Tired Of This Congress

[RestoreGore]

There is only ONE thing left for this decrepid, corrupt, blood and oil stained Congress to do before it takes its very last gasp to give it any semblance of a body that truly upholds its oath. I think we all know what that is and I think we all know that it MUST be done in order to save this country not based on revenge or gaining political points, but because it is the MORAL thing to do.

Otherwise, if it is not to be done, we might as well pull the plug on this grand experiment because we don't want it bad enough. You think we would have learned from Vietnam, Watergate, etc. You would think that time would have made us wiser and above all more cognizant and vigilant but it hasn't. How shameful that it has not, for look what we have now done to the future our children will have to live in.

We have failed them, and our Congress has failed us. And that is not cynicism to those who refuse to see truth, it is the stark dark reality of what we truly have allowed to be taken from us... Something wonderful that so many of us sacrificed all we had for over two hundred years, and if we cannot stand up to these thugs and reclaim that now as a people, we don't deserve it. This isn't about one election that will only continue the status quo that feeds this monster. One election in the same corrupt system that spawned this is not the answer. That is actually the very process that has corrupted all this country should stand for. It is about we the people exercising OUR RIGHTS under OUR Constitution to force our representatives to do THEIR JOBS or else BE FIRED. They are not our bosses we are THEIR bosses and they need to be reminded of that on all sides.

HOW DARE those in this Congress on any side dare to placate us still with the same half measures, promises, investigations that go nowhere, and false rhetoric in their pursuit of their own glory in the face of what they have done to this country. They have all betrayed us by allowing this occupation to continue and by allowing Bush to garner the executive power he has that makes this occupation unstoppable even with their so called Democratic majority that can't seem to do much of anything to contain him. And I am tired of the half measures, false promises, investigations that go nowhere, and the false rhetoric spouted by the elitists that really run this government only giving the people some illusion that they actually have any say in all this. It's time we had our say, because we are out of time.

What is now happening in the Middle East is the beginning of the end as far as I am concerned, and all of the Sunday morning talk shows and media sound bites and noise combined will do nothing to placate my anger and total disillusionment for a Congress that can no longer find its guts. And I don't want to entertain the rhetoric that "we don't have the votes to impeach." IT MUST BE DONE. It is a moral imperative to the future sustainability of this country and world and I believe that trumps all political rhetoric to the contrary at this point. Will we actually see it, however? I've been waiting to see it for six and a half years and I'm still waiting...But my patience is running very thin.

The country and world my child will grow up in is something I care about which is why I fight, and those people sitting up on that Hill looking down at us from their ivory towers who so cavalierly make their decisions based on filling their own pockets and feathering their own nests better damn well realize that those of us down here who are LIVING REALITY and fighting EVERYDAY to survive are watching them and expecting a hell of a lot more than we have gotten to this point.

Therefore, my ultimatum as an American citizen to them is:

End this occupation NOW, impeach and imprison these thugs and traitors NOW, and do your job NOW to repeal the Patriot Act, the Real Id Act, the Military Commissions Act, and all laws that have taken away our rights, our environment, and our well being or else deal with the fallout from your own cowardice and the stigmatism for all time that you are no better than they are regardless of the letter next to your name.

There is too much at stake to continue playing political pattycake with the lives of our people and those innocents in the path of this "new world order." These are the ONLY actions that will begin to restore my faith in this body and in this process, and even then they will still have a long way to go to replace the trust they violated without regard for the consequences.

[durtee librul]

1. Nicely said, but until

the entire place is fumigated, it ain't gonna happen. We're screwed and anyone (myself included) who was deluded enough to think things would change last November has now joined the real world to see nothing is going to change.

Pelosi et al had their chance and what do they do - SQUABBLE about a NON BINDING resolution for weeks....how many of our kids died while they were squabbling.

I travel a lot with my job and I can tell you this....people all over the world are wondering just what the hell is going on in this country and when our citizens are going to wake up. A gentelman I work with is from Macedonia who moved to Canada to escape the strife and unrest. Guess what? He says the similiarities between Bush and his old country are downright frightening.

