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Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Off To A Bad Start?

Okay,

I haven't finished the article yet, so I don't know how it ends. BUT, it doesn't sound so hot. According to the Washington Post, the first plan of action for the Democratic Party's first 100 hours in power is to power through their legislation without consulting the opposition party.

As they prepare to take control of Congress this week and face up to campaign pledges to restore bipartisanship and openness, Democrats are planning to largely sideline Republicans from the first burst of lawmaking.

House Democrats intend to pass a raft of popular measures as part of their well-publicized plan for the first 100 hours. They include tightening ethics rules for lawmakers, raising the minimum wage, allowing more research on stem cells and cutting interest rates on student loans.

But instead of allowing Republicans to fully participate in deliberations, as promised after the Democratic victory in the Nov. 7 midterm elections, Democrats now say they will use House rules to prevent the opposition from offering alternative measures, assuring speedy passage of the bills and allowing their party to trumpet early victories.


From The Washington Post

Don't get me wrong, I love throwing mud in Republican eyes as much, if not more, than anybody. Still...democracy is democracy...and this, no matter how satisfying and convenient, is not right.

The Republicans have been governing like greedy, spoiled children for the past 6 years. We, as Democrats, MUST take the high road and show the nation that we play fair. As important as it is to solve practical problems as soon as possible, it is even more important to steady our wobbling democratic form of government.

Comments?

Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/01/AR2007010100784.html?referrer=email

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

yes, i am a believer in teaching by example. this eye for an eye behavior is getting old. and so... well, high school. the drama, the tears, the name calling, the class bullies. gag me with a spoon and like grow up, ya know?

Anonymous said...

I agree in the Lead by example approach, but if the Republicans don't cooperate on some crucial issues, like minimum wage and ethics reform... perhaps dems should take the role of a parent putting their foot down to set things straight before we let the spoiled brats participate again. Of course, this is a time of goodwill toward bipartisanship, and it would be a shame to waste the opportUnity.

Alex said...

To me, it is very simple. The question really is: what are we fighting for? What is MOST important to us? To me, the answer is, Democracy, plain and simple. For too long in the last 10 years, the party of the loyal opposition (the Democrats), have been treated like traitors and outcasts, despite the fact that they were duly elected representitives of the American people.

Now, we have an opportunity to reverse this trend, so that when we are in opposition again, we will not have to suffer so.

Instead, we are using the Gringich-Delay tactics. These will, inevitably be turned on us again in future.