Denial
December 12th, 2007 at 08:18pm Matt Margolis
Democrats like to talk a lot about there so-called agenda, and some Democrats, try to trump up an alleged record of accomplishment since their return to the majority.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, is one of those Democrats who seems to think the Democratic Majority is actually doing a good job, according to Politico, Hoyer said, “I don’t think you can really point to a failure that we have had in the House of Representatives in terms of legislative policy we wanted to pass.”
Oh, really? Another Politico story (by the same authors even) notes that “Democrats have had no substantive success in changing policy.” Even their “success” in raising the minimum wage wasn’t exactly what they wanted. They had hope for a clean bill raising the minimum wage, but had to settle for attaching it to a war supplemental bill in order to get it passed. It most likely would have died otherwise.
No matter how you look at it, Democrats haven’t accomplished much this year, and their incompetence and lack of leadership is showing… I don’t know what House Steny Hoyer is talking about, but it isn’t the same one the rest of the country is watching.
Entry Filed under: Congress, Democrats
26 Comments
1. Gozer the Carpathian | December 12th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Honestly, can anyone name anything the Dems have done besides the Minimum wage? Anything what so ever?
Oh, I know you can blame the why’s on the Republicans all you want and that’s fine. In the end what have they done?
2. plainjane | December 12th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Gozer the Carpathian | December 12th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Honestly, can anyone name anything the Dems have done
Rid the country of Gonzo and Scooter for starters.
President Bush for the second time vetoed the bipartisan bill that would provide health insurance to more children. But for oil rich Iraq and its children borrowed money is delivered by this President and neocons on pallets by the tons. Republican priorities are so screwed, one can only wonder what next they have in store for us.
Al-Qaida bombed buildings in Algiers. Isn’t it the Republican doctrine to begin war plans against Algeria?
3. liberalT | December 12th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Matt - you say this as if you don’t know exactly why they haven’t gotten anything accomplished. Everything is blocked by either Republicans or by a veto from Bush. Its true - Congress has done very little and Americans are pissed about it. But they are most pissed about Republicans in congress! And further they blame Bush for the vetos.
No matter though for Matt who just wants to write entry after entry
telling us why Republicans are always great and Democrats are always horrible. Its really sad actually Matt - its like talking to a 2nd grader
4. Matt Margolis | December 12th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
No matter though for liberalT who just wants to write comment after comment telling us why Republicans are always horrible and Democrats are always great. Its really sad actually liberalT - its like talking to a 2nd grader.
See how easy it is to make lame comments like that, liberalT? The Republican majority managed to pass tax cuts, No Child Left Behind, the partial birth abortion ban, etc. etc. So, blaming Republicans doesn’t exactly fly as a legitimate rebuttal.
5. Gozer the Carpathian | December 12th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
So Jane the only thing they’ve done is attempt to pass stuff but it gets Vetoed eh? That and remove a few republicans you don’t like. (Wait isn’t that all of them?)
And?
Again, give me something they’ve done. You can blame and cry and whine as to why things haven’t gotten done. The real question is what HAS been done. Take your time.
6. Casper | December 12th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
And all this time I thought De Nile was just a river in Africa.
7. Joe | December 12th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Matt,
First of all, I can’t believe you actually (tried) to post a comment back to someone. Usually, you seem to just do a fly by. Drop the post, then never come back and post. Mark comes back during the thread to debate a bit and I respect him for that. I hope you start to do the same.
Having said that, was that a “I know you are but what am I” comment? Or was that a “I am rubber you are glue…” reply?
Anyway… what part of this do you people not understand? The Democratic majority bring up a bill. They only have a 2 seat majority. The Repubs block every bill by requiring 60 votes and they will vote along party lines what? 90%? 95% of the time? How exactly are they supposed to get anything passed?
I know, you will compain saying how the Dems did it to the Repubs when the Dems were the minority, but it is a proven fact that it wasn’t NEARLY as often as what this minority is doing. You were mad at the Dems filibustering nominees. You guys are forcing cloture votes on EVERY bill that comes up.
