tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post2257265565194683541..comments2024-03-28T14:52:13.218-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: The Wilson ThingJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-70457648703017947552009-09-11T15:48:37.241-05:002009-09-11T15:48:37.241-05:00This is rapidly turning into an intelligent conver...This is rapidly turning into an intelligent conversation about politics. Who'da thunk it?<br /><br />I took the advice of others and did read the bill. Does that make me a bad person? Or a Democrat? <br /><br />It's pretty much what I'd been lead to expect which probably explains why the right has never risen about using polemic and violence, both verbal and physical to oppose it.<br /><br />However I must also comment that Wilson's fundraising efforts after his display in the House just go to prove my original diatribe about politicians (or certain politicians to shade the point) seeming to care nothing about how poor their public perception has become.MikeBhttp://zedefrag.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-47291500453006226232009-09-11T08:48:55.887-05:002009-09-11T08:48:55.887-05:00MikeB, actually in the Senate the Democrats still ...MikeB, actually in the Senate the Democrats still need some Republican votes. While on paper they have a 60 vote super majority, in reality they've never had it since retaking power (Al Frankin was finally sworn in in July, but by then Kennedy was absent). And that 60 includes Spector, Lieberman and Sanders, not to mention the internal factioning of the Democratic Party (the problem of being the actual party of ideas and a big tent). But with the Frankin and now Kennedy issue, the Democrats in the Senate need at least one or two Republicans to go along with them (at this point it looks like Snowe and maybe Voinovich). <br /><br />The "but they have the majority" cry is just one of those compliments that is really an underhanded attack (with the compliment phrase, "so why can't they get anything done.") It's the same as the "read the bill" cry which ignores why representatives (and any executive) has staff and how work has actually been accomplished for the past two decades. It rings well with people who have just a basic civics class understanding of their government. Sure, it should work that way, but because of the pressures of fund raising, campaigning, research, constituent services, and all the day to day stuff, nobody could keep up with all of it by themselves. Again, that's the purpose of being an executive, you direct and delegate, you get reports, you make the decisions (and you're responsible for all those little things you've delegated).Steve Buchheithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12999709767641212586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-58854944276164740032009-09-10T23:02:25.313-05:002009-09-10T23:02:25.313-05:00I just had to drop in and tell you that I am total...I just had to drop in and tell you that I am totally smitten with your blog! It causes me to laugh out loud (in a good way)every time I read it.Urban Milkmaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01669236770815247883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-80963120911764672672009-09-10T16:23:54.982-05:002009-09-10T16:23:54.982-05:00Fair comment Steve: when it comes to politics it&#...Fair comment Steve: when it comes to politics it's all too easy to tar everyone with the same brush. The GOP does seem to have a pretty solid handle on "teh crazies" right now, it's a shame so few of them seem to realise that they can wind them up and let them go but can rarely do much to stop them if the need arises. I stand with Jim on the idea that he seems to be putting forward which, correct me if I'm wrong, is that the Democrats simply don't need the Republicans right now. For myself I'd say that seeking consensus when the opposing party is clearly insane is not really the best way to get a good solution.MikeBhttp://zedefrag.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-53054539120866218122009-09-10T14:40:40.726-05:002009-09-10T14:40:40.726-05:00Sorry.
John Boehner - best name EVA!Sorry.<br /><br />John Boehner - best name EVA!Some dude stuck in the Midwesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00852056495927941030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-42301621358402538012009-09-10T13:27:39.944-05:002009-09-10T13:27:39.944-05:00I honestly don't know which bothered me more -...I honestly don't know which bothered me more -- Wilson's rude outburst (best tweet I saw in the aftermath was @politicalbaron's: I applaud Congressman Wilson and his brave battle with Tourettes) OR the Republicans who sat on their hands rather than standing up to denounce the "death panel" lies when the President gave them a chance.<br /><br />Also -- so many senators and congresspersons worked through their summer break to get a bill through committees -- and there's John Boehner sitting there with a tan George Hamilton would have envied. He's obviously got no intention of seeing a health care bill pass in his lifetime -- just so very insulting.Alesia Matsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15519487703722156234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-12841864521130425302009-09-10T11:53:41.496-05:002009-09-10T11:53:41.496-05:00MikeB, diffusing this argument to the generic &quo...MikeB, diffusing this argument to the generic "Politicians" is missing the fact that the brand of lunacy Jim is outlining is pretty much endemic to the conservative wing at this point. Sure, there's enough crazy juice to go around, but this "discussion" of healthcare has pretty well tossed much of the conservative leadership over the ledge. (I believe FactCheck.org is running in the 10 to 1 posts of conservative to progressive articles on this "debate").<br /><br />Also, be careful about the whole "politicians" thing, you never know when one is lurking.Steve Buchheithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12999709767641212586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-75182531672807172182009-09-10T11:52:35.384-05:002009-09-10T11:52:35.384-05:00Steve, I'm not suggesting that the president d...Steve, I'm not suggesting that the president dismiss the Republicans. I'm suggesting that he stop trying to work with them.<br /><br />I'll have a longer post up on this laterJim Wrighthttp://www.stonekettle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-12366173116223345782009-09-10T11:46:40.979-05:002009-09-10T11:46:40.979-05:00Politicians rank right down there with used-car sa...Politicians rank right down there with used-car salesmen and insurance adjustors when it comes to trust and perceived honesty. It’s not that fact that rankles as much as the appearance that nobody, least of all the politicians themselves, seems to care about changing that fact. What’s wrong with this picture?MikeBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-35774883909740046792009-09-10T11:28:20.145-05:002009-09-10T11:28:20.145-05:00I'm going to call Godwin on myself and say, I ...I'm going to call Godwin on myself and say, I think Paul von Hindenburg also dismissed his opponents as scared radicals beyond any rational thought.<br /><br />And having intoned Godwin on myself, I now revoke Godwin for the rest of the thread.Steve Buchheithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12999709767641212586noreply@blogger.com