Congress is at 14% approval? That's awful;

[leftyladyfrommo]

I wonder if these numbers have gotten anyone's attention.

And why is everyone so afraid of Bush? Or Rove? Really makes me wonder if they have a secret army of hitmen out there. Kind of like Brigham Young's Avenging Angels.

Can't anyone stand up to Bush? What the hell is the deal here.

[nancyr]

1. Maybe they're all owned by the same entitity?

They all seem to be spineless cowards, regardless of party.

[n2doc]

2. Well, if you toss the people who supported you in favor of those who never did

This is what happens. The 70% who want and end to the war and the 50+% who want Impeachment now aren't happy. And the 27%'ers who support W will never support a Dem congress no matter how much they prop up W. Dosen't leave much. 14% sounds about right for the DLC crowd.

[AndyA]

3. You'd think they'd be smart enough to understand this.

But I'm afraid they just don't comprehend how important it is to hold Bush/Cheney accountable. If they've done nothing wrong, fine. So be it. Investigate and announce that no laws have been broken. But if investigations reveal laws have been broken, we all know what Congress must do.

Anything less makes Congress an accomplice to the crimes committed by the Executive Branch. The Constitution demands that they perform checks and balances, and take appropriate actions.

[n2doc]

6. One thing that has driven me nuts is the reliance on testamony

I am really tired of Congress dragging in Repub staffers who then go "I don't know. I can't remember" and then nothing happens. Phooey. If they can't do a traditional investigation that does not rely on anyone providing honest testimony (happens all the time in the real world) then they should hire some people who can.
The evidence is out there.

[ellisonz]

34. In Soviet Russia...

they'd be shot:sarcasm:

:hide:

[realbluesky]

4. Deservedly so

The democrats have wanted to play politics and pass show-bills rather than do what they were elected to do. I am a life-long democrat, but I will not vote for anyone currently in office. They make me ashamed to be an American.

[Vickers]

5. Why would they make you ashamed to be an American?

Seems like Wee George and Tricky Dick would've had that all wrapped up for you beforehand...

Oh, and welcome to DU yadda yadda yadda...

[realbluesky]

7. Because we can expect that from the Republicans

Finally the American electorate woke up and decided to give the country a democratic majority in congress. The democrats have pissed it away because they are too cowardly to do the right thing. You're right, however, I was already ashamed by what the republicans had done. I guess I should have said I'm now ashamed to be a democrat.

[Vickers]

8. This is an odd place to be for someone ashamed to be a Democrat.

:eyes:

[realbluesky]

9. Maybe it's exactly the right place

All democrats need to wake up. We cannot reward cowardly behavior from our leaders by voting them back into office. They are taking their base for granted thinking they can to whatever they want and they will still get support. If we re-elect these cowards, then we become just like the republicans who follow lock-step with their leaders who have raped the country and looted the treasury.

[Vickers]

10. Yes, let's give up on this Grand Experiment and go back to Repuke rule...

That was working so well, wasn't it?

Some people tend to forget about the slim majority we have right now (and that in the Senate only because Codfish Joe chose to caucus with us).

Rome wasn't built in a day.

[realbluesky]

If you haven't noticed, Repuke rule continues

Electing a democratic majority did absolutely nothing to stop the war or do anything that would change course in this country. Don't tell me about a slim majority, that's just an excuse. Democrats took impeachment off the table, not republicans.

Can you imagine a prosecutor running for re-election and telling his constituents that he would not prosecute a known criminal because it was not politically expedient to do so?

Democrats could have continued to send the same funding bill or not send a bill at all to fund the war. They chose to cave in to an imbecile. It is now a democrat war rather than Bush's war. The blood of all future soldiers killed in Iraq is on the democrats' hands.

I believe you and I are on the same page, but see different things. My experience has been that if politicians are rewarded just because of party rather than their actions, then they will not change. There is not much more damage that can be done to America. The repukes have literally looted the treasury and you and I and our great grandchildren will be paying for it.

I am a Vietnam war veteran. I have heard all the excuses. I have used those excuses in the past. It has never helped. Somehow these politicians have got to learn to stand up for the people of this country and provide real progressive leadership. That will never happen if we continue to vote for the very people who betray our principles.

[realbluesky]

11. If you haven't noticed, Repuke rule continues

Electing a democratic majority did absolutely nothing to stop the war or do anything that would change course in this country. Don't tell me about a slim majority, that's just an excuse. Democrats took impeachment off the table, not republicans.

Can you imagine a prosecutor running for re-election and telling his constituents that he would not prosecute a known criminal because it was not politically expedient to do so?

Democrats could have continued to send the same funding bill or not send a bill at all to fund the war. They chose to cave in to an imbecile. It is now a democrat war rather than Bush's war. The blood of all future soldiers killed in Iraq is on the democrats' hands.

I believe you and I are on the same page, but see different things. My experience has been that if politicians are rewarded just because of party rather than their actions, then they will not change. There is not much more damage that can be done to America. The repukes have literally looted the treasury and you and I and our great grandchildren will be paying for it.

