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
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818 comments Add your comment
Jack
August 28th, 2012
8:12 pm
Do love to hear a parliamentary expert expound: Especially a liberal expert.
Paul
August 28th, 2012
8:13 pm
kayaker 71
Smart way to buy one. Even if it’s a buy and hold strategy, first year depreciation is still first year depreciation.
I know I’ve told this story before, hope it’s new to you. Was going thru the checkout line at the market, high school checker asked what I was doing on the weekend. Said my brother was flying in from Calif to watch some football games. Kid asked what my brother did and I told him. Next question (typical kid around here) was “what kind of car does he drive?” and I said (don’t remember the exact age but it’s close enough) “a 15 year old Saab with 250,000 miles on it,.” Kid looked shocked and I said ‘you need to learn two words: depreciating asset.”
That’s the problem with some cars…. I just can’t make an economic justification for trading. So I’m working the safety and technology angles… but I hate to spend money!
TaxPayer
August 28th, 2012
8:13 pm
Does the Democratic Party platform include a strategy to hold people subservient to the use of roads and police and schools, etc., Recon.
They BOTH suck
August 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
Was he trying to say that on 5 to 8% of the black population get it?
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
K-71,
I think that the left which has moved very far left into socialism and communism without many self described liberals even understanding that anti-American progression is now on the decline. It peaked with the election of a leftist radical as president and he might even slip through to reelection, which would indeed be unfortunate but the country is becoming much more politically aware of the real danger we face.
John Boehner And His Thugs. They Have No Rhyme nor Reason.
August 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
“A stage upon which political actors strut and prance.”
They don’t do that WELL (strut or prance).
They have no RHYTHM to strut or prance.
They have no Rhyme nor Reason.
“Was there ever any man thus beaten out of season,
When in the why and the wherefore is neither rhyme nor reason?”
Paul
August 28th, 2012
8:16 pm
Recon
” plantation strategy of holding people subservient to government programs.”
Says the guy who earned his living working government programs and has a retirement significantly funded by his fellow taxpayers.
JamVet
August 28th, 2012
8:16 pm
Does anyone know if Herman “I was too young to be involved in the Civil Rights movement” Cain is gonna speak at the Polkafest?
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:16 pm
Why are YOU a republican That Black Guy?
I’m curious. You don’t spout the typical talk radio bumper sticker crap. You ahve a reasoned well thought out position every time you post. As you know I’m an independent who leans left on some issues and right on others yet I won’t support EITHER party.
Why do YOU choose the Republican? And if you choose not to answer just say, none of your business Fred and I won’t think any less of you. I will still hold you and your posts in high esteem.
They BOTH suck
August 28th, 2012
8:17 pm
Pardon me, I should have said black electorate, which is smaller than the same percentage of the black population.
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:19 pm
josef: if you’re still here, I want you to know something. Before this evening I had never heard of The Protocols of the Meeting of the Elders of Zion>.
Frankly, I am insulted and offended that you would bring that up in reference to me. I think you have an overly important opinion of yourself and don’t mind insulting people for no reason.
I think that you should do a self-evaluation that includes determining whether or not you have some self-importance fantasies.
josef
August 28th, 2012
8:19 pm
Oooohhh here comes Big Daddy talking ’bout the “plantation mentality…” I better watch my step here…I’ll be pickin cotton on the lower 40 by morning…
Jokes aside, though, Jay’s point stands…
FRED
@ 8:07
Yep.
And thanks for the song!
And no, I’m not yet the monarch, only Le Petit Prince on Big Daddy’s Liberal Plantation…
Congressional Reform Act of 2012
August 28th, 2012
8:19 pm
Congressional Reform Act of 2012
1. Term Limits
12 years max, some possible options are below.
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension
Members of Congress receive a salary while in office,
that salary ends when they leave office.
3. Congress members (past, present & future) are to participate in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system
immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system,
and Congress participates with all Americans.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
6. Congress loses their current health care system
and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
7. Members of Congress must equally abide by all laws
they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present members of Congress are void effective 8/29/12.
