Thoughts on the new Super Congress

[DanaC]

*nods*

First time I ever really became aware of that kind of thing was when Thatcher was PM. There was a big problem with illegal raves...well, i say a big problem, it wasn't really. But it was big enough to catch the attention of authorities and media, and painted as one of the worst threats to child safety/morality and public order since ... I dunno, the last one....punk probably.

So a new law was written and all the whole while the debate was about the 'right to party' and the need to ensure these dangerous illegal raves dont corrupt our youth and lead them all to die horrific ecstasy deaths. But hidden underneath were fundamental changes to things like the right to assemble in peaceful protest *smiles* and the right of police to intervene and disperse groups, and to intervene anybody travelling 'in convoy'. And a bunch of other stuff along those lines.

Then my own party when in government, leapt all over the threat of terrorism to justify a frightening toolbox of security and policing measures, including putting the whole of Parliament Square undera kind of zoned security whereby protest is only legal with a permit, applied for in advance with route requested and a bunch of other details. So, only protests which have been approved by the authorities are legal.

And now here we are. A few nights of disturbance and we're straight back to the Big Book of Dictator Solutions again.

The internet bill in the States seems more of the same. Moral outrage or security panics just seem to get leapt on by the political elite (and wannabe elite) as a rationale to further erode civil liberties. I daresay there may be a balancing one way or the other, but it seems to cut across the political spectrum. Extremely worrying.

[Flint]

Now they're planning the crime of the century,
well what will it be?
Read all about their schemes and adventuring,
It's well worth a fee.

So roll up and see...
And they rape the universe...
How they've gone from bad to worse.

Who are these men of lust, greed, and glory?
Rip off the masks and let's see.
But that's no right--oh no, what's the story?
There's you and there's me.
That can't be right...

--Supertramp

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by chrisinhouston

First off, I am neither a Democrat or a Republican but an independent. I feel as though I am a centrist but I tend to be more conservative on fiscal issues and lean liberal on social ones.

This whole new Super Congress really bothers me; I even question whether it is constitutional or not. And I feel that the creation of this one to handle such important fiscal policy is a real dereliction of duty by all of the politicians who supported it's creation. Our legislators have a job to do. All of them. Together. If they can’t manage to do the job they were elected to do, and do it in accordance with the Constitution they are sworn to uphold, there will be a lot of incumbents booted out of office hopefully the next time around.

Here are other aspects that bother me:

12 individuals, 6 from each party and each group of 6 has 3 from the Senate and 3 from the House. That just seems to fly in the face of the demographics and the will of the people. I mean House and the Senate have never been divided equally; whether we like it or not one party ends up with a majority! And proportionately the Senate has 100 members and the House has 435 so how is 6 and 6 even remotely close to the Congressional structure.

And the whole concept that the party heads, Reid, McConnell, Pilosi and Boehner pick the members is nuts. Yet these 4 leaders who have failed so miserably in leadership are free to pick the committee members. How about the parties get to vote for the members? Or the members get to apply for the job and tell why they should be chosen, like maybe they can see beyond party politics and political gains and actually agree to work together for the good of the nation?

And then there is the makeup of the group. 11 men and 1 woman... 10 white people and 1 Hispanic American and 1 African American. So basically 9 white men and 3 minority members. What kind of representation is that? And what about the states they represent? Arizona, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan (x2), Montana, South Carolina, Texas and Washington. Eleven states of varying sized populations and demographics? And to top it all off, the 6 Republicans have all signed the Grover Norquist anti tax pledge. Oh, I'm just so sure these guys are going to really try to overcome preconceived ideology and work for the common good.

I just wish someone or some group would file a challenge to this whole concept and fast track it to the Supreme Court. ARGHAHHHHA

Well said....

[TheMercenary]

chris, more importantly why did Obama completely ignore the recommendations of the Debt Reduction Commission that he instituted to find solutions? And this was long before the Debt crisis our politicians created for us...

http://www.theitem.com/opinion/artic...cc4c03286.html

[chrisinhouston]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

chris, more importantly why did Obama completely ignore the recommendations of the Debt Reduction Commission that he instituted to find solutions? And this was long before the Debt crisis our politicians created for us...

Oh, I agree. Although I think Alan Simpson is a bit of a loose canon and his verbal rants didn't help the commission's plan of action. And I think they exceeded the mission of the commission by including Social Security which does not at this point add to the deficit in any way. It will need addressing but there are options for that and the commission's suggestions might have caught hold with SS left out.

[TheMercenary]

Now if we can just find someone with the balls to do it. This Congress and Obama sure don't have the guts to do what needs to be done.

[classicman]

... and the tea party idiots sure as hell aren't mentally capable.

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by classicman

... and the tea party idiots sure as hell aren't mentally capable.

Those folks are downright scarey. I sometimes visit the political forum on a mega board with about a zillion members. Lots of TP's post there and the venom and hatred is unbelievable.

[bluecuracao]

I was just thrilled to hear that Pat Toomey, the biggest jackass currently holding office in the state of PA (even bigger than the governor), is part of this ridiculous "Super Congress."

Apparently he was chosen because he's got a strong financial-finagling background. Problem is, he's a right-wing extremist who allows his personal religious beliefs to interfere with his decision making. Definitely not someone who should be representing our country in a "Super Congress" capacity.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by SamIam

Those folks are downright scarey. I sometimes visit the political forum on a mega board with about a zillion members. Lots of TP's post there and the venom and hatred is unbelievable.

And ignorance of facts.

[infinite monkey]

I'm waiting for the Super Duper Pooper Double Secret Congress. I've made up shirts already.

[ZenGum]

They've been in charge for years, Infi, but shush!

[infinite monkey]

No, can't be. I heard all these SDPDS Congresspeoples are going to be really good looking.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by classicman

... and the tea party idiots sure as hell aren't mentally capable.

They are neither the majority or do they control the direction of the House, as many want to make them out to be the big boggie man, it is bullshit. They are a minority. But their voting block threatens the status quo, and I think that is more frightening to the political scum that wants to hold on to power, hence the convenient target of the "tea party".... what a load of crap. The Dems are just afraid they will undo all the damage they have already done to our economy....

[classicman]

Although I agree with part of you post, it still doesn't change nor refute the point you quotes. The TPers really aren't all that bright, they are, however unified.