The Curmudgeon Party
I'm not going to defend how government actually works, rather how it should work. It's almost as if all the political science and history courses were a waste of time. And if you think Schoolhouse Rock, "I'm Just a Bill" is how it happens then you're more insane than I imagined. Nothing in those lyrics about secret holds, filibusters, earmarks, supplementals, off-budget items or holding votes open for as long as you need to manipulate the outcome. There is a mention of the veto but W has never vetoed a single bill, most notably a spending bill, sent to him from the Republican House and Republican Senate, in five years. W has signaled he will veto a bill - the McCain amendment just passed 90-9 barring cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of military detainees by any American personnel anywhere. It actually only requires that the Army manual be followed but obviously if we did that the terrorists would win.
So back to the theme for today. My advice is to promote a brand for the Democrats. Protect Americans, Protect America. It's not isolationism, it's good government. Fund science, disease control and prevention, health research and the like. That's CDC, NAS, NIH, etc. (And no, "etc" is not a new federal department although at the rate of growth of big government, big spending W who knows.) Fix the roads, bridges, tunnels and yes, levees. Support the troops by getting them the best equipment they need. It's shocking a great country has its soldiers or their parents and grandparents buying their own armor and protective vests and asking for reimbursement. (Which W is against). It's a disgrace. Pick up the garbage, fund police and fire, provide access to health care and education and be fair about it. Common currency, freedom of movement, full faith and credit. Ring any bells? This is basic government as taught in Civics 101. And as for the Republican "agenda" as Bill Maher says stop claiming it's an agenda. It's not an agenda. It's a random collection of laws that your corporate donors paid you to pass.
How about a new ethics law that says you can't accept trips, golf, lunch, dinner, a movie, tickets, wine, cash, jobs for your family or anything of any value from the lobbyists and other similar parasites in politics. Why is there any debate about this? You get elected to Congress and all of a sudden "everyday is my birthday?" Enough. You get your salary, $162,100 for Congress, $180,100 for majority leaders, $208,100 for Speaker Hastert, and if that's not enough, leave. It's called public service. You are supposed to work for the public we don't work for you.
Democrats should propose an ethics law that you couldn't accept so much as a compliment from lobbyists. There should be an end to earmark (pork giveaways) in highway bills that build indoor rainforests in Iowa and bridges to nowhere in Alaska. It may be fun to get your name on these things but the bills come due and you're not the one paying for it. Want to win in 2006? Contract with America already taken? (and broken). Propose an irrevocable trust with America. Elected officials can be co-trustees with Americans as the beneficiaries. It would be nice for a change to actually govern as if you care more about the country than you do about your job.
Not interested? All those in favor of the new Curmudgeon Party say "aye."
posted by Crankyboy at 10:06 AM
6 Comments:
Oh you Devil you. We don't need another Party, we need to end the party. That means cutting up the credit cards; that means bringing back truth in advertising and equal time for rebuttal. That means close the bar and pay the tab and most of all it means taking the car keys back and taking the T-Bird away.
If we have to charge them with treason and lock them all up, let's do it now while it's still possible, but at least we have to end the era of 40% of voters showing up at the polls, activist courts that violate constitutional guarantees and Corporations that change votes without a trace. It will be too late before we know it.
Why do you think I'm so cranky?
I was just wandering how you're getting along with that new nanny?
It's actually a borrowed nanny but she is working out fine but we miss our star nanny who left us :(
Crankyboy,
You were on a roll with this post. Some good, common sense stuff that seems so distant these days (maybe it always was). I love the part about promoting America by being an example (which in many ways we really once were).
Capt. Fogg: I'm curious if you think compulsory voting like many countries have would be a good idea, or is your point that people have to want to vote and then get out and do it?
I don't know how you would make compulsory voting work, but then I don't know how you make Democracy work in a country like ours.
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