The American people did not make the contract members of Congress enjoy,
Congress made all these contracts for themselves.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.
The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators,
so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
8:20 pm
the conservative movement has pretty well written off the black vote.
Seems like the plan that started in 1888 has finally borne fruit. Or, the plan is finally coming to it’s intended targeted end…
The term Lily-White Movement is generally attributed to Texas Republican leader Norris Wright Cuney who used the term in an 1888 Republican convention to describe efforts by white conservatives to oust blacks from positions of Texas party leadership and incite riots to divide the party.[1] The term came to be used nationally to describe this ongoing movement as it further developed in the early 20th century.[2] Localized movements began immediately after the war but by the beginning of the 20th century the effort had become national.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily-White_Movement
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:20 pm
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
K-71,
I think that the left which has moved very far left into socialism and communism without many self described liberals even understanding that anti-American progression is now on the decline. It peaked with the election of a leftist radical as president and he might even slip through to reelection, which would indeed be unfortunate but the country is becoming much more politically aware of the real danger we face.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yet you fail to acknowledge that the right wing has slipped way past the fascism of Germany in the 1930’s. You use “messicans” instead of Jews for your scape goat yet your racial purity policies are no different. You want the very rich to rule as royalty and nobility. You want YOUR religion to be forced on everyone else by the Government. You espouse these themes every day and yet you claim the left is to blame for trying to thwart your white, protestant, oppressive, theocratic goals? I don’t get it…….
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
8:21 pm
“Chalk it up to the unintended consequences of polarization. That was my point the other day with Doom in regards to Huntsman. He’s labeled RINO, but he’s more of a true conservative than Romney. The GOP primary voters decided to listen to the talking heads instead of researching on their own.”
I could have voted for Huntsman. He is smart and is surprisingly conservative on some issues (over and against his RINO image).
“As long as even one party seeks to find ideological purity, you’ll never see the parties as they used to be. Instead of looking for a Conservative Democrat to replace Chambliss with, why not just simply replace him first?”
I understand your point. That suggestion might have carried more weight ten years ago. But we now have a president that has come out in favor of gay marriage, for instance. There is now, in my view, just too much to risk (when you consider just HOW MUCH culture has “evolved” in the past 50 years – from the SCOTUS ruling computer generated child porn is protected and the city of SF actually considering public funding of sex change operations to pornography and obscenity being staples of American life – and how ANATHEMA that is to social conservatives) to do such a thing. Form what you have said in other posts, such things are water off a duck’s back to you. They are not to me.
“Move him out of the way, and you may have another candidate step forward in the next election who’s your ideal candidate.”
A whole six years later? See my point above.
“Sometimes, you just have to step out on faith.”
You are asking a lot. I feel more strongly about the decline in American mores than I do about term limits. We are fast becoming the ancient Greeks.
“As a voter who doesn’t think either party has my best interests in mind, that’s all I have to cling to these days.”
I would guess you are more flexible on a whole host of issues than am I.
Common Freaking Sense isn't very Common
August 28th, 2012
8:22 pm
Congressional Reform Act of 2012
Only problem is who would be voting on it?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 28th, 2012
8:22 pm
Things are a little different in mine Country Kam.
Damn Fred, that really blows. I got addicted to the FX show Justified, that shows the industry from the Ky. side. Lots of poverty, but beautiful country being despoiled.
Jim and Jesse covering a John Prine tune.
When I was a child my family would travel
Down to Western Kentucky where my parents were born
And there’s a backwards old town that’s often remembered
So many times that my memories are worn.
And daddy won’t you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the Green River where Paradise lay
Well, I’m sorry my son, but you’re too late in asking
Mister Peabody’s coal train has hauled it away
josef
August 28th, 2012
8:23 pm
SOOTH
You can’t possibly be any more insulted than I am when you do it.
