Rubber Stampers Inc.: (cont.)
One doesn't have to look far to find many examples of Republicans in Congress simply rubber stamping whatever Bush wants to do. The rubber stamping has gotten so bad that Republican representatives don't bother to read reports or even read legislation; and it's standard operating procedure not to let the opposition have much time to read legislation before it's voted on. There's too many examples to list them all, but here's one by the top Republican in the Senate; Laura Rozen of War and Piece caught it on TV:
It's becoming an echo chamber when Congressional Republicans appear on TV. Haven't read it. Haven't heard. Didn't know. Was I supposed to know? But they all trust the most failed president in our nation's history.
Senate Majority leader Frist on ABC's this Week: has not read the April NIE on terrorism.
It's becoming an echo chamber when Congressional Republicans appear on TV. Haven't read it. Haven't heard. Didn't know. Was I supposed to know? But they all trust the most failed president in our nation's history.
posted by Craig at 2:49 PM
3 Comments:
Most Americans don't know the gory details, but they've caught on to how badly they're being let down. You can see the outrage and disgust in lowest-ever poll numbers.
These right-wing GOP ideologues and corporate errand boys and girls seem to feel they've done enough by passing what the leadership says to pass. Most of that rewards the big-donor special interests who favor 19th century robber baron economics and religious-right types who favor a return to 18th century social norms.
Ironically, today's Congress members have bigger budgets, more buildings and office space, and more staff than ever before. Yet, their schedule is the most abbreviated in modern times. Yet, even considering how little they undertake to do, these slackers and shirkers still underperform and underachieve all over the place.
When LBJ was president and Congress was running hot and fast for months on end, without benefit of computers and today's communication technology, there was probably some excuse for some legislation not being fully read and vetted.
Today, there is no excuse. There are too many wealthy, spoiled, egotistical ideologue members being courted by too many ego-stroking, money-stoking lobbyists. There's also too many neutered media stenographers who view talking-point handouts as reliable sources and loss of access as the ultimate failure.
Actually read a 400-page piece of legislation? Nah, let a summer intern do it and write a two- or three-page synopsis, which will be read by a staffer, who will pass the boiled-down essentials to the senator or representative verbally.
There's no time for more. Got to get over to CATO or Heritage, to find out what to think and say about the latest assault on Social Security.
No, this doesn't describe them all but it does fit too many.
S.W., great summary. Since Newt Gingrich came to power in 1994, the games have gotten much worse with Hastert and Frist more recently testing how far they can take the nonsense.
Gingrich cut the budget and access to all kinds of expert help making it more difficult for members of Congress to be fully informed, particularly the opposition.
Many bills of hundreds of pages are now provided to Democrats with only 24 hours to vote.
All Democrats and most Republicans have little idea exactly what is in the final version of a bill decided by conference; a lot of slippery stuff apparently slips in at the last second.
But the Republicans don't seem to care. Too much money rolling in, I suppose. And of course, if they hold out just a little, the voting time is extended while the party bosses either twist arms or offer deals to get a one vote majority on the most controversial bills.
Speaking of Stenographers, Woodward has a book coming out in October. Will he save his reputation, or simply transcribe the White House version?
Ha comprendido no en absoluto bien. [url=http://csalamanca.com/tag/sin-receta/ ]viagra espana [/url] Por favor, cuenten mГЎs detalladamente. http://csalamanca.com/tag/sin-receta/ viagra generico
Post a Comment
<< Home