I am a Vietnam war veteran. I have heard all the excuses. I have used those excuses in the past. It has never helped. Somehow these politicians have got to learn to stand up for the people of this country and provide real progressive leadership. That will never happen if we continue to vote for the very people who betray our principles.

[Vickers]

15. "It is now a democrat war rather than Bush's war."

You reveal much with that one sentence...

[realbluesky]

16. By voting to fund it with full knowledge the statement is correct

So I don't get your point.

[calimary]

33. It just might possibly the use of the term "democrat war."

I don't know anything about a "democrat war." I don't know anything about the word "democrat" used - and used IMPROPERLY (and with ulterior motives) as an adjective. The proper way to say that would be "democratic war." Usage like "democrat war" connotes a subliminal put-down message through the distortion and perversion of the name of our party. It's usually a tipoff. Code.

People on the Dark Side refer to us as the "Democrat Party" in order to smack us around oh-so-subtly and under the radar. I, for one, refuse to be named by Dark Siders, or to wear the label they want to fuck up and tag me with. When I call the office of someone like mitch mcconnell or some other republi-CON schmuck, I ask those answering my call how their boss can EVER expect to reach concordance with those of us on the DEMOCRATIC side of the aisle if he or she can't even get our name straight.

That said, sometimes it's unintentional. Welcome to DU!

[realbluesky]

37. You are correct

My use of the word may have fallen into that category, but I just didn't feel there was anything "democratic" about the war. This was one man, one party, who decided years ago to invade Iraq and were just waiting for an opportunity. My feeling is that the democrats had the opportunity to not fund it, but caved and gave the imbecile everything he wanted. I appreciate your sentiments. Thanks for your welcome.

[realbluesky]

17. By voting to fund it with full knowledge the statement is correct

So I don't get your point.

[frylock]

18. i feel the same way..

and I've been posting on this board since 2002. What does that reveal about me? I'll tell you what's revealing; people who give Dems a free pass because they're Dems. Explain to me how that differs from the good folks over at FR who believe in their precious party, right or wrong?

[Vickers]

21. I'm not giving anyone a free pass, least of all the Repukes.

Saying the war is now the Dems is simplistic and simpleminded.

But hey, you knew that.

[realbluesky]

38. No need to get personal Vick

Calling someone simpleminded because they have a view that's different than yours is not very good way to sustain a reasonable discussion. The fact is that the democrats had the power and opportunity to not fund the war. They could have resubmitted the same bill or not submitted a bill at all. They chose to cave in to an imbecile. I have no respect for that. By voting to sustain a war that the American people do not support, they have taken the war upon themselves and have made it theirs. They are now just as responsible for the deaths of our soldiers as the repukes. I believe that is a reasonable argument. If you call that simpleminded, then I guess we have no basis for discussion.

[Vickers]

44. Not trying to get personal, Rea

I choose to see life as greys instead of the black and white demarcations favored by, um, er, some folks...:eyes:

[frylock]

19. well stated..

welcome to the board. :hi:

[brentspeak]

26. Karl, is that you?

You're not posting this on a .gov computer or a federally-paid-for computer, are you? That would be against the law.

[brentspeak]

24. Oh, yeah. You're a genuine "lifelong Democrat", for sure...

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

Enjoy your 'stay' here.

[realbluesky]

39. What's your problem Brent?

Do you have something you want to discuss? Are you calling into question my integrity because you disagree with something I've written? If you don't agree with me, let's discuss. Your attempt at a put-down does nothing more than belittle yourself.

[On the Road]

12. Approval on Congress Has Always Been Low

Notice that it's just been brought up recently, as if it were high under Republican leadership. I would rather see a historical trend before making any judgments.

What's driving it down now is that Republicans are dissatisfied with Democratic control and Democrats are mad at their own leaders.

[marlakay]

13. Follow the money...

it takes lots of money to run and stay in office these days and most politicians get special interest and lobby money...so they won't vote against anything their money people tell them not to...

sick country...until we take money out of the elections like Europe and Australia it will never change.

[realbluesky]

14. You are correct

Real campaign finance reform is the most important issue facing this nation. But I don't foresee anything being done. Like you said there's too much money and not one is willing to give up a dollar.

[Sparkly]

20. Both sides always have gripes with Congress.

The GOP thinks they aren't doing enough for them; Democrats think they aren't doing enough for them. Its bipartisan structure ensures people will always be dissatisfied, especially when things are going badly. And things are going really badly.

How would any of us answer a poll about "Congress?"

[zulchzulu]

22. People need to take Civics 101 again

Apparently, some people think that the war/occupation could be ended by Democrats merely walking into the Congressional chambers...and that's it. Nothing about legislation or getting a veto-proof majority. That's just too complicated to explain.

Why can't the Democrats just stop the war. Yunno, just stop it...like changing a channel on a remote. Flick the light, it goes off. Get in Congress, sit down at a desk and write it on a Post-It... "war's over in 10 seconds...9, 8, 7, 6, 5..."