And why don’t you go crying to Big Daddy about me “insulting people for no reason?” He probably gives more of a happy hoot about that than I do…I’ve got my reasons.
getalife
August 28th, 2012
8:23 pm
cnn is reporting with their usual yellow journalism to create conflict that the gop refused to read ron paul’s delegate vote count.
Our one ron paul fan thomas must be upset.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
8:24 pm
“Seems like the plan that started in 1888 has finally borne fruit. Or, the plan is finally coming to it’s intended targeted end…”
I don’t usually (or at all) go to this site, but found a link to this review in a google search. I suspect your view of the black migration to the Democratic party is not as “black and white” as you might think, Brosephus. Judge for yourself:
http://www.redstate.com/dan_mclaughlin/2012/07/11/the-southern-strategy-myth-and-the-lost-majority/
John Boehner And His Thugs. They Have No Rhyme nor Reason.
August 28th, 2012
8:24 pm
@Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
K-71,
I think that the left which has moved very far left into socialism and communism without many self described liberals even understanding that anti-American progression is now on the decline. It peaked with the election of a leftist radical as president and he might even slip through to reelection, which would indeed be unfortunate but the country is becoming much more politically aware of the real danger we face.
************************************************************************************
The real danger that the country is facing is a proliferation of racism and ignorance.
It has manifested since a black man was elected president.
Until then it was WELL HIDDEN even though black people was very AWARE
of its presence.
We are NOT SURPRISED.
It was just a matter of time before it RAISED ITS UGLY HEAD AGAIN.
Be on NOTICE THAT WE ARE NOT GOING BACK TO THOSE DAYS
WITHOUT A FIGHT.
Ask your black friends IF YOU HAVE ANY.
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
8:25 pm
NoCom
That scene is one of the coolest in any of the Indiana Jones movies. That’s basically how I feel when it comes to voting for most politicians.
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:25 pm
“You can’t possibly be any more insulted than I am when you do it.”
DO WHAT?!! WTF are you talking about?
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:25 pm
josef: I was going to play the regular version of God Save the Queen but when I stumbled across the Sex Pistols version (which I had never heard before) it was to funny in this instance not to link. Glad you enjoyed it.
Man they were sure miffed at the Queen weren’t they lol?
You know to ME the best song for you is still………..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ti2P_z5IPw
and only slightly (well MOSTLY) because they are one of my fav bands of all time and this is one of my fav songs of all time lol.
Paul
August 28th, 2012
8:25 pm
Work’s done…. dinner’s ’bout ready…. the follies are on tv…
Pleasant evening, all -
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
8:26 pm
K-71,
I don’t think we should write off the Black vote. We of course can’t expect a significant Black vote now but I see Educated independent Black Americans gravitating toward the Conservative cause more and more. We should encourage that shift in political ideology.
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:27 pm
josef: you can’t tolerate even the slightest criticism of Israel, Bebe, or war against Iran. Well, you might as well get used to it.
getalife
August 28th, 2012
8:27 pm
Jam,
They have a mystery speaker so it could be cain or palin.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:28 pm
Kam: You miserable dog. I have ENOUGH shows to keep up with lol. I wanted to watch Justified but let it slide (like I do most). Now because of YOU I’m going to have to check it out. Shame I can’t blame my blossoming interest in soccer on you as well. As long as I’m piling stuff on I should be able to add that one two. I know. I’ll pretend I’m a Republican and you are Obama and it’s now YOUR fault……..
Orange12
August 28th, 2012
8:29 pm
This Republican Convention is a pretty good listen. You should tune in.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
8:29 pm
“I honestly do not understand how the Republican Party is going to pivot after this election to do the things necessary to attract minority support.”
Have you read Sean Trende’s The Lost Majority? I haven’t yet, but I understand that one of this theses is that there are no lasting political coalitions.
Congressional Reform Act of 2012
August 28th, 2012
8:30 pm
getalife
August 28th, 2012
8:27 pm
They have a mystery speaker so it could be cain or palin.
