Comments on: Bad Politics

By: PG

PG — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 21:02:33 +0000

Yes, fight the GOP machine and the wingnut universe.

But NO, don’t do it the way you’ve described. I refuse to believe that there isn’t a way to “get everyone’s attention” and “define yourself” in a way and with proposals that are REALISTIC and would actually work in the real world.

What good are proposals that only warm the hearts of “a few policy wonks”? How about this:they may actually be the best way to do something, irregardless of whether it’s polling well or understood by Joe SixPack. Sure, they won’t pass the GOP-led Congress. But then the Dems can go out and sell the programs, not just on merit, but then with the capper:”this is the best way and these guys don’t want to do it.”

Let’s stand apart THAT way. Because if we (i.e. the Dems) really have the best answer for something, and it doesn’t take off, the problem may certainly lay elsewhere (the media, the voting public) and it won’t help matters, I think, simply to be off-the-wall to get everyone’s attention.

By: Mum

Mum — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 22:35:03 +0000

I can’t believe I missed this post in January. It must have been due to the fact that I was in the throes of a nasty sinus insurgency. If I HAD read it I would have jumped up and cheered. I agree with everything, and have also been especially appalled by the “Me-Tooism” that permeates the Democratic Party. It’s time to get radical. Take the advice of Thomas Paine and Saul Alinsky. Some Democrats have been criticized for being too angry, as if being angry at how screwed up things are in this country is a fault, or a character flaw. It astonishes me that most of the Republican wingnuts who claim to be Bible-toting, God-fearing people, ignore the exhortations of the prophets and their own “savior.” I’m sick and tired of, and, yes, angry about, the Republican flag being continuously planted on what they claim as the moral high-ground, when it is obvious to any true person of faith, of ANY faith, that they are infidels: infidels of democratic ideals, of compassionate governance, of their jobs as servants to the American people, ALL the American people. But, I’m also beginning to get tired of mindless rants on the left that do little to either advance meaningful debate or stir anyone to action, which is why it was refreshing to read your piece on “Bad Politics.” It offers simple advice that should be heeded. Will it be?

By: tbob

tbob — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 11:50:46 +0000

How simple a plan? How about a requirement that all Senators and Congressmen, after serving their terms, do a stint in jail equal to their time in office? You might imprison a few innocents, but probably not many.

By: Vindictive Troll

Vindictive Troll — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 00:21:43 +0000

Both parties are about self policing, you know, like Enron did.

By: Bob Munck

Bob Munck — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 23:30:45 +0000

Here’s something that will cut down on lobbying: make all the Senators and Representatives telecommute. Set them up with really good secure audio and video communications and conferencing so that they can do everything from offices in their districts, and then make them stay there to do the work. Not only will there no longer be a single target for a K Street, but the pols won’t spend so much time traveling back and forth, and may be able to get more work done. Wait, that might be a drawback.

By: greg

greg — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 20:50:26 +0000

No, it means that industry shills shouldn’t have more access to Congressmen than their constituents. If Senators see educational value in meeting with industry professionals, that’s fine, but the policy should be “don’t call us, we’ll call you”.

As to how you go about writing a rule like that, who cares? Being a semi-permanent minority party, the point isn’t to write substative policy but make pledges to voters that seperate you from the corrupt status quo. If you stake a claim as the anti-lobbyist party, the only alternative for the GOP is to either follow suit or stand up as the party of lobbyists (which they are).

By: Eric Jaffa

Eric Jaffa — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 19:57:29 +0000

Regarding a ban on all lobbying:

Does that mean Senators can't meet with anyone from the private sector?