Those bills that actually do get passed get vetoed. So what is there to do? How can anything get passed like this? Oh yes… we should do exactly what the Repubs want. That way we get the votes and no veto.
The Dems haven’t done much, but man it certainly isn’t from lack of effort.
The American people are not stupid. This will all change come 2008.
8. Gozer the Carpathian | December 12th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Not for lack of effort? Okay so the republicans have blocked all of the things they wanted. Name a few of them please. No seriously, I’d like to hear what they’ve tried to do besides what is it now? 68 “Non-Binding” resolutions on the war?
9. Magnum Serpentine | December 13th, 2007 at 1:58 am
There is only Two Reasons why the Demo-publicans have not gotten anything done. Its because one) the Demo-Publicans lack a spinal Cord. and Two) the Obstructionist Republicans have blocked or threatened to block everything including the Kitchen Sink.
10. keef--Not Cruisin--Yet!!! | December 13th, 2007 at 5:26 am
Gozer, your attempts at getting logic from plaindumbcowjane fall on deaf ears/blind eyes. She is our new “Wade.” Hit-and-run talking points, and no response to rebuttals. The cow comments, then the cow heads back to her Branch Bovinian complex in Whacko, TX.
btw, the Donkaroach congress had nothing to do with Libby or Gonzales.
Obstructionist Republicans have blocked or threatened to block everything including the Kitchen Sink.
Isn’t this rich? The Donkaroach lemmings claim that the GOP Congress of Bush’s first six years got nothing done, and deny all the obstructionism by Reidtard and Piglosi. However, when blessed with the same slim majorities enjoyed by the GOP, the lemmings cry “Obstructionism!” Goose/gander, anyone?
btw, Magnum, guys who claim they have “big snakes” are, for the most part, inadequate downstairs. So, unless you’ve purchased one of those strap-ons from your Adam & Eve catalog, you may want to change your nic…
11. TiredofLibBullShit | December 13th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Their greatest success has been passing non-binding resolutions, no confidence votes, renaming buildings and achieving sub-terrainian poll numbers.
With successes like that, they should sweep the competition.
12. Eric T | December 13th, 2007 at 7:58 am
The Democrats have been successful at creating record high oil prices by blocking offshore drilling.
The price is higher now than it was right after Katrina when there was a real shortage.
A NAFTA man or a guy that thinks a 100 dollar a barrel of oil is good for the economy may disagree with me, but you can have a good economy when the people of this country can actually go to the store and buy something with there paycheck, instead of giving it to OPEC.
13. neocon | December 13th, 2007 at 8:53 am
The MoveOn.org candidates have not accomplished anything constructive, mainly because they have a destructive agenda.
They have to incessantly pander to the fringe left or risk being cut off from the Soros money train. Just ask Lieberman.
It’s shameful, but yet you have to hand it to Soros, he has masterfully found two useful idiots in Reid and Pelosi to do his dirty work. Unfortunately for them, in doing so, they have completely ruined their careers and reputations.
14. Eric T | December 13th, 2007 at 9:32 am
The MoveOn.org congress not only blocked any new drilling bills. They increased the royalty payments on the leases. Raising the cost for the oil companies, who in turn raise the prices for their customers. If you keep up with the market news, you’ll see traders are hedging against the falling dollar by buying crude futures, that pushes the oil price up and our dollar down. Is the idea is to push it up to $150 a barrel this summer? I hope not. I think it is wrong that the market rallies when Nigeria kidnaps, or attacks oil workers, or blows up pipelines to drive the price up. Our Wall St. guy reward this kind of behavior by pushing the price even higher. A free market will find a way around high priced oil. I will be first in line for the electric cars and hybrids that run on biomass or any good alternative. Mike Huckabee’s view on energy Independence is the RIGHT answer to the problem. I noticed “Mittens” is now including alternative energy in his material. Rudy mentioned it in the debate but his firm lobbied to block that energy bill they were trying to pass in congress and that is directly against what he is saying.