++++++++++++++
or it could be George W. Bush.
TaxPayer
August 28th, 2012
8:31 pm
Meanwhile, back in reality, Obama attracted the Educated white vote. Go figger.
Common Freaking Sense isn't very Common
August 28th, 2012
8:31 pm
Time to relax and watch the follies?
Naw, better to batter my head on a steel door
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
8:32 pm
“Says the guy who earned his living working government programs and has a retirement significantly funded by his fellow taxpayers.”
Excellent Paul, please share with me my Bio so that I might know how to claim that taxpayer funded retirement.
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:33 pm
Right now, I’m listening to this goober on MSNBC from the RNC. What a liar! IT’S ALL OBAMA’S FAULT! We didn’t have nothing to do with it! What a joke!
LIES! LIES! LIES! LIES! LIES! LIES! LIES! and more LIES!
getalife
August 28th, 2012
8:34 pm
Are you cons even watching your convention?
Old Goober
August 28th, 2012
8:34 pm
There are idiots among us who measure the success of congress by the amount of legislation passed. Its success should be measured by the number of BS laws and regulations repealed, and how few freedom-killing laws it passes.
All this arguing misses the main point of the election. While you’re arguing about abortion, etc., there’s a concerted campaign to return us to the 1950s when coal reigned supreme. The code word “energy independence” is just another way of saying, “Let’s rein in the EPA and return to dirty air, mercury-laced water, and the spoilation of pristine wilderness areas in favor of oil drilling.” If you think the owner of that mine in Ohio wasn’t serious when he stated his belief that “we need an administration that’s more friendly to coal,” you haven’t been paying attention. If you’re a follower of politics, you should know that nothing’s going to happen with abortion without the Supreme Court’s concurrence. But there’s a very real threat to your future grandchildren’s health in a return to the Love Canal days.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
8:35 pm
“Meanwhile, back in reality, Obama attracted the Educated white vote.”
The term “educated” needed to be capitalized? I am white, very well educated and he didn’t attract my vote (or that of a number of similarly educated whites I know). He attracted the vote of many white educated liberals.
Orange12
August 28th, 2012
8:35 pm
“Are you cons even watching your convention?”
You know it!
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:36 pm
Kam: Sam Prine Changed my life. He was one hell of an antidote to Ayn Rand………..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_k9mslBS0A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2okOuZ8T_o&feature=related
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
8:36 pm
“Are you cons even watching your convention?”
LOL. Not me. I am about to go watch “Master Chef”. I am a conservative, not a Republican per se.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:37 pm
LOL Kam. JOHN Prine. I was thinking of Sam Stone when I typed that…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl9ZkYViEIs
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:37 pm
josef: if you’re still here, I want you to realize one thing. And most of the others posters here will testify. I’m going to say my piece and, if you or anyone else, attacks me, I coming after you (figuratively speaking, of course) — especially if you insult me.
josef
August 28th, 2012
8:39 pm
SOOTH
I am probably one of the more critical of Bibi you’re going to find, and if you ever paid any attention you’d know I’ve been equally critical of his and Barack’s cozying up to each other. You’re the one who can’t be critical of the policies of the government of the State of Israel without conflating it into a screed against world Jewry.
And where, for the love of G-d, have I ever said I was in favor of war with Iran?
Paul
August 28th, 2012
8:39 pm
Leave it to Recon to wait until I sign off to respond.
Aren’t you the same guy who spent his time in federal service? Secret Service? But you like to fall back on foxhole time? Isn’t that you? Given your age, you’re pre-FERS, correct? Old CRS program? Where you recover everything you paid in in a couple of years and then taxpayers pay as long as you live?
If it’s not you, my apologies for stating you’re one of the typical ex-government cons who berates everyone else for relying on taxpayers even though you’ve done it your entire working life.
moonbat betty
August 28th, 2012
8:40 pm
Hilarious how libs attack Christie because of his physical appearance.
