Pelosi: How to drain GOP 'swamp' in the first 100 hours of Dems in control

[Human Torch]

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent Fri Oct 6, 1:58 AM ET

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061006/ap_on_el_ge/pelosi_time_1

WASHINGTON - Franklin Roosevelt had his first hundred days. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is thinking 100 hours, time enough, she says, to begin to "drain the swamp" after more than a decade of Republican rule.

As in the first 100 hours the House meets after Democrats — in her fondest wish — win control in the Nov. 7 midterm elections and Pelosi takes the gavel as the first Madam Speaker in history.

Day One: Put new rules in place to "break the link between lobbyists and legislation." Day Two: Enact all the recommendations made by the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Time remaining until 100 hours: Raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, maybe in one step. Cut the interest rate on student loans in half. Allow the government to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients. Broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds — "I hope with a veto-proof majority," she added in an Associated Press interview Thursday. All the days after that: "Pay as you go," meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.

[Ezlivin]

1. Hour One - Impeachment Proceedings

I can't wait until the hearings!

[ForFuxakes]

2. Point of order madam speaker...

WTF about some oversight and hearings on IRAQ and our dying troops!
:banghead:

[Deep13]

4. Hour 101?

[Deep13]

3. She's looking Speakeresque.

Of course to really look like a Speaker, she needs to eat her own weight in pork products every day.

Anyway, we sound be playing up this angle for the female vote turnout: America's first woman Congressional head.

[Canuckistanian]

6. LOL

You said "pork"
:rofl:

[LiberalFighter]

5. It would require veto proof majority in both houses

Likelihood of Bush signing without a signing statement? Nadda

[LiberalFighter]

9. How about instead of having a different minimum wage for different

groups (industries)?

For instance... have a minimum wage that is based on living wage for non-seasonal employment.
And a minimum wage for seasonal employment that is lower than living wage? Restaurant employees should get paid more. I don't believe even with tips their income is that good. Their minimum wage should be higher than what it is. Maybe that should be based on whatever the living wage automatically. Make it 60% or 75% or something like that.

Maybe have an entry-level position with a minimum wage and a different minimum wage for non entry-level positions. Entry-level positions to be classified as a job that mainly staffed with high-school or college kids with the requirement that those employed in that position would have the higher minimum wage go into effect after so many months if they are over 21.

Then there should also be a maximum salary for management/executives? It should be based on either a multiple of the lowest employees wages or percent of net profits if the executive is not an owner controlled by a board.

Or if not different minimum wage by type of employment have it based on age and length of service. Something along the line of the entry-level employment. A two step or three step to full minimum wage. But there would have to be something in place to keep employers from firing their employees because they want to pay the lower rate.

Just throwing those out.

[AndyA]

7. Pelosi: "I'll have any suite I want."

Um, not sure that's going to win many supporters. We need people who are down to Earth, who understand their consituency, and who are willing to be a part of "We the People" instead of "You the People, We the Elite".

I, for one, have had enough of the waste and "Let them eat cake" attitude we've suffered under with the GOP leadership. We need change. I didn't much care for this remark, even if it was made in jest. It just doesn't set well.

[CTyankee]

11. Golly, out of all she said you singled THAT out?

She was led into that exchange fer cryin out loud. Let's concentrate on the merits of what she was saying, the needed changes she would help lead on. Let's not swat gnats.

[AndyA]

13. If she hadn't made that comment, it would have been great.

But yes, that remark to me was reminiscent of the country club set that we're stuck with now. A more appropriate comment would have been, "It doesn't really matter. We have lots to do, and I will do what needs to be done for the American people regardless of which office space I occupy."

[CTyankee]

15. well, nobody's perfect. OTOH, she made some terrific points

and I was,overall, thrilled with her statements. I think her "drain the swamp" imagery was perfect and her bullet points of action spot on. I am a big fan of hers. I think she'll make a wonderful speaker and, please god, let her succeed to the presidency once we get rid of the evil ones.

[Auntie Bush]

14. Golly gee! Let's nit pick her to death!

That's a really constructive comment!

[bif]

8. I love it!

[jilln]

10. The fact that she puts lobbyists/legislation number one is very telling...

It must be even worse than we think. And apparently that's a prerequisite for fixing everything else.

[Mad_Dem_X]

12. Go, Nancy!

It will be a fine day when she's Speaker...!

[conscious evolution]

16. It would take more than 100 hours

to frogmarch all the criminals in this administration into prison.!!!

[gulliver]

17. That's more like it!

Give people a positive image to visualize!

[cui bono]

18. how about...

Restore Habeus Corpus

Repeal the whole damn Torture bill

Pass legislation against presidential signing statements

Outlaw the term "unitary presidential"

oh and one more thing.... IMPEACH BUSH!!!

[chill_wind]

24. Now you're talking!! (excellent set of priorities, cb).

[leftofthedial]

19. it's not a swamp

it's a cesspool.

they should wear protective suits until the slime is removed.

[w4rma]

20. Beautiful. (nt)

[rodeodance]

21. think of the mud and smell left behind once the pudrid water is gone. Like

all the regulations Agency Rules that were changed-the EPA mess, the enviromental mess, Justice Dept (big one) the Labor Dept, Fema. the list will take 100 years---and many will probaby never go entirely.

[Tin Man]

22. Kudos. Dems need to vocalize a concise plan of action for positive change

it's not enough to simply hope we inherit the Congress from the imploding Repubs - voters need to hear a concise plan of action to effect positive changes under a Dem controlled Congress.

We need to hear much more of this msg between now and Nov 7.

K&R

[mcar]

23. But, but, the Democrats have no plan for anything

:sarcasm:

[sueh]

25. Nancy, here's something that should only take a few minutes...

void all of Chimpy's signing statements.

[conscious evolution]

28. Even better

Void EVERYTHING he has signed.

[lumberjack_jeff]

26. Right on. "First 100 hours" is our "contract with america"

It also happens to be in line with american attention spans.

[mmonk]

27. Good overall

but if we don't restore the constitutional restraints on unfettered power, I'll still be out there battling to restore the constitution.