 |
|
Add to My Group
|
November 17, 2008 at 16:27:05
Six-Point Plan to Restore Respect to Congress From Dismal 12-23% Approval, Lower Than Bush by Robert Weiner Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
|
|
(from Roll Call) Despite the historic aspects of the presidential election, Congress continues its dismal reputation among voters. A Fox poll November 2 showed an 18%-75% approve-disapprove job rating for Congress, with other polls just as bad or worse. CBS/New York Times recorded 15%-75% October 29, NBC/Wall Street Journal an even more bottom-dwelling 12%-79% October 20, and only AP (23%-74%, Oct. 20), and CNN (23%-76%, Oct. 5) even reflect an approval in the 20's. Regardless of the natural inclination to blame the Administration-in-power for these horrific numbers and to say the approximately 20-seat House Democratic pickup and six or more Senate show Republicans are the root cause, the approval numbers spread the wealth to both sides almost equally. While it is true that President Bush now ranks at a historic all-time low of 24% approval according to CNN, the Harris poll completed September 21 shows that 21% rate the job Democrats in Congress are doing as "excellent" or "pretty good", whereas 75% say "only fair" or "poor". Republicans actually did a point better: 22% versus 74%. However, among congressional "leaders", Democrats do a bit better than their counterparts. When asked "Do you approve or disapprove the way Democratic leaders in Congress are handling their job?", respondents in the CNN poll October 5 were 34%-64% approve-disapprove for Democratic leaders, and 27%-71% for Republicans. For those of us who have worked on the Hill for a major part of our lives, and for Members of Congress who devote themselves to the institution, these numbers are not only distressing but shocking. We all want Congress to be looked up to as an honored bulwark of democracy where youth ought to aspire to work as staff or even be elected, and parents should encourage their children to see Congress as a high and honored career.
Leaders on both sides of the House and Senate--including Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Jim Clyburn, and John Boehner, and Senators Harry Reid, Richard Durban, and Mitch McConnell--all have spent their lives in devotion to the institution of the Congress. Clearly, they want it to succeed in the public's eyes. There are some steps they could take to restore enthusiasm for Congres
First, downplay the regular biennial battles over who chairs which committees and who wins which open leadership posts. Those fights have occurred before and will again and again--they happen in every congress and are part of a democratic process. Don't let the November 10 Wall Street Journal headline be right that "Rift Over Key Committee Post Threatens to Distract Democrats from Agenda."-
Second, in a closed caucus, Leadership should say to all members of both parties in both chambers: End the corruption NOW. Explain to all members that the message from Foley to Stevens to Jefferson, and earlier from Rostenkowski to Delay, is horrendous to the public's and our children's perception of the institution. Just quit it--no more illegal gifts, trips, or illicit sex--you are and must act like the role models we all want to be.
Third, enact realistic bills in the early Administration agenda--such as an economic recovery and jobs plan, S-Chip (state children's health care), stem cell research, and an Iraq timeline guideline (with maneuverability) paralleling the Iraqi government's goals. However, agendas too are a regular occurrence and much of them are regularly enacted. The Republican leadership under Newt Gingrich passed the "Contract for America"- in 1995 and the Democratic-led House under Reps. Pelosi and Hoyer passed virtually every promised bill in early 2007. Without public perception of success, it does not change the approval numbers for Congress as a whole if the minority unjustifiably blasts and gets coverage for inaccurately alleging a "do-nothing Congress". That hurts everyone. It's time for a restoration of the civility and effectiveness of the Tip O'Neill-Bob Michel congress of the 70's and 80's.
Thus, fourth, and a critical piece, is enhanced public awareness outreach for the good things Congress does in fact do. A far more aggressive television, radio, print, and internet campaign including regular leadership opeds, interviews, and appearances emphasizing the positive congressional agenda would be enormously helpful.
Fifth, cutting the last two year's record 94 filibusters, cloture blocks, and vetoes of bills including on Iraq, health care, and energy will help--and the reduction will occur naturally with the higher majority numbers and Democratic president. The Republicans should improve bills instead of resorting to campaign rhetoric blasting one-party-rule. Likewise, Democrats must respect and encourage Republican involvement in bill drafting.
Finally, the House and Senate should hold joint or separate hearings or if necessary, create a new Blue Ribbon Commission on Steps to Restore the Reputation of Congress, generate a public report, and then do what the recommendations say. The hearings or commission should have, as witnesses or members, leaders of both parties and other expert and regular Americans.
With effort, Congress can return to its intended lofty role as the people's leaders.
Before spending six years in the White House, Robert Weiner worked on Capitol Hill for sixteen years for Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Claude Pepper (D-FL), Ed Koch (D-NY), and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA). He now heads a public affairs and issue strategies group. Rebecca Vander Linde assisted in researching this article.
www.weinerpublic.com
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
 Contact Author |
Contact Editor |
 View Authors' Articles |
|
|
|
|
| 7 comments |
|
One Huge Reason
One of the main things Congress could do to begin restoring credibility with the people is to hold impeachment hearings. The vast majority among us continue to see the crimes committed by Bush/Cheney and are appalled at the fact nothing is being done to stop them. This not only makes Congress look inept, but even complicit in these acts of criminality. by Dennis Kaiser (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 730 comments [137 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 5:44:59 AM  (0+)
|
|
Reply: Impeachment strategy and backlash
Dennis, by Robert Weiner (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2 comments) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 5:56:35 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: You're Right????
Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000168 EndHTML:0000002033 StartFragment:0000000489 EndFragment:0000002016 Robert, You're right! It's much better to stress to all that the more heinous the crime the easier it is to get away with it. These people have not only committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes against our democracy (isn't that treason?), defied our judicial system, bankrupt our country, and only hearings may have exposed more. But, to hold such hearings would have, as you point out, reinforced the fact of what the Rovian strategy of telling the public the Democrats are mean spirited every time they bring out wrong doings. Not holding impeachment hearings also allows historians to inform future generations how great the Bush/Cheney regime was to the history of our nation. This will be reinforced by the number of institutions named after George W Bush (a prime tactic of the Republicans). To the present generations about all that is learned is that people in power can commit any crime, just don't let them get caught receiving a blow job. No, Nancy Pelosi is obstructing justice. by Dennis Kaiser (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 730 comments [137 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 10:53:36 AM (0+)
|
|
And just who will enact these changes?
Dismal ratings such as these point out only one thing: people have near zero faith in government, Democratic or Republican and rightly so. We have a government that masquerades as "peoples servants" when in fact they expose themselves as shills for corporate masters, and the public is starting to see right through this charade. You state: "Leaders on both sides of the House and Senate--including Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Jim Clyburn, and John Boehner, and Senators Harry Reid, Richard Durban, and Mitch McConnell--all have spent their lives in devotion to the institution of the Congress. Clearly, they want it to succeed in the public's eyes. There are some steps they could take to restore enthusiasm for Congress." Please explain to me how spending your entire life in Congress equates to wanting something to succeed? If you spent your entire life there, aren't you responsible for what happens? It obviously would have already succeeded if they've spent their entire careers trying to make it work, right? My contention is they couldn't care less what's in the "public's eye," unless it's the wool they keep pulling over them. They're there for only one reason, to make sure they remain there. And all your proposals are all fine and well, but who do you think is going to enact them? These same cretins that have over their careers earned their dismal ratings? Why should they? They screw-up, hold rigged elections and get returned over and over again with no threat of being held accountable tfor their self-serving decisions. So, please, we can give all the commonsense solutions we want, but unless we have people in office that we can hold immediately accountable for not following our proposals, what chance do you think they'll be enacted? Does anyone think these leopards are going to change their spots and suddenly start doing the right thing because we give them a "wish list"? You want solutions and change? Good. When the bottom falls-out of our economy and millions of people are standing in FEMA breadlines push for real election reform and 3rd Party candidates that aren't bought and sold shills for corporate Wall St crooks and international banksters. Because until we break the stranglehold of a near totally discredited and corrupt government we'll never see the proposals you suggest enacted. by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 9:22:04 AM (0+)
|
|
just quit it, now!
Not at all realistic. Though most would agree with your recommendations, they are simply not going to happen. With one party now in control of congress and the executive, after being out for 8 years, would be too much to expect from these folks. An example of some commitment to reform would be for them to enact legislation to allow single issue bills, only. No more bridges to nowhere, or museums in anywhere, unless those expenditures are passed on their own merits. Chances of this happening??????? 0. by sommers (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 174 comments [38 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 10:55:10 AM (0+)
|
|
Not the most politically skilled
That's me. The problem as I see it, however, is that politics has evolved to the point where these professional politicians have become so good at it, trying (and succeeding) to be all things to all people, that nothing gets done and the country's coming apart. I understand the political argument for not impeaching; it would be counter-productive, a distraction. Democrats have been licking their chops these last eight years waiting for the Republicans to self destruct, waiting for their turn at a filibuster proof majority, so they can repeat all the mistakes the Republicans have made, forcing their agenda on the other half of the country. And while this strategy might have worked for the Democrat party, it comes at what expense to the country? So I believe I understand the argument and the strategy, the politics, but I vehemently disagree. When crimes were committed, blatant Constitutional and murderous crimes, high crimes, except for a handful of true heros and patriots who rightfully spoke out and took a stand, the Democrats, by enlarge, looked the other way. This makes them complicit and un-American and not to be trusted. It's similar to the great Ted Kennedy - Chappaquidic coverup. His lying will never go away and it shouldn't. History will not forget Bush or the Democrats who allowed him to prevail. So what do we do about it? Where and when high crimes have been committed we must have, insist on, thorough investigation. Everything else has to take second place. Go for the jugular. We are being bamboozled by Pelosi and other anti-Americans in power to think otherwise. When Government cheats or does wrong and we let it get away with it, that's our moral leadership flushing down the toilet. We must hold our government to a higher standard. REAL HOPE AND CHANGE STARTS WITH REAL INVESTIGATIONS. 9/11, IRAQ, the BAILOUTS. No pardons. We cannot continue to reward failures. These are rich, powerful friends helping rich, powerful friends stay in power in spite of their massive failures. Seems to me that for whatever reason, the big three have proved unable to compete. End of story. Time to move on with fresh, new ideas and new leadership. Accept no pardons. by Nick van Nes (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 596 comments [150 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 12:03:49 PM (0+)
|
|
If we are to ever
have faith in government again, and our political parties in particular,we must impeach, select special prosecutors, hold hearings, conduct investigations, have trials and jail those found guilty. The Democrats have spent 8 years sweeping stuff under the rug. They have been complicit, involved in collusion with the Republicans and have seriously lost the faith of the public. No more sweeping criminality under the rug for the convenience of the crooks. by Jack Harrington (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 678 comments [70 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 8:00:36 PM (0+)
|
Want to post your own comment on this Article? 
|
||||
|
||||||||||||||
Must Read (0) 
Well Said (0) 
News (0) 
Touching (0) 
Funny (0) 
Supported (0) 
Interesting (0) 
Inspiring (0) 
Valuable (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell a Friend:
|
Copyright © 2002-2009, OpEdNews |