So.....what's the recourse? I honestly don't know. I wish I did. Term limits? I don't even know with a dem prez how much he/she would be able to 'fix' what all has been done.

K & R'd just becuase everyone needs to read this and start asking tough questions....

[RestoreGore]

3. I know, believe me I have no illusions

They just don't care, and while that really doesn't surprise me, the apathy on the part of the people on the whole frightens me.

[kikiek]

8. To say they just don't care is careless and not true That is very disrespectful to Pelosi and the

many others fighting for us. They have been in office 2 months. Apparently they are choosing to not wave their magic wand and undo the last 12 years. There are so many issues and so many problems you can't open the investigations up fast enough. The main problem in my opinion is this war that is killing people and bankrupting our country. That isn't going to be solved overnight and with the ultimate power out of their control. As much as I would LOVE to see Bush impeached I might have to settle for war crimes after he is gone. That will take up too much of the precious time we have to end this war, fix healthcare, fix Medicare and SS, fix the changes made to our constitution by the Patriot Act, close the secret and visible prisons and camps, repair foreign relations, stop the attacks on several minority groups and the hijacking of our country by theocratic assholes, stop the robbing of the people by credit/mortgage companies, allow unions to form again, fix minimum wage, etc etc etc. I can't spend the whole day typing the 12 years of fucked up policy they have to fix, and in reality with minimal power and time. People are working their asses off to make it day to day. Many of them aren't aware or are unable to think about it. That is what 12 years of fucked up policy brings. Apathy, and it is done on purpose. It also needs to be undone, and it won't go overnight.

[RestoreGore]

11. Too bad, I have a right as an American citizen to question my government regardless of party

When I see results, I will change my opinion accordingly. Pelosi and other Democrats voted for the Patriot Act so now I'm waiting to see them repeal it. Also, when I state THIS CONGRESS, I mean ALL of them regardless of party because you see, I am an American first.

[The Doctor.]

5. LOL! So... wait....

You are holding up the Democrats as having failed because they have not managed to reverse over a decade of Republican travesty in a mere two months?

LMAO!!!

The OP has a point, but your hopelessness is unfounded... and 'misplaced'.

[EstimatedProphet]

7. No kidding!

Does the OP even understand how much time and effort has been put into making the country this way? Frankly, I think the idea that the Congress hasn't reversed everything in 2 months being a travesty is imperious.

[The Doctor.]

14. It is true that there are insidious powers still in control of

a great deal of the process, and equally as important, the media.

That would be the major difference between 'then' and 'now'. When the OP says that we seem not to have learned, she discounts that the forces of subjugation have also learned. They have realized that in order to maintain control, a great deal more attention needs to be paid to controlling perception.

Even now, legislators are beginning to address two of the keys to corporate despotism; War profits, and media control. If and when those two issues are addressed, the fuel will be cut off and their means will be stymied.

I don't remember who is looking into introducing such legislation, I only remember seeing it briefly. (should've saved it!)

The fact that real solutions are being pursued in only the first two months of Democratic control should be very encouraging... even to those who are already despairing.

[EstimatedProphet]

16. I think the media planted this impatience in people's minds

I think it came from a subconscious message that the media broadcast over and over in November and December, when they started talking about how the Democratic Congress hadn't done anything yet before they were even installed.

[RestoreGore]

20. Not in my case

I think for myself and do not watch broadcast media. And again, THIS CONGRESS also includes Republicans who don't have the guts and moral fortitude to stand up to these thugs either. Perhaps people need to reread this OP and understand that before laying into me for a legitimate opinion.

[Skidmore]

33. The very conscious message that many of us have been sending

for sometime, long before the elections, is that this needs to end....like before it started. I didn't need the media to set an expectation for me of quick results. I went into the voting booth with those expectations, and for every life lost on either side, those expectations are more justified. If they hadn't voted away war powers, we wouldn't be in Iraq. If they won't shut it down, we'll stay there. More will needlessly die for a madman's lies and a collective lack of will resulting from political expediency.

