http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303734204577464713566678558.html I was seriously surprised to see such a blatant admission by Republicans of delaying policy until after the election. So while Americans are suffering from unemployment, they don't want to do anything to help until they have a chance to reap gains in gov't. Wow, no wonder people have lost faith in politicians. How can you attack Obama for "getting nothing done" on the economy while you are saying that you will block everything until reinforcements come in???
I don't see anything wrong with this. The Republicans clearly are not looking at the same solutions as Obama, so rather than pass something now that they won't be happy with, why not wait until they're actually in control?
Of course democrats should do the same thing, block every action by Republicans when they are in power down the line, Grid lock forever is so great for this country.
If the electorate is split, gridlock is an appropriate condition. If you want to end gridlock, convince the electorate to vote in larger majorities. The GOP was voted in in 2010 to stop Obama's agenda. If he won't change, gridlock is preferable to capitulation.
Dems did the same thing in 08. Major difference this time is that the Republicans started their sabotage in late 09 and never looked back. Not much hope for consensus making any time soon.
I have never seen Democrats or Republicans doing what the current Republicans in congress are doing, not even close.
Many of the parliamentary tactics were practiced the last cycle...blocking appointments, threatening the nuclear option, not calling a vote by placing holds, and the filibustering.... There's a more concerted strategy now behind these separate tactics, and of course it ain't the last of them
I don't think we've been more divided as a country than we ever have- with the exception of the 1840s-1865- but at least they tried to compromise.
Dems supported bailouts and similar measures passed in the wake of the financial crisis, if I remember correctly, even before the election. They didnt lock things up until after Obama got into the office, did they?
Easy, tiger. They are saying that they are delaying major financial decisions. If they think they will win the White House and make gains in the Senate, it makes more sense to delay the decision than to put policies in place that they don't agree with in the name of saying they did something. If you believe that policy x will not work or make things worse, why would you agree to it if you believe that the conditions will be right in six months to enact policies you think will help?
I am sorry, it has never been taken to this level. Even respected Republicans have spoke out about it. Yes the tactics are not new, but every initiative by Obama has been opposed by Republicans even if it was Republicans who came up with it! It the lowest points in our country outside of wars and the great depression.
What we have is fundamental differences. The Dems want to throw more money at the problem and create more government jobs. The Reps want to get government out of the way and let the private sector create jobs. When we are already over 15 TRILLION dollars in debt, I believe the Reps plans make much more sense. When the Reps don't believe in the Dems plan, then why wouldn't they try to block it.
How does the GOP plan make sense with debt when the biggest source of income for the government to lower the debt is taxes and they want to keep on lowering it or stay with the Bush tax cuts that has done nothing but increase the debt. Bush - "I'm going to start two wars and pay for it by lowering taxes". Makes plenty of sense
Tell me your joking about neing surprise the GOP has been doing this his hole term when you got senators stating it's my goal to make sure he's a one term president there should be no surprise as to what they will do they don't care about the American people.
1) Democrats held the Senate in the 107th Congress (2001-2002) 2) While the number of forced cloture votes has gone up dramatically, so has the number of cloture motions, meaning Harry Reid is also bringing up an unprecedented amount controversial legislation.
No, this is where you are wrong. The legislation isn't any more controversial than in any other Congress, the unprecedented part is that the GOP has decided it will take 60 votes for ANY legislation to pass. They are doing this specifically to try and oust Obama, they are putting party over country and it is disgusting.
