Obama's first failed appointment

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Redux

Nothing like writing a review of a movie or a play before the final act!

The first act has been written and performed.

Two weeks is the first act of a four year play?

Not in my theaters.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Redux

Two weeks is the first act of a four year play?

Not in my theaters.

No, the Demoncrats have controlled Congress for over 2 years. It has little to do with Obama at this point, other than his rubber stamp.

A 51-49 majority in the Senate for two years, with more minority (republican) filibusters than any time in history is not what I would describe as control.

[TheMercenary]

Come on now, you know it is not about numerical majority. It is about control over all committes, over all bills that come to the floor for a vote, you seem like a much more intelligent guy than that. Don't blow smoke.

Committee control is absolutely a benefit...but the number and content of bills that make it to the floor for a vote really doesnt matter if the minority has the numbers and uses parliamentary procedures to block their passage.

[TheMercenary]

The beauty of democracy I guess. It is a double edged sword.

The 111th Congress will be a far more objective measure to view the Democrats.

The House Dems are off to a shaky start (despite the lies or mischaracterization of Pelosi's new "rules")...the Senate Dems appear to be proceeding on the stimulus bill with a far more open mind and certainly not a rubber-stamp.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Redux

The 111th Congress will be a far more objective measure to view the Democrats.

The House Dems are off to a shaky start (despite the lies or mischaracterization of Pelosi's new "rules")...the Senate Dems appear to be proceeding on the stimulus bill with a far more open mind and certainly not a rubber-stamp.

Filled with pork and other bull shit social agendas, not economic stimulus and job creation and promised. There is no mischaracteriztion of what Pelosi and Reid have been doing for the last 2 years. They owned it before, they really own it now.

In fact, the Democrats. in one of their first acts under Reid and Pelosi, enacted the most comprehensive ethics and earmark reform in the last 20+ years.

It doesnt go far enough for me, but again, its a start and more than we saw from the Republicans.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Redux

In fact, the Democrats. in one of their first acts under Reid and Pelosi, enacted the most comprehensive ethics and earmark reform in the last 20+ years.

It doesnt go far enough for me, but again, its a start and more than we saw from the Republicans.

Really? Like this:

"The American people told us in the election that they expect us to work together for fiscal responsibility, with the highest ethical standards and civility.

"After years of historic deficits, this new Congress will commit itself to a higher standard: pay as you go, no new deficit spending. Our new America will provide unlimited opportunity for future generations, not burden them with mountains of debt.

Pelosi speech on 4 Jan 2007.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Really? Like this:

"The American people told us in the election that they expect us to work together for fiscal responsibility, with the highest ethical standards and civility.

"After years of historic deficits, this new Congress will commit itself to a higher standard: pay as you go, no new deficit spending. Our new America will provide unlimited opportunity for future generations, not burden them with mountains of debt.

Pelosi speech on 4 Jan 2007.

I would encourage you to read the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007.

As I said, its far from perfect and not nearly enough for me..but far more than any recent Republican Congress.

Thats a fact.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Redux

I would encourage you to read the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007.

As I said, its not enough for me..but far more than any recent Republican Congress.

Thats a fact.

So where is the transparency in Pelosi's behind the door construct of the most recent economic social savior program. She failed that completely. She should be brought up on charges for failure to abide by the Act.

I believe Pelosi and the Republican majority leader negotiated how the bill would proceed in the House, including the consideration of a number of amendments (from among the more than 200 proposed) from both sides of the aisle.

And the Appropriations process was as open as ever....I guesss you missed it on cspan.

I agree some of the social programs and earmarks are questionable, but IMO, some should remain...extension of payments to states for unemployment benefits, medicaid, etc..to assist the thousands every week who are losing their jobs.

[TheMercenary]

Guess you missed the headlines as well.

Pelosi Erases Gingrich's Long-Standing Fairness Rules
by Connie Hair

01/05/2009
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to re-write House rules today to ensure that the Republican minority is unable to have any influence on legislation. Pelosi’s proposals are so draconian, and will so polarize the Capitol, that any thought President-elect Obama has of bipartisan cooperation will be rendered impossible before he even takes office.

Pelosi’s rule changes -- which may be voted on today -- will reverse the fairness rules that were written around Newt Gingrich’s “Contract with America.”

In reaction, the House Republican leadership is sending a letter today to Pelosi to object to changes to House Rules this week that would bar Republicans from offering alternative bills, amendments to Democrat bills or even the guarantee of open debate accessible by motions to recommit for any piece of legislation during the entire 111th Congress

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30143&s=rcmc

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi implied that Republicans shouldn't expect to wield too much influence over the stimulus package. "Yes, we wrote the bill," she said. "Yes, we won the election." On This Week Pelosi told George Stephanopoulos that Republicans have had the opportunity to be included in crafting the stimulus bill. "Well, we will take some [of their ideas]," said Pelosi. "We will judge them by their ability to create jobs, to -- to help turn the economy around, to stabilize the economy, and to see how much they cost."

http://news.aol.com/political-machin...stimulus-bill/

No Earmarks?

U.S. News and World Report reports the stimulus package "has triggered a lobbying spree as potential recipients extol the advantages of specific projects, whether it be a new Tappan Zee Bridge in New York, a refurbished Interstate 70 to zip motorists across Missouri, or improved port and rail facilities in the San Francisco Bay area." One "key voice in what may wind up being a coast-to-coast rebuilding binge is Democratic Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee."

Meanwhile, The Hill reports Speaker Nancy Pelosi yesterday "vowed that there will be no earmarks in the upcoming economic stimulus bill that Congress and the incoming Obama administration are negotiating." On CNN's Late Edition, Pelosi said, "I can pledge to you that no earmark or any of that, any description you want to make of it will be in the bill that passes the House."

Roll Call reports, "They may not be called earmarks, but lawmakers are looking to write legislative formulas into the package to ensure that their districts share in the wealth and won't simply be at the mercy of Washington's bureaucracy or the nation's governors." House Majority Whip James Clyburn "is leading the effort, personally lobbying Obama, top Obama adviser David Axelrod and committee chairmen on the issue last week."

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politic...tin_090112.htm