And What Has the Democratic Majority Done?
April 30th, 2008 at 09:44am Matt Margolis
President Bush faulted the Democratic Congress for having done absolutely nothing about the the economy, energy, and housing bills.
“Many Americans are understandably anxious about issues affecting their pocketbook,” Bush said in a White House news conference, held outdoors in an unseasonably cold and windy Rose Garden. “They’re looking to their elected leaders in Congress for action. Unfortunately, on many of these issues, all they’re getting is delay.”
Capitol Hill’s Democratic leaders said Bush was to blame for proposing policies that would worsen the problem, not help, and that it was their duty to reject them.
“His call this morning for Congress to act is disingenuous at best,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said of Bush. “Whether on energy policy, the housing crisis or our many other economic woes, this administration and its Republican allies in Congress offer nothing but the same failed ideas that got us into this mess in the first place.”
Perhaps Harry Reid is too senile to realize this, but the Democrats are the majority party at the moment, so blaming Bush and the Republicans for no forward movement on those issues is just passing the buck when they’re the ones in control. Democrats claimed they would be leaders, but they’ve spent more time as the majority party in front of TV cameras than doing their job. Democrats have proven repeatedly that they are too incompetent to lead, and they try to compensate for their own failures by blaming Bush and the Republican Party.
Entry Filed under: Congress, Democrats
33 Comments
1. Diana Powe | April 30th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Aww, Matt. You make this too easy! Congress can pass all the legislation it wants but, as we’ve seen since the change of control in November 2006, President Bush suddenly learned about using the power of the veto. Do the Democrats have a veto-proof majority? No. However, should there be an admittedly unlikely run of good fortune, the coming Democratic gains in Congress this fall will give them a veto-proof majority.
All is not totally lost, however. Despite the President stamping his feet and lots of scare-mongering from the Director of National Intelligence and the RNC, the Democrats did call the Presidential bluff on extending the execrable Protect America Act of 2007 with its historically unprecedented gift to the telecoms of retroactively immunizing their assistance with Administration law-breaking. That said, I do fault the Democrats in Congress for failing to use the power of the purse to force setting a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.
No, the President is just being petulant because, for once, he’s not getting absolutely everything his way. Of course, if he were genuinely interested in taking action on some of these problems he could do something other than just insist that Congress rubber-stamp his notions. So, he criticized Congress. Like what? He was going to praise them? Can you say “slow news day”?
2. SEW | April 30th, 2008 at 10:52 am
“with its historically unprecedented gift to the telecoms of retroactively immunizing their assistance with Administration law-breaking.”
Of course the Dems get more money from trial lawyers than the combined gifts of Big Oil, Big Pharma, big whatever to both parties. Of course, telecom deep pockets need to be redistributed to Big Dems and trial lawyers. That’s the DemocratIC way.
What happened to the 06 campaign promises? Nada, nothing, zero. Another do nothing Dem Congress. Except for the recession and higher gas prices, they have done nothing. But the parrots here have short memories.
But we have Barry and his collection of friends to look forward to. Racist and America haters. Change and Hope.
3. Diana Powe | April 30th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Ah, yes. The “trial lawyer” boogey-man rears his ugly head to avoid talking about the rule of law. However, as anyone who wasn’t a committed Administration defender would acknowledge, the lawyers suing the telecoms are the “big money” lawyers of the non-profit Electronic Frontier Foundation. They stand in opposition to the campaign contributions from and lobbying of people like Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and supporter of retroactive immunity, by the telecom companies themselves.
Hey, SEW, how are the Democrats supposed to override a presidential veto? Should they storm the White House and take George W. Bush hostage? Nope, as I said, Mr. 28% is just being petulant.
4. SEW | April 30th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Amazing how everything is Bush’s fault to parrots. Even the Obama Wright show is Bush’s fault according to Dennis. Katrina was Bush’s fault according to talking point DP.
And the rule of law. So DP, give us your list of those that have had their privacy violated. Zero, nada, none.
5. Democratic » And Wh&hellip | April 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today on And What Has the Democratic Majority Done?Here’s a quick excerptPresident Bush faulted the Democratic Congress for having done absolutely nothing about the the economy, energy, and housing bills. “Many Americans are understandably anxious about issues affecting their pocketbook,” Bush said in a … [...]
