the bringing about of the Wah-uh…
On the other hand, at the state level, such could and did produce some rather interesting legislation. How women were first freed from the shackles of the laws of couverature under British Law back in Mississippi in the 1830s came about through the efforts of the woman who ran the state’s legislative boarding house.
The institution was tailor made for back room shennigans, and the women who ran them knew the dirt on all of them and often enough weren’t averse to using that knowledge to further their own aims.
Scooter
August 28th, 2012
3:46 pm
For sixty plus years the republicrats compromised on government provided entitlements, as the majority of of their party always supported equal opportunity. Now the entitlements have empowered the political class while bankrupting America. Democrats show no serious interest in relinquishing the power derived from government provisions of financial security… or giving America a future of financial solvency. They simply want to increase taxes on the minority and be trusted to cut spending later, knowing their base’s undying trust in altruistic government will support them.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
August 28th, 2012
3:46 pm
they do not intend to compromise.
whatever they brought to the table, we should do the same
we should want it that way – the future belongs to us.
no compromise, no quarter, let’s get it on
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
3:46 pm
Stevie Ray
I’m tired of playing Mr. Nice Guy…
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 28th, 2012
3:47 pm
Stevie Ray
I have known many friends of Bill, and every time they saw me drink a beer I got accused of being an alcoholic.
Your post, re DDR is the same thing.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
3:47 pm
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
3:37 pm
Pretty good insightful piece Jay, however, I believe that the root cause in the breakdown of our once functioning two party system thus Congress is that one party has moved so far to the left that fair compromise is no longer possible.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
That post is so freaking hilarious. The sad thing is that he ACTUALLY believes the crap he just typed. It’s ALL the left’s fault lol.
He is too asleep mentally to realize that HE and others like him are the problem. ‘Compromise” means do it all my way or we don’t do it.
I mean he has said some really off the wall things over the years but this one takes the cake.
Georgia, The " New Mississippi "
August 28th, 2012
3:48 pm
A bigger concern is when everyone gives up on the process and starts behaving like republicans. Everyone WILL need a gun.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 28th, 2012
3:49 pm
You might want to rethink that.
No.
It used to be the way it was done.
Yes, I know.
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
3:50 pm
Hi Fred…is that crash diet having an emotional effect?
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
3:50 pm
“The way I’ve heard it explained, the mine closed for the day so the Romney campaign event could take place. And that the miners were told that they had to show up — or get docked a day’s pay. That’s not so unreasonable, but maybe the mine operators could have just given the miners a day off instead. The way it looks, the miners were given a choice between being window dressing or going unpaid for a day, and that kinda sucks. Still, I’m not convinced that’s exactly Romney’s fault.”
And where have you had it explained. The mine spokesman was very clear. He stated it was mandotory to show up and thta no one would get paid.
Note: This link is the first one thta came up on a Google. I don’t know which side it propagandizes for:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/2012-election/audio-coal-miners-say-they-were-forced-attend-mitt-romney-rally-without-pay
ragnar danneskjold
August 28th, 2012
3:51 pm
Disagree with the thesis. Until 1932, the consensus was that government should be small. From 1932 until 1980, the consensus was that government should grow ever larger. In 1980 the conservatives returned to the ante-Roosevelt status quo, and the leftists continued to cling to the expansive-government model. Unless the leftists decide that the government is choking the private economy, or unless the conservatives decide government is better able to think for individuals than are the individuals themselves, the gridlock will persist.
Leftists, of course, think essays on “who deserves blame” are the equivalent of thoughtful analysis. And leftists cannot tolerate disagreement – all must march lock-step to their tune.
Peadawg
August 28th, 2012
3:53 pm
Very nice column, Jay.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
3:54 pm
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
3:50 pm
Hi Fred…is that crash diet having an emotional effect?
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Nope. I’m fine and happy. Lost 13 lbs. After eating yesterday I weighed myself this morning and STILL had that 13 pounds gone. Good stuff. So I’m continuing to monitor the calories and fat and exercise more. I figure why waste a great 13 pound jump start.
Thanks for asking, your concern and support are appreciated. ;D
josef
August 28th, 2012
3:55 pm
From its inception and first days in power, the Republican Party has had a dictatorial nature allied to economic interests, willing to do whatever to maintain its grip and impose its will, up to and including bloody civil war and playing loosely with the Constitution if and when it got in their way. Those there today are no different in substance and policy from those who went in in 1861, gave us the outrages of the Robber Barons, established imperialism as the modus of American foreign policy, brought about first Teapot Dome and then the Crash and Depression, followed by a rare mild outplay of the same under Ike and then Nixon, next Reagan and Bush I, then Bush II. The leopard has not changed its spots and a Romney administration looks like a throwback on the genes…The Republicans, imauo, don’t have a very good record…
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 28th, 2012
3:55 pm
Fred, its obvious that Recon failed to read Jay’s prior post. Recon’s nonsense has already been addressed….. that far shift “left” by adopting conservative proposals like the individual mandate.
josef
August 28th, 2012
3:57 pm
FRED
“Lost 13 pounds.”