There's this little complication called the democratic process. Wake up! Ready? OK, then there's this thing called votes. Keep your hand off that mouse! Then there's this thing called legislation. The "g" sounds like a "j". After me... "lej" "is" "lay" "shun". OK! That's enough for now... sorry to be too complicated...

[Egnever]

31. Well maybe you can give a lesson then

what would have happened if congress sent the bill back to his desk again instead of caving? Or better yet didnt send another bill back at all?

[ellisonz]

35. ...

1. A veto.
2. Chaos.

[realbluesky]

42. Who submitted a bill with no strings attached?

Perhaps the war cannot be ended by Democrats merely walking into the Congressional chambers, but they did more than that didn't they? They submitted a bill with no strings attached. They could have submitted the same bill the imbecile vetoed or no bill at all. But they caved into the moron and gave him everything he wanted. That's cowardice in my book.

[zulchzulu]

46. Without a veto-proof majority, you may as well write a bill saying the moon is cheese

It took until 1973 for the Vietnam War to finally start seeing an end...

June 19, 1973 - The U.S. Congress passes the Case-Church Amendment which forbids any further U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia, effective August 15, 1973. The veto-proof vote is 278-124 in the House and 64-26 in the Senate.

November 7, 1973 - Congress passes the War Powers Resolution requiring the President to obtain the support of Congress within 90 days of sending American troops abroad.

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1969.html

Until we get the votes, nothing is going to get accomplished except for incremental legislation leading to a veto-proof bill that stops the war. Anything less and Bush will simply veto it.

[gulliver]

23. Remember the Republicans are about half of Congress, so...

...they are rated low too. It's not like a Democrat Congress has a low rating and a Republican President has a low rating. Republican Congresspeople share the low rating of the Congress, and Republicans own Bush's low rating lock, stock, and barrel.

[snowbear]

36. That's what I was thinking too gulliver. ~~~ Lady from MO....

Remember...

1) We do NOT have Veto-proof majority.

2) Look at the asswipes in the White House!!!

3) Americans are TICKED off at Reid (etc.) right now. The good news is --- they have a second chance to get it right in 8 to 12 weeks.


If they don't get it right though.. yow..

But NO one in their right mind wants to go back to the days of Tom Delay, Duke Cunningham, Denny Hastert, Bill Frist, Bob Ney, Mark Foley, Rick Santorum, Senator Macacca,... etc, etc, etc...

=BARFOLA=

[ellisonz]

25. The American sheeple...

:rofl: :popcorn:

[brentspeak]

27. Where's your number coming from?

Hard to take you seriously when you don't even bother to cite a source for your "14%" figure.

[ebayfool]

32. I think this is it:

http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=27946

It's a Gallup Poll measuring 'great deal or quite a lot of confidence' ... with a very small telephone sampling of 1,007 adults.

It doesn't quite tell the full story though, such as who in Congress they aren't inspired by - Dem or Repub or a combination of both.
For example: how many are pissed at the GOP over the immigration issue (FR is screaming for impeachment to begin over that one!), how many are feeling unheard because either
a: they blame the Dems for not bodyblocking war funding/bringing them all home
or
b: they blame the repubs for backing the WH in escalating Iraq & blocking the Dems
or
c: & d: & e: ...

The numbers can't spell out who the public is pissed at or why, just that the public isn't very happy @ the current state of things. I see nothing @ who was polled - ie were they a preponderance of depressed Repubs, after losing their majorities? Who knows?

The only thing I see that jumped out at me?

Two institutions tested have confidence ratings in the 40% range -- the church/organized religion and banks.

Go figger that one out & let me know! :shrug:

[mvd]

28. The TV age has people listening to sound bytes too much..

and lacking in reason, as Gore says. We need to explain that the Repukes either block or veto anything that will help. Not that we shouldn't have kept up the pressure on the Repukes, but we must do all we can do in the media to say what is happening.

[realbluesky]

43. Who submitted a bill with no strings attached?

So what if the repukes veto? The democrats submitted the bill with no strings attached. They didn't have to do that. They became cowardly and afraid of losing their power, but, as usual, they underestimated the depth of anger about a war of choice of an imbecile. The democrats are now responsible for continuing the war. There is no backing away from that fact.

[calteacherguy]

29. And some people here think Bloomberg isn't a threat.

Go figure.

[sampsonblk]

30. Its all the fault of the evil far left!

They all fail to recognize the brilliance of caving in to Bush and giving back our mandate! Its all strategery and the far left is going to ruin it! /sarcasm

[FormerDittoHead]

40. I'd ask you to consider that those numbers are not an endorsement of conservative politics....

...but a WAKE UP CALL to our Congress to come back from the Right...

[Toots]

41. And why is everyone so afraid of Bush?..One word answer... Anthrax

Believe me there is real honest fear there. Anthrax is real and it really was sent to Democratic leaders by this bunch of thugs.

[antiimperialist]

45. Republicans in congress have a lower approval than Democrats in congress

In 100% of the polls that have asked about approval for both parties, instead of lumping congress as one compact entity.