6. Observer | April 30th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I contend it’s totally intentional and planned.
Reid is willing to sacrifice a do nothing congress today for long term gains tomorrow.
Just go back to the debate testimony during the FISA hearings and you will see about 15 Dems with the exact same talking points when they were on the floor because they all got the memo
1) Bad Republicans blocking everything
2) we need veto proof majorities to get our agenda done
3) we need a Dem in the White House
In the mean time all that will be offered is over the top stuff to fire up their base that they know will not pass and there will be next to zero compromise.
All that will be passed is the absolute minimum to keep the wheels turning
7. Danish Artist | April 30th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Campaign issues are more important than the people.
Why would the libs solve any problem if they could use is as a platform. Without these liberal self induced problems, they would not have a platform to run on. Just look at how empty Kerry’s platform was.
Since liberal policies and politics created these problems, they need a scapegoat - Republicans - once a Democrat gets into office the problems magically ignored errrr, disappear. This is what happed just after Clinton took office.
The issue empty libs need something to run on, who cares if we suffer. They need to be in power more than they need to solve problems.
What legislation have they proposed anyway, besides wealth redistribution?
8. Jeremiah | April 30th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Aww, Matt. You make this too easy!
Yes, Diana Powe, it’s way too easy to figure out how much the Democratic Congress has accomplished.
How much? Can’t think of anything, but, that’s good in a way … it’s what they will accomplish that’s scary. I don’t find it the least bit amusing though that you would try and stand up for their insane policies … not one of them has anything worth offering that would help this country. No, about the only thing I see they will accomplish if they get control is destroy this country…Clinton,Kennedy, Obama, Schumer, Pelosi, and all the rest of them are a recipe for disaster, I tell you, Disaster!!!
9. Danish Artist | April 30th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Perfect example: 2006, they ran on bringing the troops home!
What did the propose?
No confidence votes, unbinding resolutions, etc. etc.
Empty promises from empty minds and the idiots fall for them time and again.
Their policy has been to make the political atmosphere favorable to a Democrat, nothing more.
10. Matt Margolis | April 30th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
And what legislation that had addressed the housing crisis and high energy costs have the Democrats passed this year that President Bush vetoed?
Come on Diana, you make this too easy!
The Republican majority didn’t have a filibuster-proof majority, yet they managed to pass very significant pieces of legislation with bipartisan support. including Bush’s tax cuts, the Patriot Act, No Child Left Behind, and others Democrats hate with the passion on the campaign trail. So, it’s not merely about party numbers and veto-proof majorities. When true leadership exists, as was the case with the Republican majority, legislation can be passed with bipartisan support. Sadly, the Democrats have absolutely no leadership abilities, and therefore have no accomplishments they can point to.
11. Just Another Taxpayer | April 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Bush, being an oil man, is either a fool or a liar.
Refinery capacity in the US is running at post Katrina levels because the cost of petroleum has gone up 80% in the last 12 months while gasoline has increased only 41%.(Check out CNNMoney “Update:Gasoline Refiners Slow Output Rate to Katrina Level Lows.”
The oil companies are actually keeping the price down below what their expenses say they should be charging. “Many Refineries are operating at the brink of loss” and see little way out of the problem. If they increase output, they’ll lose more money on refining operations. If they increase price to meet the their expenses and make a profit, they’d be charging $5.50-6.00 a gallon, and kills its market altogether. Either way, Congress gets its nose into it.
While the oil co’s obviously profit fom the production and transport of crude, expanding refining operations does provide the market leverage necessary for bring down the price of gasoline for the short or long term.
Bush should know better, and I suspect he does. This is just part of the PR blitz he’s going to run for the last few months of his term to take attention from his part in the formulation and execution of failed policies that have brought the economy to its knees.
Blaming others for his failures is just about the only thing Bush has been consistently successful at.
12. Just Another Taxpayer | April 30th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Correction to paragraph 4, line 2 of pervious post
expanding refining operations does NOT!!!! provide the market leverage necessary for bringing down the price of gasoline for the short or long term.
13. RickRoll | April 30th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
“Since liberal policies and politics created these problems, they need a scapegoat - Republicans - once a Democrat gets into office the problems magically ignored errrr, disappear. This is what happed just after Clinton took office.”
