A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say

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Brain -> A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 2:16:48 AM)
Actually, come to think of it, the man is right. A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say The productivity began with the stimulus package, which was far more than an injection of $787 billion in government spending to jump-start the ailing economy. More than one-third of it -- $288 billion -- came in the form of tax cuts, making it one of the largest tax cuts in history, with sizable credits for energy conservation and renewable-energy production as well as home-buying and college tuition. The stimulus also promised $19 billion for the critical policy arena of health-information technology, and more than $1 billion to advance research on the effectiveness of health-care treatments. Any Congress that passed all these items separately would be considered enormously productive. Instead, this Congress did it in one bill. Lawmakers then added to their record by expanding children's health insurance and providing stiff oversight of the TARP funds allocated by the previous Congress. Other accomplishments included a law to allow the FDA to regulate tobacco, the largest land conservation law in nearly two decades, a credit card holders' bill of rights and defense procurement reform. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/29/AR2010012902516_pf.html

Thadius -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 6:48:38 AM)
So what stopped them from passing their "headline" promises? Healthcare, Cap and Trade, etc... If it wasn't approval ratings, what was it? Is this to be laid at the feet of the objectionist party across the aisle? As of this morning Congress has a 26.3% approval rating (according to Real Clear Politics), and 36% think the country is headed in the right direction. I can't wait to see what Congress does with the President's proposed budget (just released this morning).

Brain -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 9:00:54 AM)
I don't really know, I hope they just need more time. He hasn't been president that long but there is a lot more to do like you said. I think he needs to forget about being bipartisan because Republicans had their chance and they blew it.

Thadius -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 9:11:04 AM)
See that is where it becomes confusing to me. If I remember correctly, the Dems took control of the House in the 2006 mid-term elections, with Pelosi becoming Speaker in Jan '07. I think they got control of the Senate right around that time as well. So we are looking at 4 years of a Dem controlled congress (both houses), they had a super-majority for the last year, with a Dem president, and they couldn't accomplish their goals? If their promises were even close to what most folks wanted, it would have been done in the first 6 months of President Obama's term. Something is going on other than the Repubs trying to roadblock every bill. Know what I mean?

Musicmystery -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 9:13:41 AM)
quote: So what stopped them from passing their "headline" promises? Healthcare, Cap and Trade, etc... If it wasn't approval ratings, what was it? Is this to be laid at the feet of the objectionist party across the aisle? I just want to point out that you two are discussing two different things. Brain's link is about, despite approval ratings, what was accomplished. Thadius, you're talking about what was not. Approval ratings could have played a part, sure. To deny the obstruction from the right is just silly--it was vocal and explicit in its intent from the start. Cap and Trade has been dead for months. Not worth the discussion. The political will for it died way back, not to mention the political capital for it. Health care reform is dead. I don't care what the Democrats or Republicans say about their intentions--it's over. Not just this bill, any bill. It will be a political football for the 2010 elections, but it's been successfully killed. The insurance industry has won.

Musicmystery -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 9:14:59 AM)
quote: Something is going on other than the Repubs trying to roadblock every bill. Know what I mean? Come on, Thadius. The agenda evaporated with the credit crisis last November. There's no money, and people bottom line just want jobs.

willbeurdaddy -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 10:20:57 AM)
Mission accomplished. Run up the deficit and prolong the recession. Great job.

Musicmystery -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 10:25:03 AM)
And here we have a third, different issue on top of Brain's and Thadius'. Whether it should have been done is different from a claim nothing was done. So run against it in November. Beats making up shit.

willbeurdaddy -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 10:27:36 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Musicmystery And here we have a third, different issue on top of Brain's and Thadius'. Whether it should have been done is different from a claim nothing was done. So run against it in November. Beats making up shit. Oh, it will be run against in November. Then you'll see what the country thinks of the "Accomplisments".

Musicmystery -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 10:30:02 AM)
Don't we already know that from the approval ratings?

willbeurdaddy -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 10:32:26 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Musicmystery Don't we already know that from the approval ratings? the Dems either don't believe the approval ratings and MA, NJ, VA, or dont care, and will continue to push their agenda until they are voted out. Health care reform costs are in todays budget proposal. LMAO.

Musicmystery -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 10:35:12 AM)
Frankly, I don't think the Dems have any idea where they want to go from here. Other than opposing the Dems, nor do the Republicans.

