It's the voters fault

[csquare]

Don't know how many of you saw this, but on “Meet the Press” this past weekend, host David Gregory peppered a bipartisan panel of senators and representatives about the deplorable state of irresponsibility in the nation's capital. Without a hint of irony, Rep. Barney Frank, D-MA & Fannie Mae, offered this gem of accountability:

“Frankly, I think that part of the problem is the voters. You know, nobody in the Senate — well, a couple in the Senate — but nobody in the House parachuted in. And the voters have to be tougher. I don't think they hold us to a high enough standard.”

Everyone got that? The nation teeters on the brink of economic disaster, the result of a failure of oversight and regulation. Congress is doling out portions of the economic stimulus to special interests. The White House is letting the revolving door of insiders and lobbyists go supersonic.

And it's our fault, the voters. It's our fault. What an arrogant flaming A-hole!

[Saoirse]

Originally Posted by csquare

Don't know how many of you saw this, but on “Meet the Press” this past weekend, host David Gregory peppered a bipartisan panel of senators and representatives about the deplorable state of irresponsibility in the nation's capital. Without a hint of irony, Rep. Barney Frank, D-MA & Fannie Mae, offered this gem of accountability:

“Frankly, I think that part of the problem is the voters. You know, nobody in the Senate — well, a couple in the Senate — but nobody in the House parachuted in. And the voters have to be tougher. I don't think they hold us to a high enough standard.”

Everyone got that? The nation teeters on the brink of economic disaster, the result of a failure of oversight and regulation. Congress is doling out portions of the economic stimulus to special interests. The White House is letting the revolving door of insiders and lobbyists go supersonic.

And it's our fault, the voters. It's our fault. What an arrogant flaming A-hole!

CSquare...
I have to concur with his statement. Voters aren't tough enough and for several reasons:
1. People vote within their party lines, never looking at what the opposing candidate might have to say (even if it might be agreeable to them).
2. People vote for the same candidate over and over again (better the enemy you know than the one you don't)
3. People don't pay attention to ALL the issues on a candidates platforms, but look at other things i.e., "oh I like him he's so handsome"; "oh yeah, he's cool, saw him playing the saxophone, he's just like us"; "oh I will vote for him/her because they are African American, Indian American, Muslim American" blah blah blah (I think I am starting to gag here)
4. People do not vote using the slightest amount of intelligence.

I am sure there are other reasons why we can blame the American public. We can look at the last Presidential election and see that American voters (and probably those illegals that snuck in as well) have put us in the toilet.
WE do need to hold them to a high standard. But in our society now, a higher standard is a lower standard compared to how most of us grew up and what society was like "back in the day". IMMHO
I think if the American public got tougher on these sitting politicians and voted their butts out of office after a low standard term, then those coming on board to run for office would realize, "HEY, I better have my act together and do my job right!" If we kept doing that, eventually, we might have a government that would be "of the people and for the people" (instead for the lobbyists and their perspective companies/corporations, etc)! Unfortunately, that is a utopian dream....because people just don't pay attention anymore. IMO
I don't normally agree with any DEM....just not in my physiological make up () but this is one instance that I do agree. (OMG, where is my gun so I can shoot myself! )

[Peregrino]

I must respectfully disagree. I think he's absolutely right. In fact, I submit that his continued presence in Congress proves the point. An ignorant, complacent, disinterested, and uninvolved populace is the surest guarantor of inevitable tyrany. Chairman Mao said it best: "A people have the government they deserve." 65,000,000 voters drank the Kool-Aid; now we all live with the results. Anybody for a state by state campaign for a Constitutional Ammendment mandating term limits for ALL elected officials?

[Dozer523]

Originally Posted by Peregrino

I must respectfully disagree. I think he's absolutely right. In fact, I submit that his continued presence in Congress proves the point. An ignorant, complacent, disinterested, and uninvolved populace is the surest guarantor of inevitable tyrany. Chairman Mao said it best: "A people have the government they deserve." 65,000,000 voters drank the Kool-Aid; now we all live with the results. Anybody for a state by state campaign for a Constitutional Ammendment mandating term limits for ALL elected officials?

I FEEL your pain!
I felt the same way four years ago and eight years ago. Of course, the number was A LOT smaller then!
(Backing toward the door. . . )

[Richard]

Barney was being interviewed on the CBS Early Show this morning--what an oxygen thief. Listening to him talk is like listening to that beaver in The Lady and the Tramp cartoon movie.

