The House Republicans Could stop the NSA spying today...but they won't. This is bi-partisan madness

[titaniumsalute]

I love all of the SURPRISED people on DU about the spying. Between the passing of the Patriot Act in 2001, the GWB Presidential Surveillance Program, the souped up passage of the 2008 FISA Amendment...how can anyone be surprised? All of this "spying" is fucking legal in the sense of the bills that have been passed. (I think it should be illegal.)

The House, occupied by the right, could stop this. They could vote to repeal the Patriot Act, the FISA 2008 Amendment, and de-fund the NSA. But of course they cannot. THEY CREATED it for the most part. That's why you hear almost nothing from the right on this. They helped create this beast.

I see a lot of blaming the President. Who knows how much he even knows what happens at the NSA. But he could lead a charge to stop this NOW and make it bi-partisan.

[Atman]

1. They ALL want it...they envision their own power...

Figuring out how this might help them in campaigning and redistricting. I've never been in favor of term limits, but I'm beginning to think ONE term should be the limit. It would disincentivize "career politicians." It would no longer be worth $20 mil to run a campaign for a $150,000 a year job. No one from either party has the spine to stand up and say "ENOUGH!" because they know some other fame-seeking asshole pol will use it against them in their next campaign ad. If the didn't have to worry about their next campaign, they might actually DO something.

[titaniumsalute]

4. I agree 100% n/t

[kentuck]

2. Odds are that if nobody complains, it will never be changed.

So lets give the contrarians a little credit. At least they are trying to do something.

[asjr]

3. What astounds me is the number of senators

and reps who are jumping up and down about it without owing up to the fact they never attended the meetings about it in the first place. And when did this NSA first start--2001. I can't believe they were all asleep for 12 years. As far as I know we were never harmed by it until now. No one will ever convince me this Snowden fellow is doing this because he wanted to be a patriot. I still smell a Republican odor floating over us.