Brain -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 11:17:01 AM)
Here’s a good example, this guy works for Obama and here he is writing this opinion, which I agree with, in the NYT. I want them to do financial reform not just write about it in the newspaper. Everybody Republicans/Democrats likes Volcker so you’d think he could get it done. How to Reform Our Financial System By PAUL VOLCKER Published: January 30, 2010 It's more than a year after Americans learned the definition of "too big to fail," and it's time to push through the reform that will save having to re-learn that painful lesson, writes Paul Volcker in the New York Times. "As things stand," writes the chair of the president’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, big banks now know that the taxpayers will bail them out, resulting in enhanced "incentives to risk-taking and leverage, with the implication of an even more fragile financial system." Even though many "long to return to 'business as usual,' " there "is no substitute for structural change," Volcker contends, and the government must write a "living will" for the very banks labeled too big to fail. Under the regulatory agency President Obama is seeking, "these capital market institutions would be free to innovate, to trade, to speculate—and as ordinary businesses in a capitalist economy, to fail." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/opinion/31volcker.html?pagewanted=1 quote: ORIGINAL: Thadius See that is where it becomes confusing to me. If I remember correctly, the Dems took control of the House in the 2006 mid-term elections, with Pelosi becoming Speaker in Jan '07. I think they got control of the Senate right around that time as well. So we are looking at 4 years of a Dem controlled congress (both houses), they had a super-majority for the last year, with a Dem president, and they couldn't accomplish their goals? If their promises were even close to what most folks wanted, it would have been done in the first 6 months of President Obama's term. Something is going on other than the Repubs trying to roadblock every bill. Know what I mean?

Brain -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 12:07:01 PM)
This guy views it differently however. I guess I can wait a little longer but they better get healthcare done and fix the bill using reconcilliation/51 votes and do financial reform too especially if it's true Blankfein, Chairman at Goldman Sachs is getting a 100million dollar bonus. Exclusive: ‘Ellie Light’ regrets damage done to Obama, blasts right-wing ‘conspiracy theorists’ Criticizes Democrats: 'not as loyal' as Republicans Steward declined to criticize Obama, calling him "the most remarkable elected official," and criticized Democrats and progressives for allegedly wanting instant gratification of their wishes. "Democrats have abandoned the president that they practically worshiped such a short time ago because he couldn't tend to their needs in the first twelve months of office. And they're behaving like a bunch of babies," he said. http://rawstory.com/2010/01/exclusive-ellie-light-regrets-damage-obama-blasts-rightwing-conspiracy-theorists/ quote: ORIGINAL: Thadius See that is where it becomes confusing to me. If I remember correctly, the Dems took control of the House in the 2006 mid-term elections, with Pelosi becoming Speaker in Jan '07. I think they got control of the Senate right around that time as well. So we are looking at 4 years of a Dem controlled congress (both houses), they had a super-majority for the last year, with a Dem president, and they couldn't accomplish their goals? If their promises were even close to what most folks wanted, it would have been done in the first 6 months of President Obama's term. Something is going on other than the Repubs trying to roadblock every bill. Know what I mean?

Thadius -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 12:19:44 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Musicmystery quote: So what stopped them from passing their "headline" promises? Healthcare, Cap and Trade, etc... If it wasn't approval ratings, what was it? Is this to be laid at the feet of the objectionist party across the aisle? I just want to point out that you two are discussing two different things. Brain's link is about, despite approval ratings, what was accomplished. Thadius, you're talking about what was not. Approval ratings could have played a part, sure. To deny the obstruction from the right is just silly--it was vocal and explicit in its intent from the start. Cap and Trade has been dead for months. Not worth the discussion. The political will for it died way back, not to mention the political capital for it. Health care reform is dead. I don't care what the Democrats or Republicans say about their intentions--it's over. Not just this bill, any bill. It will be a political football for the 2010 elections, but it's been successfully killed. The insurance industry has won. If Cap and Trade is dead, why did the budget proposed today by the administration, have those monies included in it? I will concede the point that the objections from the right prolly did help with those proposals being shot down, at least in raising public awareness of the bills themselves. That still doesn't remove the fact that even Dems weren't enamored with the very left proposals, hence some of the backroom bribes that we saw come up just to get passed the filibuster. I think you are right about the "health care reform" being dead, at least for a year or so. I think with this being an election year, most of them will be in CYOA mode. I did understand Brain's post, and the opinion piece behind it. I suggest that perhaps a few of those things could have waited, or did influence further the negative dive in the approval ratings. To be fair they were already pretty low prior to last Jan, and got a bit of a bounce when Pres. Obama took office.

