However, after only just 10 MONTHS on the job, they can't seem to handle the workload.
The House majority leader, Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, told fellow Democrats this week that the House would not be in session next year on Fridays, except in June for work on appropriations bills.
Explaining that decision to reporters, Mr. Hoyer said, “I do intend to have more time for members to work in their districts and to be close to their families.”
Hey, how's this, how about their families move to Washington DC? How about they have monthly or quarterly meetings in their districts so they can stay connected to their constituency? How about they set up a website with an email address and other contact information, so they can communicate openly with everyone? Nah, that would be too much wouldn't it?His comments drew snickers from Republicans, who are quite happy to share their view that the American people did not get much value for all the extra time lawmakers spent in Washington.
“Is this a reward for our accomplishments in 2007?” asked Representative Roy Blunt of Missouri, the Republican whip.
And of course he's right. They promised the world to American voters and now they aren't doing jack for them. They are giving them the "same old same old". And they will have a NASTY surprise in store for them come election time.
And on Friday, President Bush once again hammered Congressional Democrats, accusing them of failing to meet basic responsibilities like approving annual budget bills and confirming his nominee for attorney general, Michael B. Mukasey.
“This is not what Congressional leaders promised when they took control of Congress earlier this year,” Mr. Bush said. “Congress needs to keep their promise, to stop wasting time, and get essential work done on behalf of the American people.”
He's right on target again. Congress made many campaign promises such as ending the Iraq war, universal health care, and more. I can half way understand if they can't get some of these things done because of the way that Congress is set up to work, but for even a basic thing that they have complete control over, the 5 day work week, they can't even get that right.
The Democrats, by contrast, say that after 10 months of putting in longer days and weeks, they have made significant gains. They cited legislation, including an increase in the minimum wage and new ethics and lobbying rules, as well as in the nitty-gritty work of House committees, which they say has provided much-needed oversight of the Bush administration and will also set the stage for an ambitious agenda next year.
Yes, let's talk about that. The increase in minimum wage only went through because they tacked it onto a military spending budget that was desperately needed. The new "ethics and lobbying rules" don't change much of anything. In fact, in some areas, it loosened it up a bit.
And they blame Mr. Bush and Republicans for Congress’s low approval ratings, which they say will only help the Democrats expand their majority in 2008.
So they're blaming Bush for the fact they can't seem to work a 5 day work week? Of course, they are completely delusional in that they quote that this is Bush's fault, but internal memos show that to be factually incorrect:
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/internal-dem-memo-faults-party-message-2007-10-26.html“Our message sounds like an audit report on defense logistics,” wrote Dave Helfert, a former Appropriations spokesman who now works for Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii). “Why are we defending [the State Children’s Health Insurance Program] instead of advocating a ‘Healthy Kids’ plan?”
Because Democrats love to raise taxes on the successful to provide nanny state programs for the poor? How's that for a brutally honest answer? You're wanting to spend billions of dollars in making sure kids get health insurance, yet you don't do anything about promoting the health of the children, the core of the problem. Get them to exercise and eat right, most of the time, and these children won't need to see a doctor as often. They won't have a lot of the health problems that we see now.
Don't give them a pill to fix a problem that can be fixed with going outside and playing or riding their bikes. Parents should get on the ball about actually parenting. Give them nutritious foods, turn off the Xbox, get on their ass about homework. These things are what made previous generations great, there's no reason why it won't work the same way now.
“Everybody’s a message expert,” said one Democratic leadership aide. “The fact of the matter is Democrats are working hard to communicate our accomplishments. There is work to be done and that’s why Democrats are working together and mounting an aggressive campaign to discuss the real victories we have won for the American people.”
Ok, you have the floor. Name the accomplishments Democrats have made in the first 10 months of their control over both parts of Congress......that's ok....I'll wait.
As a case in point, he cited Democrats’ frustration over the likely showdown with President Bush over supplemental spending for the Iraq war. Democrats are discussing not sending a supplemental spending bill to the floor until Bush changes course on the war. But that makes many Democrats nervous that Bush will use the tactic to say Democrats aren’t supporting the troops.
“Are we any more prepared to deal with the threats that are going to come about cutting off funds to the troops?” asked the aide.
Violence in Iraq is down 70%. This is an indisputable fact. Yet, they are STILL trying to cut off the funds for soldiers in Iraq. Tell me how that is even fathomable. We've just handed off security of a province to the Iraqi's, are making great strides, yet they want to cut it off now. Then they have the gall to get upset when you call them on their "planning for surrender".
If they can't be bothered to actually read what's going on in Congress, these aides need to be fired. If you aren't doing your job correctly, you shouldn't have your job. I don't do my job right, I'm in the unemployment line, so there should be no reason why they can't read up on these things as well.
Travis
No comments:
Post a Comment