However, as far as his statement on Meet The Press--he's absolutely correct. Term limits for politicians (except for the POTUS) are established by the voting public...and if the voters shirk that awesome responsibility...Voila!...it's the Barney, Harry, Nancy, Chris and Barry Show! Admission to the show is free...but watch out for the price of the 'snacks' and 'Flavor-aid' they're selling!

OTOH--I'll bet ol' Barney doesn't see himself as one of those incompetents who should be voted out of office, either.

Richard's $.02

[greenberetTFS]

Richard hit the nail on the head. Barney has no clue that he's part of the problem. This is why this situation won't go away.....................

GB TFS

[kgoerz]

I heard it put this way. The US Capital Building is like a Roach Motel, Politicians check in but never check out. Many years ago a Citizen was elected to Congress, left his Home Town, did his Term. Then returned to his Home Town. IMO, Term limits would solve the majority of our problems. What I see today Disgust me.

[Sten]

Originally Posted by kgoerz

I heard it put this way. The US Capital Building is like a Roach Motel, Politicians check in but never check out. Many years ago a Citizen was elected to Congress, left his Home Town, did his Term. Then returned to his Home Town. IMO, Term limits would solve the majority of our problems. What I see today Disgust me.

What would it take to get term limits? I never hear a regular person who is opposed to them.

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by csquare

Rep. Barney Frank...arrogant flaming A-hole!

I am learning not to drink anything while reading Csquare's posts. Very very disturbing imagery.

On the topic of voters' responsibility, a point that Frank appears not to have mentioned is the insidious practice of congressional redistricting. Using software, legislators can redraw the boundaries of their constituencies to exclude residents who might vote for a candidate of an opposing party. Add this practice to the advantages of incumbency, few congressional races in the House of Representatives are truly competitive.

An irony of Frank's statement is that he is acknowledging that he is not working as hard as he could: an admission that is as revealing as it is self destructive. Hopefully, a future opponent of Mr. Franks will run a television ad that juxtaposes Franks arguing that Fannie and Freddy did not need closer regulation (as the Bush administration requested) and this recent comment about voters.

[kgoerz]

Originally Posted by Sten

What would it take to get term limits? I never hear a regular person who is opposed to them.

Congress votes on Term Limits. So they would have to vote themselves out of Office, never going to happen. To many benefits and to much income in that worthless White Dome Building. No matter what corrupt Party has control.

[Radar Rider]

One of the weakest arguments that I've heard against term limits is that the voters can limit the terms of the politicians, and they should therefore not have a mandated limit. The problem that I have with that is that I can't vote for the opponent of Patricia Schroeder, Ted Kennedy, or Tip O'Neil.

The President is limited to two terms; the rest of the gang should be limited to 12 years (Two terms for a Senator, Six for a Representative).

I still can't figure out why Robert KKK Byrd is still in Washington; that dude is older than dirt.

[Sten]

Originally Posted by kgoerz

Congress votes on Term Limits. So they would have to vote themselves out of Office, never going to happen. To many benefits and to much income in that worthless White Dome Building. No matter what corrupt Party has control.

We need new founding fathers...

[bubba]

"We need new founding fathers..."


A little more SA on where you are posting (ie a open forum) and just whom might be reading this (ie the FBI etc.......).

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Radar Rider

One of the weakest arguments that I've heard against term limits is that the voters can limit the terms of the politicians, and they should therefore not have a mandated limit.

Kinda makes you wonder why the "Founding Fathers" set it up that way, does it? Perhaps you should read their arguments. Personally, I agree with their thinking behind this issue and am of the opinion that we don't need another amendment to the US Constitution in an effort to mandate something that should be a "cherished" duty as "responsibly educated" citizens and voters of a democratic republic. Unfortunately, pols like ol' Barney know how irresponsibly fickle the voting public can be, and cleverly use it to their benefit and our dismay...which inevitably leads to an expression of opinions fostering on-going arguments like this and the predictable call for quick reform. However, because I personally fear the inevitably far-reaching law of unintended consequences of such a reform, as a citizen, I prefer to have the power to 'limit' my pols as I see fit...and whether or how I choose to exercise that power or not is my choice, not theirs. Yet.

Richard's $.02

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Sten

We need new founding fathers...

Is this Newspeak revisionism from Oceania's Minitrue (Ministry of Truth)?

Richard's $.02