[EstimatedProphet]

42. I'm not arguing any of those points

But, the media started a campaign right after the election to try and foist the blame for Iraq on the Democratic party, as if since they had won Congress, they could immediately change everything, and since they weren't they were clearly responsible. I think subconsciously some people bought into that claim.

In other words, what I am saying is that I think the insistence that things be done right this minute is unfounded at this point, regardless of how much effort has gone into trying to convince Congress in the past. They were completely unwilling to change anything in the last session. This session is still new and has a lot of new members thanks to us putting them there, and it will take time to put together the working coalitions which will be required to make the changes we want. I'm all for those changes, but I think 2 months is premature to call the Congress ineffectual.

[RestoreGore]

17. Really? They could have done it in their "hundred days" PR pitch? No?

Why didn't they? Why have they not stood up to repeal the Patriot Act? The Real ID Act? The Military Commissions Act? Are they going to? If not, how can they possibly be seen as credible? Easy to judge other peoples' opinions rather than face reality, isn't it? My point is, when are we going to see some REAL action here? Seems all this ENTIRE Congress does is use issues for their own political advantage, and THAT is what I am tired of and outraged about because it is KILLING PEOPLE.

[EstimatedProphet]

19. They're working on restoring habeas corpus right now!

If this were any other Congress, any of the issues would have never been attempted before July, and if this were the 109th Congress, it never would have been addressed AT ALL. Where is your contempt for the Congressional sessions that got us into this mess? We have a Congress that is at least trying, and IMO we should let them try before we start throwing rocks at them.

I'm just saying it's too early to start condemning them. Wait until after the summer is gone first. Just because there has been no movement on some of the things yet doesn't mean they have no intention of tackling the issue. There's a helluva lot on their plates - maybe more than in any other Congress in history.

[RestoreGore]

23. Excuse me, but I think I can state my opinion any time I choose

Impeach the traitors, then you will restore the Constitution. You can't do it any other way, and these PR pitches to now restore what some of them voted to take away in the first place doesn't work with me anymore. They will restore nothing as long as they continue to suport Bush being in that White House.

[EstimatedProphet]

25. Well then, your real option is revolution, as was stated downthread

If you really believe that the time in this Congress has been enough to address the issues you are talking about, and that in not being addressed there is proof that this Congress is unwilling or unable to do anything, then you should be calling for revolution. You cannot talk about Congress being ineffective in an unrealistic time period and simultaneously talk about legal means to effect the changes you want.

Calling for an impeachment right now, before impeachment hearings have begun, is simply not possible. The procedure requires investigations first. Should we force impeachment through Congress and open up the country to an expansion of freeperism? They would actually be justified in complaints then, because we would be violating the process. I want an impeachment, but I want it done right, watertight, solid, and then no one can complain about it. If we mess it up we give the Government back to the Repigs for the next generation.

[RestoreGore]

32. Where did I state any of this in the OP?

Did I state it ALL should have been done already? No, I did not. However, there has definitely been enough time passed to at least call for the repeal of those bills I mentioned, but it has not even been mentioned. And while I am not of the mind to call for Revolution I will tell you this: should we come down to this time next year and still be at the same stage or worse, we may not have to call for it. It may be upon us.

[EstimatedProphet]

39. What you did say, is that it should be done NOW

NOW. Right NOW. Maybe you didn't realize that that may come across as if you believe that these things should already have been done.

I agree with you that they have to be addressed. I just don't think it is a realistic approach to expect it without several months work.

I also agree with you about the revolution statement, unfortunately. I would like to see the system work first, but if it doesn't...

[RestoreGore]

46. Well, you don't think repealing these bills should be addressed now?

It actually should have been the first order of business. What is wrong with stating it should be addressed NOW? They are UNCONSTITUTIONAL and the longer it takes to address it the further down this country slips.