15. DM | December 13th, 2007 at 9:41 am
“Everything is blocked by either Republicans or by a veto from Bush.” – liberalT
And yet there were numerous times in history where other Congresses were able to secure accomplishments by successfully employing the art of negotiation. All you’ve shown by your statement is that THIS Democrat Congress lack skills other Congressional Majorities have previously shown.
“…but it is a proven fact that it wasn’t NEARLY as often as what this minority is doing.” – Joe
Perhaps Joe, it’s because the Democrats haven’t put forth legislation that was deemed largely beneficial to the people. Why would Republicans support issues like gay marriages, gun control, abortion on demand, walking away from their responsibilities in Iraq, etc… ? So I guess what you’re really saying is the Democrats aren’t serious about “working together” or providing real legislation.
16. Joe | December 13th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
DM —
Why would Republicans support issues like gay marriages, gun control, abortion on demand…
I’m sorry did I miss when the Democratic Congresstried passing those bills? Maybe those were only in your dreams. Why are you making things up? If I remember correctly, those are issues that the REPUBLICAN Congress tried dealing with.
We are talking about Stem Cell Reseach that was passed by both Dems AND Repubs yet vetoed. We are talking about the SCHIP that was vetoed AGAIN. Energy bills, etc.
It is only the Repubs and you clowns on this site that insiste on talking about Gay marriage, abortions and gun control. The Dem Congress hasn’t done anything of the sort. That is just the boogieman that you people use to scare others.
17. DM | December 13th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Joe,
Do you know how many times President Bush has exercised the veto? I wonder if you’ll find another President in modern times who’s used it less.
Seems like the Democrats in congress have a hard time just getting out the required appropriation bills that are still languishing in the House and Senate. From what I understand this is the latest any congress has been to get out even 1 appropriation bill. Why is that? Why were they spending so much time on non-bind resolutions? What bills have they tried to move through congress that hasn’t also been tied to a major deal breaker?
As I told liberalT, most every other congress has had the same issues in front of them to pass bills. It’s a series of negotiations, give and take, stepping stones approach to get to your desired position. The Democrats in congress either don’t have those skills or aren’t interested in real accomplishments. Save your hatred of Republicans and Conservatives along with your lame excuse for the Democrats failures to show results.
18. Eric T | December 13th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
joe
Once in a while I’ll hear about democrats doing something to help the people. Recently Carl Levin opened an investigation or credit card companies ripping folks off. Chris Dodd looking into helping people avoid foreclosure on their homes. This the kind of stuff thats helps people is good. The hard core will say this stuff gets in the way of free enterprise, but thats why the government is there, to save people when corporate greed rears its ugly head, and starts cannabalizing the poor.
But it can get carried away and go past helping out. The dems just tried to tie a hate crimes bill for homosexuals to a troop funding bill. Its got nothing to do with the troops. It was in the newspapers but buried kinda deep, not front page with big headlines. Ted Kennedy recently tried to ban all centerfire ammo, which is just about every caliber other than 22 rimfire. That would have destroyed hunting, competition shooting, recreational shooting: forever. The dems try to sneak these things in, we have to make sure there are more or an even amount of republicans (true to their core values) to make sure this stuff don’t get passed. Bad legislation usually starts with Ted Kennedy.
19. Ricorun | December 13th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Eric T: Bad legislation usually starts with Ted Kennedy.
I nominate this as the best one-liner of the season. I’m tacking it up on my refrigerator.
20. SEW | December 13th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
The Dems can’t even negotiate with fellow Dims or Republicans. Yet they feel they are capable of negotiating with Iran and Hamas? Fortunately for them Dubya disarmed Iran in 03 according to the latest NIE, and North Korea in 07.
21. Joe | December 13th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
DM,
I do know. He has vetoed 8 bills (maybe 9 now that he has vetoed SCHIP yet again). Just 1 of those prior to 2007.