That’s all that matters in their demented and evil minds.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:41 pm
Paul: I think you have Recon confused with Scout. Well except for the wait til you sign off part.
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
8:41 pm
Towncrier
Getting through the first half of that article, the author is actually pretty factually correct. I think he does a disservice to anybody who reads that by not being historically correct though.
When you read that article, you see the differences made between Democrats and Republicans. What that author avoids in the beginning and only belatedly brings into the mix is the actual ideologies involved. That’s been my point every time I bring this topic up.
The ideological makeup of the parties was not as clean cut and polarized then as they are now. The “Radical Republicans” the author talks about were Liberal Republicans, hence the term Radical.
The Radical Republicans were a loose faction of American politicians within the Republican Party from about 1854 (before the American Civil War) until the end of Reconstruction in 1877. They called themselves “radicals” and were opposed during the war by moderates and conservative factions led by Abraham Lincoln and after the war by self-described “conservatives” (in the South) and “Liberals” (in the North). Radicals strongly opposed slavery during the war and after the war distrusted ex-Confederates, demanding harsh policies for the former rebels, and emphasizing civil rights and voting rights for Freedmen (recently freed slaves).
That part of the GOP was actively fighting against slavery. It was not the entire party, as many would make it seem by just giving credit to the party as a whole. On the same token, Conservative Democrats were the ones actively fighting integration and such. You don’t get that when you credit the entire party for the actions of a segment of the party.
In today’s terms, that’s like claiming all Republicans are racist because of a few jackasses within the party. You and I both know the difference between the idiots within the party as opposed to the entire party, but when you use general labels, then everybody gets plastered with a negative label.
There are very few historians who actually dig deep enough into the causes of the split and hash it out for the common individual to understand. I don’t think this country will see any measure of overcoming racial obstacles and barriers until we all sit down and get all the misconceptions and deceptions out and in the open. When you don’t know your history, you are doomed to repeat it.
In pointing out the ideology, I am also not trying to label any modern Conservatives with the actions from the 1800’s. However, not pointing out the distinction in the ideological thinking does not accurately portray history as it actually happened.
getalife
August 28th, 2012
8:42 pm
rand paul is talking about auditing the Pentagon and giving all Senior citizens congressional health care plan.
josef
August 28th, 2012
8:42 pm
The Republicans had better hope they don’t win. Then they’ll have to deliver on the rhetoric. They can do a lot more damage in opposition as the last four years have shown.
moonbat betty
August 28th, 2012
8:43 pm
geez, Paul.
Tomorrow is another day.
You need Bosch back to rub your bottom. j/k
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
8:43 pm
Towncrier
BTW…. I peruse RedState have it bookmarked as one of my favorites. I had not come across that particular article though. That one is also in my history folder now. I appreciate the link.
TaxPayer
August 28th, 2012
8:44 pm
The term “educated” needed to be capitalized?
If you study Recon’s posts as closely as you studied mine, you might just find a hint as to why I capitalized.
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:44 pm
I am probably one of the more critical of Bibi you’re going to find, and if you ever paid any attention you’d know I’ve been equally critical of his and Barack’s cozying up to each other. You’re the one who can’t be critical of the policies of the government of the State of Israel without conflating it into a screed against world Jewry.
And where, for the love of G-d, have I ever said I was in favor of war with Iran?
Really, josef? You sure about all of that? Can you post a single post of mine that would substantiate even one of those statements you just made?
I know for a fact that you have posted your support for a Bebe attack on Iran.
Old Goober
August 28th, 2012
8:45 pm
Aren’t you the same guy who spent his time in federal service? Secret Service?
No, that’s 0311, Scout, James Cool—however he wants to identify himself. Such people accept readily the pre-FERS retirement plan, which is much more generous. Ever hear of anyone turning down the old system for the Newt version? But they’re all for cutting benefits of everybody else.
TaxPayer
August 28th, 2012
8:45 pm
The Republicans had better hope they don’t win. Then they’ll have to deliver on the rhetoric.
Like they did on their 2010 jobs campaign.