Don’t look now, but its following you.
Paul
August 28th, 2012
4:00 pm
Bill Adair
“Historically speaking, the party most responsible for that transformation is the Republican Party, and the single individual most responsible is Newt Gingrich.”
I give this statem
”
“I give this statement a “Pants on Fire” rating on the Truth-O-Meter.”
Because (insert supporting facts here)
There’s a pattern here – a great association – when regulars change their monikers it’s as if they already know they’re going to post nonsense so they change their name so they can avoid some of the ridicule and embarrassment.
_______________________________________________________________________
“You and Ms. Fluke can use all the birth control you want but don’t expect the taxpayer dime to cover your chosen lifestyle.”
Oh great, now MiltonMan thinks physical relations in marriage is a ‘chosen lifestyle.”
Joe Hussein Mama
August 28th, 2012
4:01 pm
Fred — “And where have you had it explained. The mine spokesman was very clear. He stated it was mandotory to show up and thta no one would get paid.”
And as I’ve said, “I’d like more detail on this.” I’ve made it pretty clear that I’m looking for more information.
Perhaps you didn’t mean it to come across that way, but your response seemed quite peevish and snippy.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 28th, 2012
4:02 pm
Fred, congrats on the weight loss. It’s never easy and a constant struggle for all but a few.
CJ
August 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
“If the GOP wins either house and presidency, I bet you a dollar that the DEMS will become the obstructionists…”
Stevie Ray,
You’re misinformed (again). “Since the Democrats gained control of the Senate in 2007, the number of motions to end [filibusters], known as cloture, has more than doubled to 276 in 2007-10 from 130 in 2003-06, when Republicans were in the majority, according to the Senate Historical Office. In the current Congress, 84 motions have been filed to date.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-14/common-cause-seeks-end-to-republicans-use-of-filibuster.html
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
August 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
MiltonMan
I sense “lifestyle envy”…..
How sad for you.
..forced to wear a seat belt, don’t and pay the 5o bucks.
Weed? grow your own.
ANd quit whining, it’s probably why you have lifestyle issues….
Women don’t play slap and tickle with whiny men.
Mr. Silly Pants
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
The only hope is that the Republicans will run the table in November. That of course is unlikely, so next best would be retaining the House which is probable and winning the White House or the Senate. Longer term with the caveat that we don’t really have much of a longer term is for the Democrats to purge the radical left from its party or for a 3rd party to emerge that displaces the current corrupted Democrat party.
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
4:04 pm
In 1980 the conservatives returned to the ante-Roosevelt status quo, and the leftists continued to cling to the expansive-government model.
Yeah ragnar
That’s why Reagan tripled the national debt and exploded government employment. There has to be some serious self-hating going on by some of y’all self-described righties.
Bernie
August 28th, 2012
4:04 pm
Joe Hussein Mama @ 3:44 pm – tell that to the Miners’ Wife and KIDS when they are told ” I am sorry darling and Kids its SPAM again! MY Check was short a days wages so that I may show my MANDATORY support of “THE MAGIC UNDERWEAR GUY” who wants to be President! I hope you all will understand!
Joe, even you cannot with a straight face defend such a DASTARDLY Act!
Lets be honest and GET REAL!
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
4:04 pm
josef: Let’s see how does that go again……. duk sha………… better not lol.
Looking good for Saturday, only a 30% chance of rain. You going to be wearing The boa or a war bonnet? If you are there, look for the fat white boy with the Asian woman and the cutest 10 year old girl there. I’ll probably be wearing a bright orange shirt. For some reason my wife and daughter think that folks can’t see my fat ass clearly enough so they always get me bright orange shirts. I keep waiting for them to get me a back up beeper to put on my belt…………
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
4:06 pm
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
The only hope is that the Republicans will run the table in November. That of course is unlikely, so next best would be retaining the House which is probable and winning the White House or the Senate. Longer term with the caveat that we don’t really have much of a longer term is for the Democrats to purge the radical left from its party or for a 3rd party to emerge that displaces the current corrupted Democrat party.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And yet you see no signs of an out of touch far right wing take over of the Republican party. Really?