Riiiight….Remind me again who was in control of Congress, Senate and House during those years.
14. OhioOrrin | April 30th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
just another taxpayer - increased refinery efficiency would lower costs eg - standardize clean air formulations across all 50 states.
sometimes lazze fair interstate commerce enforcement isn’t in the best national interest.
15. Danish Artist | April 30th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
“Riiiight….Remind me again who was in control of Congress, Senate and House during those years.”
Uh, Ricki, when Clinton took office the libs had the lock on the White House, the House and the Senate. I don’t know what your thinking about but the Republicans did not control the House until 1995 and the Senate until 1997.
Magically, we stopped hearing about the “worst economy in 50 years” (even thought libs controlled the House for 40 of them.) once Clinton raised his right hand.
Too easy.
16. Diana Powe | April 30th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Significantly damaging pieces of legislation, did you say? The tax cuts, which combined with a grotesquely expensive chosen war, have plunged the nation into unprecedented budget deficits. The USA Patriot Act which has served as a vehicle for the abuses of National Security Letters by the FBI and which has had parts of it declared as unconstitutional. The unfunded mandates of No Child Left Behind which has no discernible effect on the various states except to have teachers begin teaching to the required tests and school districts fudging numbers on the results. I wouldn’t recommend boasting about those “accomplishments”.
17. Percy Beezer | April 30th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Be kind; the Kennedy No Child Left Behind Bill celebrates intentions over achievement, style over substance. The hallmark of the democratic party.
Does the NEA know what you’re accusing them of? Bad liberal, bad liberal!
“Accomplishments? We don’t need no stinkin’ accomplishments!” Harry Reid
18. Diana Powe | April 30th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Percy Beezer,
You mean George Bush’s No Child Left Behind? Quoting from his 2000 campaign brochure, ” Governor Bush will fight for fundamental reforms so no child is left behind.”
Source: http://www.4president.org/brochures/georgewbush2000brochure.htm
19. steveGA | April 30th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
So before the 06 elections when Republicans had control of both houses and the White House, you blamed Democrats for all problems. Sure, they had no power, but they had the filibuster, didn’t they? Back then, you were against the filibuster.
Now, Democrats have both houses but no White House (yet). Now you say Democrats are to blame because they have all the power. The filibuster, which Republicans now use to block Democratic legislation, is now suddenly ok with you.
Matt, I know I’ve asked this before, but you’ve never answered: are you a complete idiot, or just a total hypocrite?
20. Matt Margolis | April 30th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Diana, in case you forgot (or just choosing to ignore) Ted Kennedy worked hand in hand with the White House in writing the legislation.
21. js | April 30th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
the demoncrats are intentionally stuffing pork into every major bill so they can blame Bush for veto…yet…its not Bush…that created the problem…….veto’s dont really cause the problem….the problem is unlimited, unreasonable earmarks for congress and thier corporate pals…a situation that was a primary focus in the 06 elections that the demoncrats lied about…
nothings changed….the same congressional issues exist today that existed before Bush took office…that drove this nation into deficit spending…its called congress…
22. js | April 30th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
19. steveGA
filibuster? for what? blocking nominations? wake up fool….they didnt have the intestinal fortitude to vote for judges…democrats use filibusters for dirty pool…republicans use it to block dirty, earmark stuffed pork bills…get a life and stop gossiping puhleez
23. Diana Powe | April 30th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
js,
You mean the budget surpluses that turned into disastrous deficits during the last six years?
24. Rana Quijotesca | April 30th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Two words… filibuster and veto…
Who’s fault is this again?
25. Rich | April 30th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I’m hearing excuses from Rana and Diana. The question and the point of this thread is what have the Democratically controlled congress done since 2006? Would you say the economy has improved since the Dems took over? Have gas prices gotten cheaper since Dems took over? Has global warming been tackled since dems took over? seriously what have they accomplished that they said they would. No excuses just facts.
26. SEW | April 30th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Rich, easy question there. Nada, zero, zilch,nothing other than much higher gas prices, on the verge of recession and higher taxes, a housing crash, higher food prices, and telecom not intercepting terrorist calls because of lawsuit threats from the Dems biggest financial contributor, trial attorneys.