Thadius -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 12:33:25 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Brain This guy views it differently however. I guess I can wait a little longer but they better get healthcare done and fix the bill using reconcilliation/51 votes and do financial reform too especially if it's true Blankfein, Chairman at Goldman Sachs is getting a 100million dollar bonus. Exclusive: ‘Ellie Light’ regrets damage done to Obama, blasts right-wing ‘conspiracy theorists’ Criticizes Democrats: 'not as loyal' as Republicans Steward declined to criticize Obama, calling him "the most remarkable elected official," and criticized Democrats and progressives for allegedly wanting instant gratification of their wishes. "Democrats have abandoned the president that they practically worshiped such a short time ago because he couldn't tend to their needs in the first twelve months of office. And they're behaving like a bunch of babies," he said. http://rawstory.com/2010/01/exclusive-ellie-light-regrets-damage-obama-blasts-rightwing-conspiracy-theorists/ quote: ORIGINAL: Thadius See that is where it becomes confusing to me. If I remember correctly, the Dems took control of the House in the 2006 mid-term elections, with Pelosi becoming Speaker in Jan '07. I think they got control of the Senate right around that time as well. So we are looking at 4 years of a Dem controlled congress (both houses), they had a super-majority for the last year, with a Dem president, and they couldn't accomplish their goals? If their promises were even close to what most folks wanted, it would have been done in the first 6 months of President Obama's term. Something is going on other than the Repubs trying to roadblock every bill. Know what I mean? I want something to be accomplished as well, unfortunately as Tim pointed out, it is probably going back to the status quo (stalemate) in Congress. Funny that you should mention Goldman Sachs... the blue ribbon panel that was proposed (and its members) by Pres. Obama is made up of 7 current or former Goldman Sachs execs... Go figure.

willbeurdaddy -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 12:41:59 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Brain This guy views it differently however. I guess I can wait a little longer but they better get healthcare done and fix the bill using reconcilliation/51 votes and do financial reform too especially if it's true Blankfein, Chairman at Goldman Sachs is getting a 100million dollar bonus. I would love them to try reconciliation. It will result in a public display of the Dem arrogance, and will result in a bill that does absolutely nothing. Every provision has to be voted on virtually line by line and each one still requires 60 votes if it isnt purely budgetary. good luck with that!

Musicmystery -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/1/2010 8:24:37 PM)
Agreed. Never gonna happen.

DomImus -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/2/2010 6:50:50 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Brain This guy views it differently however. I guess I can wait a little longer but they better get healthcare done and fix the bill using reconcilliation/51 votes. That's just not going to happen. They aren't even seriously discussing it as an option. In reconciliation any wording in the bill that does not specifically raise money or spend money can be changed or removed. They'll end up with a bill that nobody wants to vote for. This health care bill is dead and the issue is dead at least until after the mid-term elections. I predict that we will not see it again for the remainder of Obama's first term. This was one of those one shot deals and they blew it. It'll be a while before they get another opportunity.

Archer -> RE: A very productive Congress, despite what the approval ratings say (2/2/2010 2:22:54 PM)
Public awareness was about the only weapon the Republicans have had to oppose ANY bill in consideration. The Democrates had the votes but couldn't even convince their own members without giving away huge PORK BRIBES to vote for their own party's bill. How many times can you need to be reminded that THEY DIDN"T NEED A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTE to pass any bill since President Obama took office. The screams of Obstructionists towards republicans are fog. They had everything one could possibly need to pass anything near a reasonable bill without a single out of party vote.House firmly in Pelosi's grip, Senate under Reid a filibuster proof majority, what more could you possibly ask for to get a bill passed and signed? To relate it to the OP the progress the Democrats made pale in comparison to what they could and should have been able to accomplish had they simply took the middle road within their own party. The Stimulus Package, Obama's gift to Pelosi and Reid calling for all of the pet projects and pork any Democrate had wanted but never could get past the reporters hungry to point out pork barrel government waste, all packaged as an attempt to stimulate the economy, was a quick lets make the folks think we are doing something for them ploy. Had they taken a middle road and not scared their own party's blue dog Democrats with bills too far left for them to even hope to get re elected if they voted for them. That's the trouble with "Mandates" politicians always see them as a mandate to go as far to the edges of their party as they can rather than a chance to shift the politcal center a little more their way.

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