Broken Promises: The Death of Deliberative Democracy

[paineinthearse]

I am sickened by the death of the democratic deliberative process. Worthy bills are buried in committee. Promises made in committee to allow amendments on the floor are renegged. This gives me resolve to work even harder to win back the House and Senate in 2006!

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http://democrats.house.gov/news/librarydetail.cfm?library_content_id=343

March 8, 2005
Broken Promises: The Death of Deliberative Democracy

A Congressional Report on the Unprecedented Erosion of the Democratic Process in the 108th Congress

Prepared by Rep. Louise Slaughter, ranking member, House Rules Committee

To learn more about Rep. Slaughter, go to http://democrats.house.gov/about/representative_detail.cfm?rep_id=202

In the 108th Congress, House Republicans became the most arrogant, unethical and corrupt majority in modern Congressional history.

When they took control of the House after the 1994 elections, Republicans vowed they would be different than previous Congresses. They promised they would manage the House in a way that fostered what they called "deliberative democracy," which they defined as "the full and free airing of conflicting opinions through hearings, debates, and amendments for the purpose of developing and improving legislation deserving of the respect and support of the people."

This report documents how, ten years after their "revolution," House Republicans have completely abandoned this standard of deliberative democracy they set for themselves. Furthermore, they have abandoned any other principle of procedural fairness or democratic accountability. In the opinion of many non-partisan observers of Congress, the 108th Congress not only matched the worst abuses of earlier Congresses; it set a whole new benchmark.

This report examines in detail how, over the past two years, the Republican leadership ignored the House Rules and the basic standards of legislative fairness and regular order with an impunity that is unprecedented in the history of the House of Representatives.

To read the entire report (pdf), go to http://www.democrats.house.gov/docs/brokenpromises.pdf

[paineinthearse]

1. Rep. Jim McGovern, 2nd ranking member

I want to put in a plug for Jim McGovern, the #2 Dem on the Rules Committee. He is a great guy and very accessable.

http://democrats.house.gov/about/representative_detail.cfm?rep_id=143

[paineinthearse]

2. Aren't threre any small "d" democrats in the house?

Sigh!

:kick:

[Just Me]

3. The intentional suppression of deliberation is death to democracy.

The republican leadership has proven itself to be a totalitarian regime. No doubt about that!!! :mad:

[paineinthearse]

4. News of the demise of the death of democracy will not appear in the MSM

You can be assured of that.

That is why every DU member needs to capture Slaughter's points and share with friends and write letters to the editor.

[atommom]

5. This is a very interesting report, and deserves more press!

[otohara]

6. I Wanted To Print Out

entire report - my goodness it's 147 pages. Keeping up with this GOP congress is a daunting task - they are so corrupt.