Congress' embarrassing moment

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I don't care if you are a Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative, this is the most embarrassing thing I have seen in our legislature ever. They should all stand up and apologize to the American people. Add this to my list of why I will not be voting for any incumbents in November.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/03/AR2007080300878_pf.html

[scfire86]

It took you this long? I've been embarassed by the Congress since 1994.

[DianeC]

Add this to my list of why I will not be voting for any incumbents in November.

You need to wait until next November to vote for your Rep's... :D

Either way, the situation is going to be interesting to follow...Glad I don't work on the Hill anymore!

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

You need to wait until next November to vote for your Rep's... :D

Either way, the situation is going to be interesting to follow...Glad I don't work on the Hill anymore!

No. I mean incumbents anywhere. Remember the NJ Tax Reform mess? Despite overwhelming messages that the citizens of this state wanted a Constitutional Convention to radically change the way property taxes are figured (my new property tax bill is over $11,000), they formed a special committee that came up with 20 or so recommendations on how to reduce taxes. The idiots in Trenton rejected every single one of them. But they are patting themselves on the back and declaring tax reform. Why? Because they are sending everybody an approx. 10% rebate check on their property taxes (based on your income). The problem? They really aren't sure exactly where the money is coming from. It's also only for this year. Idiots.

[GodSendRain]

Seems like when I was in grade school, we couldn't go to recess until our work was done.

I wonder if we could apply that to big kids on Capitol Hill.

[HotTrotter]

It took you this long? I've been embarassed by the Congress since 1994.

Well, in the last year things have really gone down hill.

[DaSharkie]

It took you this long? I've been embarassed by the Congress since 1994.

Never had much faith in the twit politicians regardless of party in "control."

As I have said before - Elected officials have no interest in helping the average citizen of this nation.

[scfire86]

Well, in the last year things have really gone down hill.
I agree. There are more congressman under investigation at one time than I can remember. Wanna bet on which party they belong?

I predict Cunningham will have plenty of company before it's all over. They'll have their own caucus inside the hoosegow.

[HotTrotter]

I agree. There are more congressman under investigation at one time than I can remember. Wanna bet on which party they belong?

I predict Cunningham will have plenty of company before it's all over. They'll have their own caucus inside the hoosegow.

The way it is going, I think they will all be under some sort of investigation before long. :rolleyes: Really a sad state of affairs.

[DaSharkie]

I agree. There are more congressman under investigation at one time than I can remember. Wanna bet on which party they belong?

I predict Cunningham will have plenty of company before it's all over. They'll have their own caucus inside the hoosegow.

We can opnly hope. Senator Stevens from Alaska and Rep. Jefferson from Lousisiana can complete their terms in the can. Good place for a career politician if you ask me. Right next to former North Carolina House Speaker Black - took bribes and is now serving 5 years federally with possible state time on top of that.

Like the old saying goes, every politician serves 2 terms - 1 in office, 1 in jail.

[KyleWickman]

Holy Crap George over $11,000? My taxes are now at $6,800. I don't even have a 1/3 acre. Just a 57 year old house with 3 beds and 2 bathrooms. But hey, can't wait for that homestead tax rebate of what? $800. :rolleyes:

My dad used to live in Mendham. His taxes were about half my years salary.

[ThNozzleman]

It's amazing that only recently have the righties here started bitching about congress. You didn't hear a word about low congresional approval levels until a few weeks after the Democrats took over.

[scfire86]

It's amazing that only recently have the righties here started bitching about congress. You didn't hear a word about low congresional approval levels until a few weeks after the Democrats took over.
That is a very good point. What I've observed over the years is that while people may not like congress, they like their congressman. And that is why incumbents continue to get elected.

[GodSendRain]

It's amazing that only recently have the righties here started bitching about congress. You didn't hear a word about low congresional approval levels until a few weeks after the Democrats took over.

I think the "righties" are complaining about both Congress and the President's poor performance at the moment. The thing is, we're not just hearing it from the righties. This is a good sign that all Americans are fed up with the government in general. We're finally getting somewhere. :D

[HotTrotter]

It's amazing that only recently have the righties here started bitching about congress. You didn't hear a word about low congresional approval levels until a few weeks after the Democrats took over.

That's because up until that time the congress was doing a decent job. ;) :D Do you really think it is a coincidence that the democrats took over tan the approval rating fell?

[DaSharkie]

It's amazing that only recently have the righties here started bitching about congress. You didn't hear a word about low congresional approval levels until a few weeks after the Democrats took over.

Now come on Noz. I have frequently heard Congress' approval ratings being pretty low, back to the early part of the decade. Though it has been made more vocal in the media lately.

Having recently relocated back to the People's Republik of Taxachusetts I cannot say that I am happy about any of my congressmen. I have Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Marty "I'll only serve 2 terms (but really di how many?)" Meehan, John "I've been in congress since the dawn of time" Olver.

Not a one has done a whole lot for the state. But so long as they have a D after their name or their name is Kennedy or Kerry they have a job for eternity.

We get the government deserve......er, I mean elect.

[scfire86]

That's because up until that time the congress was doing a decent job. ;) :D Do you really think it is a coincidence that the democrats took over tan the approval rating fell?
Yet another statement proving you are clueless.

