The Glade 4.0

in record time. Apparently he voted for the near useless Jobs Bill in the Senate yesterday.

_________________

Yeah that's uh, yeah. I mean, he is in Massachusetts. Had to know it was coming.

_________________
“Strong people are harder to kill than weak people, and more useful in general”. - Mark Rippetoe

So much for being an independent though ...

_________________

In his mind I think this is making him look independent. "See I can vote with the Democrats"? I dont know. That or his people are telling him you need to get behind anything labeled "more jobs".

_________________
“Strong people are harder to kill than weak people, and more useful in general”. - Mark Rippetoe

I know Rynar said this dude was conservative, but I just have a hard time believing it.

_________________
The Dude abides.

Appears all he did was vote to end discussion on the bill. I have no problem with someone ending debate on a topic in which everyone has already made up their mind and moving forward. Whether or not he votes for the bill is the where it matters.

Hell, if I were in the Senate right now, I'd vote to end the debate on health care and force the liberals to actually put up their votes, rather than let the fence sitters and secretly opposed sit quietly while everyone is bludgeoned to death with claims of "obstruction", etc.

I think we should all care more about them having used his seat to pass the raising of the debt ceiling after his election but before he was seated.

_________________
“The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” - Thomas Paine

I don't view this as a sell out at all.

They only need 51 votes for it to go to reconciliation with a House variant at this point.

_________________

I don't even view it as selling out. That State is seriously whacked.

_________________

And? That is how our system is set up. Is it a stupid bill? Probably, and while it might suck if the bill gets pass, it sucks more to use a gimmick intended to ensure everyone has enough information on the topic to vote intelligently to block legislation.

If the bill has merit or not, then vote on it once everyone has the information needed (or assumed to be needed) to make that decision. If everyone has decided, then debate is pointless and a waste of tax dollars and time.

Of course, I say the above with an understanding that the idea concepts behind the system are actually working, when that is not the case. I'd support raising the required vote for passage of bills to 60%.

Ladas:

That's part of the problem. Gridlock is the last real check on our government, and the Consolidated Executive isn't exactly too worried about it either. If things were working as intended, the sitting President would have already been removed from office, assuming he even got there in the first place. And the same can be said for any of his 20th Century predecessors.

_________________

Unfortunately, I believe that the amount of gridlock experienced over the last few decades (half century?) is exactly the reason we have so much consolidation of power in the executive branch, starting with the example set by FDR and the USSC.

And gridlock is one of the larger sources of public dissatisfaction with congress.

Demonstrate this, because every person I've spoken with indicates quite the opposite.

_________________
“The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” - Thomas Paine

Gridlock is better than unfettered creation of entitlement programs.

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

Not to people receiving entitlements, or whose money isn't being forced from their hands.

_________________
“The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” - Thomas Paine

Yeah, this has been my general experience as well, in particular when it comes to the recent pushes by the majority party.

Won't all thirst when the well runs dry?

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

Most likely. My point simply that your viewpoint "gridlock is better than..." isn't universally held, and that understanding that fact may help create change.

_________________
“The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” - Thomas Paine

The only universally held viewpoint is "My viewpoints are more relevant than yours".

Change will come when people want it bad enough. At that point, a savior will come from nowhere and be elected, and he or she will cut medicare, medicade, and social security.

Then the people will crucify him.

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

Really? Gridlock is only "ok" when your side isn't in the majority. Everyone here rails against fillibusters when their "good" legislation is being stopped by the other side.

It should be noted that I'm not advocating that everyone should be able to pass anything. More that I would like to see a much more concerted effort from both sides to meet in the middle and compromise, instead of drawing lines in the sand and getting nothing accomplished.

People would first need to understand what is happening in government. I can't tell you how many people thought that Obama's tax relief was a cut. They are in for a rude surprise when they file for their refunds and get jack **** or end up owing.

_________________

In a gridlock situation, the only legislation passed is, by definition, the legislation everyone can agree with.

Or at least "everyone" who is able to vote on the measure.

I'd rather nothing be done unless everyone agrees. Put a 2/3rds majority on all legislation with no option of passing with less.

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

Money for nothin' and your chicks for free...

You gotta admit, it's a catchy tune.

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.