How many veto THREATS? As of Dec 11, 80 veto threats. 64 since May 1st. His previous high was 22 in 2003.
http://home.ourfuture.org/presidental_veto_watch.html
How many cloture votes have been forced by Congress? 56 as of Nov 16. 132 projected.
http://home.ourfuture.org/filibuster.html
Read the just the last cople of pages of this report to see how many got 50+1 votes, but are getting blocked.
http://home.ourfuture.org/assets/obstruction-by-filibuster.pdf
And one more thing DM… you still didn’t answer the question.
You insinuated that the Dem bills getting blocked are “Why would Republicans support issues like gay marriages, gun control, abortion on demand“. Like I said, the Dems never tried putting anything of the sort out there. That was the Repubs of a year or two ago.
22. Eric T | December 14th, 2007 at 8:11 am
JOE
12/10/07
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Congress on Thursday decided not to expand the hate-crimes bill to include attacks on gays, after it became clear that the provision, which was attached to the controversial Iraq war funding bill, wasn’t going to survive a vote in the House.
Lawmakers decided not to push for the approval of the measure, authored by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), so they could proceed with a bill that allocates $150 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and provides guidance on how to implement U.S. military programs.
23. Eric T | December 14th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Joe-
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
You’d think that when rabid, anti-gun legislators like Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy join together to pass anti-gun legislation, it would raise a few red flags.
But these two New York Democrats are currently planning to roll over gun owners with H.R. 2640 — legislation which would bar you from owning guns if:
* You are a battle-scarred veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; or
* As a kid, you were diagnosed with ADHD.
Not to mention the fact that your ailing grandfather could have his entire gun collection seized, based only on a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s (and there goes the family inheritance).
Gun owners have been desperately fighting this bill for several months. You will remember that it passed in the House with an unrecorded voice vote in June and was later passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee — also without a recorded vote.
Sen. Schumer is pushing hard to pass this legislation — dubbed the Veterans Disarmament Act — so he is circulating an “agreement” which would waive the Senate rules in order to bring up and pass the bill.
This agreement could come about in the next few hours or the next couple of days!
This agreement is extremely diabolical, as it would eliminate the ability of pro-gun senators to offer amendments which would clean up the legislation… and would grease the skids for immediate passage!
But there is good news: In order for Schumer’s “agreement” to prevail, he must get “unanimous consent.” This means that just ONE single senator can block it.
ACTION: Please contact your two U.S. Senators RIGHT AWAY and urge them to OBJECT to Senator Chuck Schumer’s “unanimous consent agreement” to steamroll H.R. 2640, the McCarthy anti-gun bill.
24. DM | December 14th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Thanks Eric - The things you pointed out represent only a small portion of the socialization and government control the liberals are trying to force on us, often times in a very deceitful manner.
Yet Joe can’t seem to grasp that this is happening, as blatant as it is. Gay marriages, gun control, abortion on demand are only a few of the bed rock issues in the Democrat party platform. Seems like logic would dictate that either A.) They are going to push their primary agenda’s or B.) They’re not true to their cause and hove no business being in the positions they hold.
But true to the topic, you are in “DENIAL”, just like those you defend.
25. Joe | December 14th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Eric T,
Did you actually read anything about that “anti-gun legislation”?
—– Notice the website—-
http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?id=219&issue=018
“Some pro-gun groups have claimed that H.R. 2640 would “prohibit” thousands of people from owning guns. This is not true; these bills would only enforce current prohibitions. In fact, H.R. 2640 would allow some people now unfairly prohibited from owning guns to have their rights restored, and to have their names removed from the instant check system.”
For your other comment about the hate crimes legislation, that was for HATE CRIMES. It has nothing to do with gay marriage. There is a distinct difference.
26. Eric T | December 14th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Joe
I got that of GOA not NRA. Thanks, I’ll check that out, my younger brother got thrown in jail and can’t own firearms anymore. Having his rights restored would be great. We used to always go shooting, He is getting into playing guitar/drums more since he lost the gun rights but wants them back.