Doggone/GA
August 28th, 2012
8:46 pm
“Hilarious how libs attack Christie because of his physical appearance.
That’s all that matters in their demented and evil minds”
Oh sure, because we can lay claim to the guy that characterises himself “Liberal Chicks Are Ugly” right? Not
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:46 pm
“The Republicans had better hope they don’t win. Then they’ll have to deliver on the rhetoric. They can do a lot more damage in opposition as the last four years have shown.”
Never has there been a truer statement.
RepugNOwecan’ts: be careful what you wish for. Then it will be put up or shut up!
Paul
August 28th, 2012
8:47 pm
Fred
Thanks.
Sorry, Recon. I thought the numeric tag was a carryover from Scout. From Scout to a numeric to a combination to….
Scout.. Recon… 0311whatever….
So you did a few years USMC too?
moonbat betty
August 28th, 2012
8:47 pm
switchblade=>Sooth
John Boehner And His Thugs. They Have No Rhyme nor Reason.
August 28th, 2012
8:47 pm
@Orange12
August 28th, 2012
8:29 pm
This Republican Convention is a pretty good listen. You should tune in.
**************************************************************************************
I have tuned in all day.
All I see is a bunch of OLD WHITE PEOPLE pretending to have fun.
OLD WHITE PEOPLE should not try to dance on national tv.
They look so ridiculous, fake and phony.
And the few Negroes who are skinning and grinning look more
ridiculous.
This country has STOOPED TO A NEW LOW.
But we are not getting in the gutter with them.
THEY CAN WALLOW IN THE DIRT BY THEMSELVES.
josef
August 28th, 2012
8:47 pm
SOOTH
Your posts or the Hezbollah diatribes you cut and paste on a regular basis?
And cite where I supported a Bibi attack on Iran.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:48 pm
moonbat betty
August 28th, 2012
8:40 pm
Hilarious how libs attack Christie because of his physical appearance.
That’s all that matters in their demented and evil minds.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Your damn problem you silly Republican twisted moonbat is that you are Thunder struck…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsmXLGKdkW4&list=PL4FBF8CCC8D975A45&index=26&feature=plpp_video
Doggone/GA
August 28th, 2012
8:48 pm
“The Republicans had better hope they don’t win. Then they’ll have to deliver on the rhetoric.”
You’ve got to be kidding. Like they delivered on the rhetoric of the LAST election? If they win they’ll consider it a “mandate” ala the one the Bush won and do what they want to do and rhetoric be damned.
moonbat betty
August 28th, 2012
8:48 pm
Doggone 8:46, I have no idea what you are referring to.
They BOTH suck
August 28th, 2012
8:48 pm
Southern Strategy myth?
“Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization,” Mehlman said at the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “I am here today as the Republican chairman to tell you we were wrong.”
Mehlman’s apology to the NAACP at the group’s convention in Milwaukee marked the first time a top Republican Party leader has denounced the so-called Southern Strategy employed by Richard Nixon and other Republicans to peel away white voters in what was then the heavily Democratic South. Beginning in the mid-1960s, Republicans encouraged disaffected Southern white voters to vote Republican by blaming pro-civil rights Democrats for racial unrest and other racial problems.
More recently, however, Republicans have been working aggressively to build the party’s support among African-Americans, who have long voted overwhelmingly for Democrats. In 2000, President Bush got just 9% of the black vote. He improved slightly to 11% in 2004.
“It’s clear the Republicans really are trying to make inroads with black voters,” says Merle Black, a political scientist at Emory University in Atlanta and co-author of The Rise of Southern Republicans.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush agreed with Mehlman, although the president did not express similar regrets in the speech Thursday to the Indiana Black Expo in Indianapolis.
“Ken (Mehlman) said it was wrong to try and benefit from racial polarization. We agree fully,” McClellan said.
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:49 pm
Immediate opening: Bull shyte shoveler at the Republican National convention. Bring you own shovel. Pay: $7.25/hr.