But hey, what does one expect from Fake War Heroes, Fake scientists and Fake Americans attempting to become POTUS?
27. Rich | April 30th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Crickets chirping…
28. GOP4ME | April 30th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Face it ‘Rats, you guys have had the levers of control for the past year and a half (or so) and what have you produced to strengthen the economy, end the war etc. etc.?
Nothing!
Quit blaming the president for executing his ability to veto policy he disagrees with. The GOP in congress worked WITH Slick Willy to pass a whole horde of legislation (regardless of your approval or disapproval of said law making).
You libtards would rather blame the fireman with your back to the burning house than turn around, grab a hose and start working to help solve the problems (I mean a liberal work hard? I know it sounds so crazy)…
Finally, I know you morons like to call us the 28%’ers because W has low support. But based on the most recent congressional approval numbers (a congress with the democrat party controls) I guess that would make you lot the what, 14%’ers?
Rocks, glass houses etc.etc.?
29. js | May 1st, 2008 at 7:26 am
only a putz would even believe that wipped out the deficit….the “surplus” was nothing more than Social Security Funds….did anyone ever claim that billy clinton was “not” a liar?…..no…..thats an established fact…..
we are at war….this is something that affects the economy….gas goes up…food goes up…problem is…instead of getting behind the war and supporting our troops….putz’s complain about fantasies like “budget surpluses”….isnt that so liberal!!
30. Inside34 | May 1st, 2008 at 8:18 am
In the 1990s, Clinton worked in a bipartisan matter on many but not all issues to provide the greatest economy this nation ever saw. Now all we see is an uncompromising President with a 24% approval rating saying his way or no way; this is egotistically pathetic.
Added to this divisiveness you have a leader of the conservative movement, Rush Limbaugh, spending three hours a day everyday detailing, although with 24% support, ways Cons can create “chaos” in America. Support rioting (burning down of businesses) in Denver if you have too. Then there is Fox news “all Rev Wright all the time channel”creating anger in the hearts of white middle America each night.
I wonder when the nation will get back to solving problems.
31. js | May 1st, 2008 at 11:00 am
hey, clinton would try anything once…and more often than most…like cheating…lying…stealing…fraud…pandering….sexual harrassment….using state power for personal gains…you know..the cheap 2 bit stuff that he got caught at…and then the stuff he didnt get caught at…like obstruction…murder…and other lies, cheats, and thefts…just like hillary…
and then…not much that the republican congress presented to clinton could reasonably be veto’ed…not that it would make any difference…he was so busy pandering favor to avert allegations of criminal behavior anyways….the one thing that would have made a difference was if he resolved the iraq situation…which he didnt do…which lead directly to 9-11…which history will show was truely the fault of the domocrat parties failure to act….for national defense…instead of reducing the size of the military when it should have been increased….
32. Percy Beezer | May 1st, 2008 at 11:42 am
Isn’t that the point of this thread? democratics have done nothing and they’re wondering why nothing gets done!
If democrat(ics) had any brains, they’d be Republican.
33. Danish Artist | May 1st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Here’s something they’ve done:
Congressman Charles Rangel was recently seen getting out of his Cadillac DeVille, which he leases for $774 per month. Then there was Congressman Jose Serrano, getting out of his Buick LaCrosse, which he leases for $317 per month. And how about this one: Congressman Gregory Meeks was recently seen waiting for Congressman John Conyers to step out of Meeks’ Lexus LS460, which Meeks leases for $998 per month.
All those leases are picked up by taxpayers through a little-known program available only to members of the House of Representatives.
You can probably just imagine the kind of reaction CBS 2 HD got from everyday citizens outside Meeks’ Jamaica, Queens office.
“They should all drive cheaper cars, why not?” Richard Candelario said. “I mean, you know, they’re making the money. I mean, we shouldn’t pay for their cars.”
Members of the House who choose to lease through the program have had a great deal of leeway. Congressman Anthony Weiner of Brooklyn, for example, leases a 2008 Chevy impala for $219/month. Congressman Ed Towns of Brooklyn used to lease a Lincoln for $845 per month, but switched to a 2008 mini-SUV made by Lincoln, the MKX, which costs $715 per month.
They’ve contributed to global warming while telling use to conserve, go green, drive smart, blah blah blah……..