Democrats plan to fight against Bush Administration with... Non-Binding Resolutions

[ck4829]

"Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, the new chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on CNN on Sunday that he did not believe Congress should “use the power of the purse” to halt the president’s plan and should go no further than approving non-binding resolutions opposing it.

While most Democratic leaders have not endorsed taking steps beyond seeking to pass non-binding resolutions opposing the troop increase, pressure has been mounting for the last week from opponents of the war for taking more direct and assertive action to block Mr. Bush."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/14/washington/15troopscnd.html?_r=1&ei=5094&en=ca5e605433444629&hp=&ex=1168837200&adxnnl=1&partner=homepage&adxnnlx=1168833745-wmh230n+esdmGR3MiOzX2w&oref=slogin

Democratic Leaders, I love you guys, but come on! Non-binding resolutions? I implore everyone here to ask the Democrats to wage total warfare against the Administration. They're in the majority now, they need to act like it! They can investigate the Administration, deny Bush's Judicial Nominees come to the committee for a vote, stop Bush's Agenda dead in it's tracks, and so much more, it's time to get serious and stop the Bush Administration.

[LiberalEsto]

1. Next step: water balloons at 10 paces

and then perhaps a brutal whipping with wet noodles.

I am still waiting for the Democrats to come up with a real plan to stop Der Fuehrer.

[katsy]

3. Don't hold your breath. n/t

[C_U_L8R]

5. Spitballs !!!!!

Zell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[htuttle]

2. "Non-Binding Resolutions"? Do they think they're the Madison City Council??

Hey Congresspersons -- you use non-binding resolutions for things you can't actually do anything about. As far as the President is concerned, however, Congress has a job to do!

[harveyw]

4. Our big problem is that most Dems with real power our PNACers

in Dem clothing. They are often the ones who are most outspoken against Bush on many issues EXCEPT ONE. They fool a lot of people because they champion issues dear to our hearts except where war and the ME are concerned they put the PNAC agenda above all else.

[OneBlueSky]

6. that's like arming your troops with blank cartridges . . .

makes a lot of noise, but accomplishes absolutely nothing . . .

[rodeodance]

7. me thinks the Dems are a bit to timid.

[TayTay]

8. Call your Senators and ask them to co-sponsor Kennedy's Bill

Ted Kennedy has submitted a bill to the Senate that calls for cutting off the funds for the surge. The following Senators have co-sponsored it:

Sen Boxer, Barbara - 1/9/2007
Sen Harkin, Tom - 1/9/2007
Sen Kerry, John F. - 1/9/2007
Sen Leahy, Patrick J. - 1/9/2007
Sen Menendez, Robert - 1/10/2007
Sen Sanders, Bernard - 1/9/2007

If your Senator is not on the list, get on the phone and ask them why. Tell them the surge is a bad idea that will get people killed and you want it stopped now.

This is the bill:
S.233
Title: A bill to prohibit the use of funds for an escalation of United States military forces in Iraq above the numbers existing as of January 9, 2007.
Sponsor: Sen Kennedy, Edward M. (introduced 1/9/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Latest Major Action: 1/9/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

[Habibi]

9. Suppose they didn't cut off funding

but insisted that it come from rolling back tax breaks for the rich?

[mmonk]

10. Why don't we just fart in their general direction?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. Profiles in.....courage?

[acmavm]

12. NOT THAT'S showing them damn repubs that the Democratic

Party has a spine!

[jarab]

13. Those things you mentioned are on the table

but cutting off funding isn't and should not be, imo.
From the moment it became effective, the Democrats in Congress would assume blame for all casualties.
We could suffer a monumental setback unprecedented.

All the other thinkable measures could be considered. Basically we could blackmail and hijack the resident's agenda, but it's more difficult to do to a lame duck. And, even moreso to an ignorant lame duck.

If only Dems could stick together like the other side does (most of the time). If only we could manipulate the media the way they do (most of the time). If only frogs had wings .....

I certainly hope the non-binding resolution isn't the highlight of the 100-hour agenda! If so, we're in some deep doo doo with "our" new congress.

...O...

[spanone]

14. Then they are complicit. Bush* has thrown the gauntlet. Defiant of congress & powers.

I think it's time to take the little shit to the woodshed.

A non-binding resolution will mean nothing to the dead people.

[EFerrari]

15. Is someone blackmailing Carl Levin? That's just nuts. n/t

[leftchick]

16. I think he has lost his mind

But you are right, those NSA wiretaps could be digging up some nasty shit on a lot of people too.

[EFerrari]

17. And CIA, per Cheney, looking into financial records.

They don't even have to really have anything on people but only produce the appearance of impropriety.

Levin is a very smart man. I just don't understand this.

[mmonk]

18. How about our votes being non-binding?

[Buzz Clik]

19. Just in case you thought anything would change with a Dem majority in Congress...

We're still acting like the minority party.

The question remains for the Democratic leadership: Do you have a plan?

[bridgit]

20. why don't they TP the WH, that would show him...

[Buzz Clik]

21. That would actually require some amount of bravery.

The first thrower of tp would be shot.

With non-binding resolutions, we don't even hurt anyone's feelings.

[bridgit]

22. ah yes, but of course...

:(