Paul
August 28th, 2012
8:49 pm
moonbat
This place is diminished by Bosch’s absence.
Seriously.
And we dance nekkid in the moonlight to pagan music. No rubbin’.
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
8:49 pm
Paul, I was Marines 61-67 and then went back to civilian life. Long career in I.T. sales and marketing. Formed my own business in 1990 through 2003. Semi-retired since then. Not rich but did well and don’t receive government retirement. Never ASSume
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 28th, 2012
8:49 pm
Fred
I think John Prine is as much a national treasure as Woody Guthrie. Probably won’t be recognized until it’s posthumously.
Jesus, The Missing Years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFGTXDxuaJ8
Paul
August 28th, 2012
8:50 pm
Recon
And which one of you two is ‘Del’?
moonbat betty
August 28th, 2012
8:50 pm
yeah, Paul, that little buddy was funny.
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:50 pm
josef: I’m not going to sort through 1,000s of posts to try to find it. But . . . the next time you do I will save it to a Word file.
josef
August 28th, 2012
8:51 pm
PAUL
“And we dance nekkid in the moonlight to pagan music. No rubbin’”
And have day jobs as maids in Lubbock…
The Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers
August 28th, 2012
8:52 pm
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:49 pm
Immediate opening: Bull shyte shoveler at the Republican National convention. Bring you own shovel. Pay: $7.25/hr.
Union labor: Lean on your shovel for 35 an hour and it wont move..
josef
August 28th, 2012
8:52 pm
SOOTH
You do that. Then get back with me.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
8:53 pm
“What that author avoids in the beginning and only belatedly brings into the mix is the actual ideologies involved. That’s been my point every time I bring this topic up.”
Thanks for the response. I guess you would have to point me to a post wherein you enumerate said ideologies for me to assess the value of your argument or position. There is no pro-slavery or pro-segregationist ideology to be found in either party these days. Approaching the middle of the 19th century, slavery existed and there was either support for or opposition to it. In that context, it is easy to see the competing ideologies. What would you say they are now?
redneckbluedog
August 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
The Republicans are WAY divided.
Christians vs. Cultists and Establishment vs. Libertarians…….
My prayer for America is that the Cultist Establishment LOSES…!!!!!
Welcome to the Occupation
August 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
Americans are the most easily confused, ignorant public of any so-called ‘mature’ modern democracy. Hard to overestimate how ignorant Americans are in general.
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
“Immediate opening: Bull shyte shoveler at the Republican National convention. Bring you own shovel. Pay: $7.25/hr.”
Perhaps this is as close to a “shovel ready” job promised by Obama we are ever going to see.
Orange12
August 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
I’ve only heard the Republican Party say one thing tonight that could be stretching the truth a little bit. One of them said Obama couldn’t even run a Lemonade Stand due to his lack of resume’. I could be wrong but I think he could probably run a Lemonade Stand without too much outside help. Even if he didn’t build it himself.
G Mare
August 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
Someone early on this topic talked about dorms for politicians in DC. I think I remember that there was such a house shared by several young Republican congressmen. On K street maybe? Anyone else remember that?
Soothsayer
August 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
Union members need not apply!
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
Paul
August 28th, 2012
8:49 pm
moonbat
This place is diminished by Bosch’s absence.
Seriously.
And we dance nekkid in the moonlight to pagan music. No rubbin’.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Diminished by Bosch’s absence, Hillbilly Deluxe’s absence, and diminished by Bruno’s absence.
But all three have chosen to leave us.
josef
August 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
WELCOME
Just being EOI here, but aren’t YOU an American…?
They BOTH suck
August 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
Recon
You should reach out to the Urban League and ask to speak at one of their functions.
Military background and successful businessman. You will come across people who fall into similar paths.
Most not of age to have been in Vietnam, but who have served in some capacity or another in the military and have gone on to pursue successful careers in business.
The Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers
August 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
I have tuned in all day.