[EstimatedProphet]

48. That's my point

Like it or not, these things are politically charged. If we come in looking like we are going after our own agenda, even if it is a worthy agenda, we will be alienating a lot of people. Then we won't be able to get anything done.

[Skidmore]

26. I think the OP does understand, and moreover, understands

that some of the very people now cautiously putting their big toes in the water of change are the very ones whose votes helped get it in this shape. Imperious, I think now. It is the only thing to do that is the right thing to do. A little more vigilance and a lot more integrity exercised back when, and we would never have to have dealt with this trainwreck.

[RestoreGore]

28. Thank you

Which is why I question the change of heart, and believe on the part of many that it is all for political expedience. Even suggesting that the troops be pulled out late 2008 now instead of as soon as possible. Hmm, isn't there an "election" right about then? And just how many people will die in the meantime? But as I and I am sure many know, "politics" is not about exercising integrity and vigilance, for if it were, we wouldn't be at this juncture now.

[EstimatedProphet]

30. I don't agree

The fact is, all of these things take time and effort. The reason the Congress didn't address intensely-charged hotbutton issues like the Military Commissions Act or the Patriot Act yet is because it isn't feasible to do so. The only way those things will be addressed successfully is to build coalitions and support within Congress, and it takes a lot of time and energy to do so. Congress could have started with them and then they would have accomplished not one thing so far, would still be working on them, and would have squandered all their political prowess and the will of the people anyway - count on that. Saying that these things have to be done NOW, OR ELSE, is just not realistic after a 2 month period. I want them done too, but I want them done in a way that will make the Democratic party look successful again, and not fools.

[Skidmore]

35. How do you not look foolish when you are

complicit in GIVING away the power of the congress? When your votes contributed to it? I'm sorry, but I'm less forgiving for those who have so sold the nation out. My advice to Gephart and Daschle is don't even think about ever running for national office and asking for my vote. The cynical and cavalier manner in which they attempted to sweep the IWR vote under the carpet makes me furious when I think about it.

[EstimatedProphet]

41. I agree they look foolish

I don't agree we should compound that by trying to blast through a whole pack of politically-charged agenda items.

[RestoreGore]

15. They have allowed it and enabled it much longer than that

And you can laugh all you want, but it isn't funny. And where did I state I was hopeless? Would I be here if I was? I AM ANGRY and I have every right to be. As I stated in the OP, if they repeal the acts I mentioned, IMPEACH these traitors which will give us back our Constitution ( but unfortunately not our soul,) they will be on the way to restoring my faith. But of course, don't veer the conversation that way... just criticize the valid disillusionment with them on the whole that is now felt by a large portion of this country, including Al Gore who stood up and told them that they need to fulfill their oaths regardless of party. Why the hell do you think he made that speech in January 2006? Just to hear himself talk?

[The Doctor.]

29. You should perhaps look at exactly WHO I was responding to

before getting so defensive.

It wasn't you.

[RestoreGore]

34. Sorry

Hard to follow sometimes.

[The Doctor.]

36. LOL... lost in the fray. Been there.

[OneBlueSky]

2. it's all about the $$$$$ . . . as long as corporate powers are calling the shots . . .

by funding election campaigns, nothing much is going to change . . .

[RestoreGore]

4. There you have it

The military industrial complex.... But is stronger than the people? I guess only we can answer that question.

[leftchick]

6. and the DLC and AIPAC

along with the corporate bucks.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EstimatedProphet]

21. You start.

[shield20]

43. Maybe, but considering the country is 50/50

with regards to what they believe, who will the "new" govt answer to? Revolution, then civil war.

We need to start electing "people", not politicans.

[n2doc]

Republics have been working on their plan for 40+ years

And lets face it, our country has been trending conservative for that time. Lots of reasons for that. Lots of Pols in the Democratic Party who will fight us also. It is gonna be a long long hard struggle to reverse that. It took the great depression to start the modern Liberal movement, and we haven't seen anything that shocking to the average american yet.

I fully understand your frustration. In a just world they would all be on trial now. But it ain't a just world-we have to fight to make it so. And fight for as long as it takes. And keep fighting to keep whatever gains we get.