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
4:06 pm
May I offer some “accuracy” and “balance” (one of the AJC’s new selling points) to this somewhat partisan column? It always helps to keep an historical perspective – for instance, remembering that at the time of the ratification of the Constitution, it was not unheard of to be “tarred and feathered” by those who disagreed with your publicly stated views. The fact is that this country has been very divided on more than one occasion in the past:
http://www.npr.org/2011/12/27/144319863/congress-really-is-as-bad-as-you-think-scholars-say
We are at such a juncture now. It is not desirable, perhaps, but it is part and parcel of American democracy. It is NOT mainly the fault of Gingrich (as if the Civil War were the fault of Lincoln). To argue such a thing, in my opinion, is to disingenuously seek to blame people with whom you disagree.
The more I argue political issues here and elsewhere, the more I believe that I see that politicians and parties are the trappings of our debates. They are really about conflicts in deeply held values. So we defend or demean this or that politician or party, defending the indefensible or demonizing someone for the littlest foibles, when really we are indirectly defending or attacking values we oppose. Perhaps if we are more about values we might find some room for compromise and actually get somewhere.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
And as I’ve said, “I’d like more detail on this.” I’ve made it pretty clear that I’m looking for more information.
And I provided it. You are welcome.
They BOTH suck
August 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
Bro
Exactly. Government growth and spending has not slowed down under either Party in the last 30 yrs, except for the Clinton and Newt uneasy compromises.
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
The Republicans, imauo, don’t have a very good record…
Now there you go with your uppity liberal ass… Trashing Republicans. Mighty typical liberal behavior for you.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 28th, 2012
4:08 pm
Women don’t play slap and tickle with whiny men.
David “Diaper Boy” Vitter certainly had no problem.
Of course in his case, there was cash involved….
Don't Tread
August 28th, 2012
4:08 pm
“out of touch far right wing take over of the Republican party”
Damn those Tea Partiers and their demands to rein in the spending! Quick, lock them up!!
They BOTH suck
August 28th, 2012
4:09 pm
Fred @ 4:06
That is too damn funny.
Early in the game for you, but keep up the good work.
Combination of healthier eating and exercise will get you were you are wanting to go.
kimmer
August 28th, 2012
4:09 pm
Jay points out a problem with government and its the GOP’s fault. Rinse, repeat about 3 times daily.
To the point at hand, it takes BOTH sides to forge a compromise. One side caving to the other is not a compromise.
Joe Hussein Mama
August 28th, 2012
4:10 pm
Fred — “And I provided it. You are welcome.”
Just as I said, peevish and snippy. If you can’t be polite about it, then I’d prefer that you not do me any favors.
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
4:10 pm
They BOTH
We know that, but then again, we live in reality. I can’t say I have the same faith in some others around here.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
4:10 pm
“There’s a pattern here – a great association – when regulars change their monikers it’s as if they already know they’re going to post nonsense so they change their name so they can avoid some of the ridicule and embarrassment.”
A fine literary analysis. Here is your word for the day: sarcasm.
too little time
August 28th, 2012
4:11 pm
Many voters are just simply completely disconnected from the entire election and governmental operation process.
Could be because 47% pay no federal income tax at all, and could care less how bloated and inefficient the government is? They’ll vote for the party that gives them to most welfare, regardless of what it does to our country.
Citizen of the World
August 28th, 2012
4:12 pm
Stevie Ray, don’t bet a measly dollar! Take a page from Mitt’s book and bet $10,000!
getalife
August 28th, 2012
4:14 pm
Lobbyists write the bills now and can bribe them with unlimited bribes.
Perhaps you should watch their pitiful arguments on c-span to know what you are talking about.
They BOTH suck
August 28th, 2012
4:14 pm
Bro
I’m with you on that for sure.
Citizen of the World
August 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
The 47% who pay no federal taxes (but who still pay plenty of other taxes!) can’t afford it! They don’t make enough money to live as it is!
That’s one of the big things that’s wrong with this country — that so many make so little. And Republicans would like to further increase income disparity — or at least do nothing to help decrease it.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
August 28th, 2012
4:10 pm
Fred — “And I provided it. You are welcome.”
Just as I said, peevish and snippy. If you can’t be polite about it, then I’d prefer that you not do me any favors.