All I see is a bunch of OLD WHITE PEOPLE pretending to have fun.
OLD WHITE PEOPLE should not try to dance on national tv.
They look so ridiculous, fake and phony.
And the few Negroes who are skinning and grinning look more
ridiculous.
This country has STOOPED TO A NEW LOW.
But we are not getting in the gutter with them.
THEY CAN WALLOW IN THE DIRT BY THEMSELVES.
You’d rather a bunch of pant drooping jobless african americans doing the inchworm on national t.v. as your beacon of brilliance?? You want to play the race card??
Towncrier
August 28th, 2012
8:57 pm
“Never has there been a truer statement.”
Really? Wow! Let me write it down, then!!!
Recon 0311 2533
August 28th, 2012
8:57 pm
Paul, I’m the original Del. Sorry for the confusion I changed my blog name a few years ago to Recon 0311 2533. 0311 is an infantry MOS and 2533 is a communication MOS. I was what was called an RTO in a Recon unit. Scout was also 0311 infantry USMC so I can understand that we can be confused.
Paul
August 28th, 2012
8:58 pm
Recon
Thanks, and apologies. Wasn’t an assumption, was a misidentification. Scout’s been pretty free with his bio in attempting to use it in one-upmanship over the years.
Ever spend time at Pendleton?
josef
August 28th, 2012
8:59 pm
FRED
Bosch hasn’t exactly left us…he’s been busy getting a new business off the ground. He chimes in ever so often to say hello…Hillbilly had his reasons…and contrary to what Sooth thinks, I’m not Bruno!
The Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers
August 28th, 2012
8:59 pm
Welcome to the Occupation
August 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
Americans are the most easily confused, ignorant public of any so-called ‘mature’ modern democracy. Hard to overestimate how ignorant Americans are in general.
Hmm, if we’re so ignorant why are you here oh enlightened one? If you don’t like it, go back to your mud adobe in some third world country ingrate.
Fred ™
August 28th, 2012
8:59 pm
Paul: Recon is Del.
Kam: You are correct about John Prine. Until someone posted that awesome Steve Goodman song the other day and I did some research on his (Steve) I never realized that John co-wrote The perfect country song and refused to take song writing credit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_qfujQ_jTQ
And now I gotta split. Later.
F. Sinkwich
August 28th, 2012
9:00 pm
““I honestly do not understand how the Republican Party is going to pivot after this election to do the things necessary to attract minority support.”
Jay wants conservatives to become moonbat lib ilks.
There’s already a euro-socialist party in America. It’s called democrat.
As some of you may know, “democrat” has two words origins.
“Demo” is Latin for ‘freeloader,’ or perhaps more accurately ‘one who expects something for nothing.’ Scholars have also determined, fully peer reviewed, that it means ‘those who hate others who have achieved more than they have.’
“Crat” is simpler in its origin. Colloquially, it means more or less ‘dullard,” but many academics have argued that it means ‘loser,’ or ’scat for intellect.’
Thus ends tonight’s etymology lesson.
You’re welcome.
Welcome to the Occupation
August 28th, 2012
9:00 pm
As a country, America is a disgrace.
Brosephus™
August 28th, 2012
9:01 pm
Towncrier
I’ll flood you with a few of them…
http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/05/23/the-party-of-civil-rights-thats-the-wrong-question/?cp=6#comment-961753
——————
http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/02/27/obamas-poker-instincts-on-view-in-presidency/?cp=13#comment-879107
Welcome to the Occupation
August 28th, 2012
9:01 pm
There’s already a euro-socialist party in America. It’s called democrat.
And that, my friends, is a classic example of the stupidity that characterizes the ignoramus American people.
TaxPayer
August 28th, 2012
9:01 pm
Immediate opening: Bull shyte shoveler at the Republican National convention. Bring you own shovel. Pay: $7.25/hr.
Union labor: Lean on your shovel for 35 an hour and it wont move..
So, does anyone know if union labor was used to set up any of that convention for the Republicans and what the pay was.