Bits and pieces

[eleanor]

Let's see, after six years in office -- at the point when Democrats have a sizeable majority -- Pres Bush called for an "end to pork", called for an end to those midnight additions to bills that gave folks that little extra bit of PORK.

Where was he when his guys ran the place?

Now, after running up huge deficits -- now, he calls for spending cuts, and a balanced budget by 2012. Where was he when he lied about the cost of the Medicare drug bill?

It seems Republicans only act like Republicans when the Democrats control Congress, or when they control Congress, while the Dems the Executive branch. When Republicans control everything -- they spend like drunken sailors.

Once again -- it's about politics -- not about doing the right thing for thr USA. They could all spend like drunken sailors while Repubs. ran it all -- only calling for "restraint" when he can then blame the "tax and spend" Dems.

This entire country has become a laughing stock -- a bad joke.

"Surges", huge "defense" budgets -- while the troops who actually need, and use the stuff produced often have to do without. We spend more on "defense" than everyone else in the world combined -- and can't even win the WAR OF CHOICE we started.

Sure we could "win" it -- but then there would be NOTHING LEFT of the very people we went there to "liberate" from their horrible dictator.

Our leader said he was against "nation buliding" -- well, he sure proved that in Iraq. Not only is he against it -- he has no clue how to DO it.

The problem with having folks who don't believe in government actually running one is that they do not know how to do it, don't want to do it, and are working to dismantle it while they try to meet the needs of the people -- the stuff that even those supposedly against gov't want to keep -- because it helps them.

It seems most folks support cuts in spending when it is programs that do not affect them in any way.

How about an end to ALL farm subsidies -- let "the market" sort it all out.

End a whole bunch of other "subsidies". After all, what does "pro-business" really mean?

[Brickboy240]

No, the Reps did not spend like drunken sailors. Drunken sailors spend their own damn money! The Reps spent OUR money. Big difference.

The problem is that there is nobody in Congress that has successfully run a small business. Most are there for the same reason lots of PhD and MBA types stay at universities - they simply cannot cut it in the real world. Thats why I detest tax increases - it is very important that we keep as much money away from these fiscal incompetents as humanly possible, but some on the left deem people like me as stingy and still don't think I am giving them enough green. Unbelieveable.

Its an almost impossible task to ask govt. to police itself when it comes to money and spending. The majority of elected officials (both sides of the aisle) are more interested in keeping the current system going and enjoying the free fluff from lobbyists than getting in there and making unpopular decisions that actually amount to what the country really needs. They don't want to rock the boat. They're part of the club. And don't fool yourself into thinking that R's don't look out for D's and vice versa - they most certainly do. The visible R vs. D bickering you see in the press and on the Sunday show and Fox is just for show. They don't give a fig about you and I...only keeping the current system alive and going along.

How do we end this as voters? Sure, we can vote for candidates that SAY they'll clean up DC or not become a tool of the lobbyists, but even if they do just that, they're up against a huge wall of resistance and a system that is powerful and has been in place for decades and does not like new blood coming along and shaking things up. It is almost impossible for even morally straight newly elected officials to gain powerful positions in Congress. Our own Ron Paul and Ted Poe are two examples of representatives that actually do what they say, but they're pariahs in the House and never appionted to major cabinet positions, where they can affect policy. They're known as hardasses or rebels simply because they don't go along to get along and stick to principles. This goes against the club rules in Congress and they just cannot have any of that, you know.

Its frustrating at best. Its way way beyong voting for R's instead of D's or vice versa. Neither major party is doing us a bit of good and neither is a true agent for necessary changes that need to be made. You can point fingers at the R's or the D's but they're BOTH to blame. The system is to blame. Surely this is far, far and away from what our founders envisioned.

I don't know what to get behind for our future. Lately, the choice has been fake conservatives that grew mushy after taking office or neo-socialists...this does not give me warm fuzzies either way! No wonder nobody gets out and votes...theres not much to vote FOR if you ask me.

The system in DC has certainly become what we were guarding against in the beginning of this country. This much I do know is true.

- Brickboy240

[eleanor]

No rebuttals? No scathing retorts? I expected better of y'all

[OrangeSkies]

Get over yourself already. Most here have learned that trying to teach a liberal how to think is a truly hopeless endeavor.

[Krackels]

Originally Posted by OrangeSkies

Get over yourself already. Most here have learned that trying to teach a liberal how to think is a truly hopeless endeavor.

I make it a point to stay out of pointless arguments if possible.

To answer you Eleanor, I am a firm believer that a term or two with neither Democratic or Republican in majority control would probably be the best thing for everyone.

When was the last time that happened? And what happened to the parties afterwards?