++++++++++++++++++++
And since you choose to do nothing but attempt to pick fights with me I’d prefer you not address me any more. I have zero desire to change my behavior just for you and your all of a sudden tender little fee fees. I am the same as I ever was. If you don;’t like it, tough. You don’t pay my salary, you don’t pay my bills, you don’t do my laundry and you don’t sleep with me. So quit trying to dictate how I act. I’m doing quite well as it is and have been for the last 49 years.
middle of the road
August 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
BOTH parties suck! Neither one is willing to compromise on anything! Maybe we all should pledge not to vote for any candidate that has either a (R) or a (D) after their name.
josef
August 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
FRED
Not sure which day we’ll be there…depends on when the family pow wow is, still arranging the time for that…it’ll probably be Sunday, so we’ll do Running Water on Saturday… no boa, unless Big Daddy decides to give it back to its rightful owner in time. Look for the khaki-izod pair of yuppies at the booksellers!
josef
August 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
FRED
Not sure which day we’ll be there…depends on when the family pow wow is, still arranging the time for that…it’ll probably be Sunday, so we’ll do Running Water on Saturday… no boa, unless Big Daddy decides to give it back to its rightful owner in time. Look for the khaki-izod pair of yuppies at the booksellers!
Oscar
August 28th, 2012
4:19 pm
(as if the Civil War were the fault of Lincoln).
______
Well, it was the fault of Lincoln.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
4:20 pm
Citizen of the World
August 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
The 47% who pay no federal taxes (but who still pay plenty of other taxes!) can’t afford it! They don’t make enough money to live as it is!
That’s one of the big things that’s wrong with this country — that so many
makeknow so little. And Republicans would like to further increaseincomeeducation disparity — or at least do nothing to help decrease it.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There I fixed that for you. LOL Although it is “correct” both your way AND my way.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
4:20 pm
“Well, it was the fault of Lincoln.”
Are you related to Booth?
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
4:20 pm
Crap, I let out the ending of the formatting argument lol.
Simple Truths
August 28th, 2012
4:21 pm
Would term limits fix some of this crap?
josef
August 28th, 2012
4:21 pm
BROSEPHUS
Naynh! Not me!
BILL ADAIR
If you’re here, are you one of THOSE Adairs from up around Calhoun?
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
4:22 pm
Citizen of the World
August 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
The 47% who pay no federal taxes (but who still pay plenty of other taxes!) can’t afford it! They don’t make enough money to live as it is!
That’s one of the big things that’s wrong with this country — that so many
makeknow so little. And Republicans would like to further increaseincomeeducation disparity — or at least do nothing to help decrease it.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There I fixed that for you. LOL Although it is “correct” both your way AND my way.
(take two)
josef
August 28th, 2012
4:23 pm
CRIER
Oscar’s right…it was the fault of Lincoln.
middle of the road
August 28th, 2012
4:23 pm
“The 47% who pay no federal taxes (but who still pay plenty of other taxes!) can’t afford it! They don’t make enough money to live as it is!”
I doubt that is true. When was the last time you heard of someone starving to death because they could not afford rice.
I think we should have an absolute minimum federal tax rate of 5% – I doubt that is going to make THAT big a difference in anyone’s life.
Trade that for the repeal of the 15% tax rate for income earned by capital gains. (Does that money not spend just like job earned money?)
I would allow capital gains to be indexed to inflation.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
4:24 pm
“If you’re here, are you one of THOSE Adairs from up around Calhoun?”
Presumably the Adair who posted here is from Tampa, Florida.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
4:24 pm
“Oscar’s right…it was the fault of Lincoln.”
Are you related to Booth as well?
Morality?
August 28th, 2012
4:25 pm
Jay – neither side has a “plan” that will save this economy from destruction. As for Congress – I have said for years that TERM LIMITS are the answer. It’s works for the President.
Bernie
August 28th, 2012
4:26 pm
The Affirmative Action Minstrel SHOW will be starting shortly. They ALL will be there with the Biggest,Broadest, and TOOTHIEST Grins that you will ever see from anyone tonight!
They will be CHOSEN ones! The luckiest of ALL! to be selected out of 13 MILLION more that Look just like THEM!
They all will LOOK like Lottery winners, but without the MONEY!
Logical Dude
August 28th, 2012
4:26 pm
The 47% who pay no federal taxes
Is one of the most misunderstood statements by the right.
The report that had this percentage figure showed that the “didn’t pay federal taxes” was at ALL income levels, not just the very poor.
Of course, having people do this research on their own is asking just a bit much. It’s much easier to hear a quote, and quote it over and over thinking they look smart.
oldfart
August 28th, 2012
4:26 pm
Decriminalize dueling.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
4:27 pm
“As for Congress – I have said for years that TERM LIMITS are the answer. It’s works for the President.”
Agreed. I have wondered if we could start a movement to insist politicians sign a pledge to support them?
killerj
August 28th, 2012
4:27 pm
Take the first shot Jay,no pun intended.