[ThNozzleman]

Now come on Noz. I have frequently heard Congress' approval ratings being pretty low, back to the early part of the decade. Though it has been made more vocal in the media lately.
The point is only recently have the rightwing talking heads begun to focus on the poor approval ratings of congress as a whole. The Democrats have only had narrow control for a short period of time and face veto on every change they want to make, and the rightwing noise machine is already blabbing about their being a "failure".
That is a very good point. What I've observed over the years is that while people may not like congress, they like their congressman. And that is why incumbents continue to get elected.
Good assessment. I just chalked it up to frustration, denial, and desperation of the right after losing control of Congress. While control of Congress is important, losing the judiciary to a bunch of righties who carry the cross in one hand and a sword in the other worries me much more.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

It's amazing that only recently have the righties here started bitching about congress. You didn't hear a word about low congresional approval levels until a few weeks after the Democrats took over.

Bob, I have been bitching about Congress for a long time. I don't give a dman about anybody's approvial levels. My chief complaint right now actually has nothing to do with the Democrats. My party failed me. My party abandoned the core values that helped them win majorities in both houses. My party has refused to listen to the pleas of the Republican voters to start doing what they were elected to do. My Pres. has failed me with an embarrassing stance on immigration and an inability to effectively handle the responsibility of being the Commander in Chief of the military.

My chief complaint is that my party squandered an opportunity that so may worked so hard for. The Democrats will win 2008. They will gain larger majorities in both houses. And when the post mortem begins, all the Rep. members of congress have to do is look in the mirror for who to blame.

[DaSharkie]

The point is only recently have the rightwing talking heads begun to focus on the poor approval ratings of congress as a whole. The Democrats have only had narrow control for a short period of time and face veto on every change they want to make, and the rightwing noise machine is already blabbing about their being a "failure".

And it is up to the controlling party to educate the people. I have yet to see that happen. Nancy Pelosi promised a more open Congress and to accomplish a long list of things in the first 100 days. Haven't seen that happen.

At least she is sticking to her word on not impeaching Bush. Not that he is not a twit, but I think she realizes that it will do absolutely no good in the long run, and he is out in a year.

Also recall that the Democrats may have a narrow control (as you mentioned) but they also have a very large new influx of Freshmen legislators who are not going to march in lock-step with her and the party controllers. They seem to actually be listening to the electorate. What a novel concept. She faces fights from within her own party, as well as from the Republicans. Whether this will continue to be remains to be seen.

Good assessment. I just chalked it up to frustration, denial, and desperation of the right after losing control of Congress. While control of Congress is important, losing the judiciary to a bunch of righties who carry the cross in one hand and a sword in the other worries me much more.

Unfortunately, both parties court the extremes of their party stances. The Dems go to the extreme of the Left and Republicans go to the extreme right. They have to show what they have done to their party mebership and contributors.

Meanwhile, people leave both parties in droves and become disenchanted with their elected officials. Doesn't matter, either side is just as willing to screw over the individual as the other.

[scfire86]

Unfortunately, both parties court the extremes of their party stances. The Dems go to the extreme of the Left and Republicans go to the extreme right. They have to show what they have done to their party mebership and contributors.

You're absolutely correct. In CA the legislators were allowed to draw their own districts during the last redistricting. That was giving the keys to vault to a bank robber. Out of 173 elected officials, only one seat has changed parties since that happened. And the GOP who lost is almost being indicted.

There is discussion to put that effort into a more non-partisan group next time. How that is going to be defined is anyone's guess.

[DaSharkie]

You're absolutely correct. In CA the legislators were allowed to draw their own districts during the last redistricting. That was giving the keys to vault to a bank robber. Out of 173 elected officials, only one seat has changed parties since that happened. And the GOP who lost is almost being indicted.

There is discussion to put that effort into a more non-partisan group next time. How that is going to be defined is anyone's guess.

Job security. And these political hack, twit, useless buffoons wonder why people do not care about them. They enjoy it. It is easier to be elected to keep your seat so you can keep screwing people if fewer of them vote.

[neiowa]

It took you this long? I've been embarassed by the Congress since 1994.

Yes it is a shame so many dems were sent to Congress from CA. You voted for whom Waxman? Condit? Stark? Lantos?Dellums? Pelosi? Woolsey? Martinez? What a bunch of O2 thieves. No I'll bet you went for Maxine Waters, right up your alley.

[scfire86]

Yes it is a shame so many dems were sent to Congress from CA. You voted for whom Waxman? Condit? Stark? Lantos?Dellums? Pelosi? Woolsey? Martinez? What a bunch of O2 thieves. No I'll bet you went for Maxine Waters, right up your alley.
Hey cornfed. My congressman is Dana Rohrbacher (R-Nutcase). You'd like his statements about supporting our troops. When confronted by a bunch of war protestors detailing the hardships of our men and women in uniform his response, "did they volunteer?"

On the other side of the aisle we have two and possibly three GOP congressmen in CA that are currently under investigation by the FBI for any number of alledged crimes. And that doesn't count "Duke" Cunningham (R-Thief) who is already serving time for bribery charges.

Then out in the IE we have GOP Christian Coalition Ken Calvert (R-Hypocrite). He got caught getting with a known prostitute on Thanksgiving Day while his family was home waiting for him. He claimed he was just giving her a ride home. He was chased down after he fled the scene.

Now what was your question again?