[n2doc]

10. dupe delete n/y

[zanne]

12. It's been two months.

We had twelve years of a Republican congress. I like this one better.

[kiahzero]

13. Nice ideas... any plan for implementing them?

Oh, that's right... you'd rather tilt at windmills than get anything accomplished.

[RestoreGore]

18. I'm already trying. What are you doing? n/t

[kiahzero]

22. I'm trying as well.

However, I don't think attacking our representatives in Congress is a particularly good tactic. :shrug:

[RestoreGore]

24. Oh yes, that's what England said about the Founding Fathers as well

Not a good tactic regarding what? Exercising my first amendment rights? Are you going to report me to Homeland Security? And please, "attacking?" Now American citizens cannot even express frustration with this system that has done nothing but bring us closer to the abyss? This OP was a list of my grievances. It is my right as an American citizen to protest my government regardless of party when I believe they are not serving the best interests of this Constitution. Such a shame that a sincere expression is now seen as "attacking." And here I thought that mentality was only seen in goosestepping Republicans.

[kiahzero]

27. You're funny

I don't know whether you're trying to be or not, but you are. :shrug: I like the leap: pointing out that your methods are counterproductive to achieving your goals somehow morphs into trying to repress you.

You're absolutely free to express your opinion that this Congress has failed and make all sorts of ultimatums. I merely seek to explain that doing so will only work against your goal to actually get things accomplished... that is, if you were in a position to give ultimatums that mattered. Since you aren't, and you're basically howling at the moon, it just serves to make you look silly and shrill.

[RestoreGore]

38. Well if that's the case it wouldn't be so important for you to respond to me in this thread

I will take my "shrillness" as you call it over others' SILENCE any day.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

31. ROFLMAO!!!!! "Blah Blah Blah NOW, Blah Blah Blah NOWWW, Blah Blah Blah Blah NOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!"

Tell ya what: How bout you mail your magic wand to Congress so that they can have the tool necessary to do everything you want "NOW!". I mean, you must have one right?

[RestoreGore]

37. Were you defending it before 2006?

because I was saying this exact thing to Congress then too. But it is so amazing how some only think Congress is great when their party is "in charge." This Congress (as a whole) has been derelict in their duties for YEARS, and any American with any sense of concern for where this country is going understands that.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

40. I Didn't Say Congress Is Great Now That We're In Charge, Now Did I.

But if you are going to issue expectations along the lines of "Blah blah blah NOW! Blah blah blah blah NOWWWWWWW blah blah blah blah NOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!", then I can only expect that you either own some magic wand that can cause that to occur or you know where they can get one.

[shield20]

44. Great articulation! And for the most part agree..

If there are more then a handful of representatives FROM BOTH SIDES who remember who they work for (and why), AND act like it, I would be VERY surprised. All this crop of politicans care about is increasing THEIR power and THEIR pocketbooks. I have NOT seen/heard from many who are to the contrary. They say whatEVER they think will get them elected, and DO nothing for THE PEOPLE in the long run. ALL rights are OURS, NOT theirs to control and hand out as they see fit.

[SlowDownFast]

45. Well, perhaps you should secretly videotape

Waxman or Conyers while badgering them as to why they don't pull our troops out tomorrow, and then broadcast their frustrated responses on YouTube.

You might just get to be on Hardball and espouse your 'views' nationwide.


Idiot
Noun

1. A person of subnormal intelligence.

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.


Date "idiot" was first used: some time in the early 14th century. (references)

Etymology: Idiot \Id"i*ot\, noun. French expression idiot, from Latin expression idiota an uneducated, ignorant, ill-informed person, Greek, also and originally, private person, not holding public office, from proper, peculiar. See Idiom. (Websters 1913)


Liberal
Noun

1. A person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties.

2. A person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets.

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.


Date "liberal" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1258. (references)

[RestoreGore]

47. No thank you

The corporate media sucks, and I have principles.