Well said, Marti!

Marti, thank you for such a good post. It's really important that all this be said, in public. And I hope that people will continue to write open letters and opinions, because as public sentiment gains steam, Congress has to listen, if they want to save their seats in office.

Regarding:

"In the end, it may be time for a third political party to form; one not afraid to rock the boat, to shake up the status quo.  We need individuals who not only know what the problems are but who are willing to speak about them and fight to repeal these insidious attempts to dismantle our country. "

 I think that party is We, the People,  who are the forgotten first branch of government. Forgotten not only by Congress, but by we ourselves. A government of the people, by hte people and for the people makes us the powerful ones, not those who feel so powerful and whose job really is to serve the people. IF We, the People claim back our power as the first branch of government, with the duty to put a check/balance on the Legislative and Executive branches alike, becoming as vocal as we ever could be, I think we may have a very different picture here in the USA.

I think we all feel understandably discouraged, thinking that our voice won't count. But when the greater masses all chime in, typically Congress has listened. Or at least pretended to for a while, then backed out as the Dems have done. But note that in order to get into a position of power, they also had to cater to the people. Because they want to be re-elected.

Therefore, in order to preserve their seats in office, they also have to cater to us. 

IF We the People start checking out the Congressional voting record and bringing it out into the open, in letters to the editor and articles et al, then Congress won't be able to get away with so much.

We the People also won't be fools as you have pointed out. Example: Democrats and Republicans alike, and by huge overwhelming majority, voted for the Patriot Act not once, but twice. To expect such fascists as they clearly are to suddenly change is wrong. Instead, the thing to do would have been to first know the voting history of each local Senator/Representative, then expose it publicly, decry it or support it as the case may be, and urge readers to vote accordingly. 

End fascist overtaking of America. 

We the People have the power to check the Congressional voting record and to publicize it. When made public, politicians may begin to think twice about their future actions, realizing that they can't fool us with sweet talk and that we will be watching the way they walk. Dynamo, let's go! 

by Kathryn Smith (93 articles, 2 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 361 comments) on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 11:19:56 AM
 

Democratic majority?

Will someone please tell the Democrats they are the majority in Congress?

Marti, you have done a masterful job of telling it exactly like it is (your forte, of course.) 

No one needs to fear reprisals for inciting rebellion.  The rebellion is on; the evidence is all around us, if you will only look.

People are retreating to a cash and barter economy.  The Blogosphere seethes with rapier-like insight and discontent.  Attendance at political functions has tripled and quadrupled over previous records.

Flash!  Parts of the mainstream press are even showing signs of shaking off their lethargy and emerging from their coma.

Keep up the good fight, Marti.  Together, we can win this one.

by Dan Martin (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 1:09:41 PM
 

This is an important issue

and one being lost amid the hubbub of the democratic primary. With both sides hurling accusations like mad, distorting the record and calling anything that gives any credibility to the opponent a lie, it is important to ask whether it makes a damn bit of difference in the first place.

Perhaps there will be a kinder, gentler government under a Democratic President, heck it would be hard to imagine a worse administration than this current one. Yet I see no great hope ( and no that isnt an Obama reference) that these two centrists will be likely to push a progressive agenda or a democratic legislature to do so either. Both of them, despite the almost pathetically blind allegiance being shown, are , by voting record and by speech and book, corporatists of thr first magnitude. Both will perpetuate the worst sort of denial of that which the people require in favor of that which the CEO's demand of them.

Unless and until we see that this two party system offers us no real change, only cosmetics, we will remain in dire need of a third way.

by ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments) on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 4:25:40 PM
 

Our work is far from over

We did elect a comfortable majority in the House and even that must be increased.  However, we were able to accomplish only an even split in the Senate.  The House cannot get anything past the Senate without there being a 60% majority there, too.  Anything the House might pass gets bottled up in the Senate where the members are ever mindful of futility of trying to oppose the President inasmuch as he will either veto or gut the measure with his "signing statements".

It does not matter which party holds the presidency unless we can gain larger majorities in both house and unless those people are willing to stand up and over-ride vetoes as well as forcing an end to the signing statements and ignoring of their wishes by the executive branch, by impeachment if necessary.

We must not be so distracted by the presidential contest that we forget our concentration on the Congress.

by Mary Pitt (65 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 177 comments) on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 12:12:10 PM
 

True

I agree with you on this.  We actually don't have the majority in the senate though as Leiberman is just one short move away from caucusing with the Republicans.  Although I doubt he will survive another election as either a Democrat or an Independent. 

All of this means nothing in the greater scheme of things, as congress is virtually and for all intents and purposes, no longer relevent.  Jsut a huge siphon on the taxpayers. 

As Leiberman typically votes with the Republicans, and suports whatever comes out of the administration, the senate is actually split to the Republican side.

As most of the egregious laws and illgal actions have been conducted outside the scope of congress, who votes and on what issues is severely limited.  All the trade treaty's relabeled as "agreements" are an example of this bypassing of congress.

As for the elections, there is no one left to vote for.  All three major candidates in the running are for open borders, REAL ID, the North American Union, and furthering the mass illegal immigration into this country.

We need a third party dedicated to our own preservation.   

by Marti Oakley (19 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 57 comments) on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 12:23:46 PM
 

Glimmer of Hope

For nearly eight years the Republicans in Congress have behaved quite irresponsibly. In particular, they have ignored the fact that they have any responsibilities for oversight over the executive branch. Even today when public opinion so clearly disapproves of their irresponsible behavior, they are more than willing to block attempts by Democrats to perform any such oversight.

In fact the Republican agenda is to block Democrats in Congress from accomplishing anything under the theory that this will show voters that, just like Republicans, Democrats can't accomplish anything. It is clear from the appearance of so many articles like this one that they are succeeding in selling this propaganda. It also seems clear that Democrats in Congress have done little to counteract this obstructionism on the part of Republicans or to make the public aware that it is happening.

I still cling to the hope that if we can elect a true majority (i.e., 60%) in the Senate as well as a majority in the House, then the Congress can and will assert its authority.

For now the Senate Republicans have enough of a presence that they can and will block any move to assert authority over the executive branch. Until the Congress is willing and able to assert its authority, the president will continue to act without restraint.

I fear that Congressional authority over the next president will be almost as important as it is over this one.

by PrMaine (10 articles, 8 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 341 comments) on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 10:39:40 AM
 

I have no hope

I would love to believe that with a solid Democrat majority  things would change and we would revert to a well-regulatd and controlled government that acts on behalf of the people, rather than corporations or the elite.  Sadly, I have done too much research, followed congressional voting closely and have come to realize that even the Democrats are part of the efforts to dismantle our country.

There is no longer a "two-party " system.  It has simply devolved into a one party facilitating enterprise.   

by Marti Oakley (19 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 57 comments) on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 12:56:04 PM
 

Improvements Do Not Come in Giant Leaps

I would love to believe that with a solid Democrat (sic) majority things would change and we would revert to a well-regulated and controlled government that acts on behalf of the people, rather than corporations or the elite.

That certainly would be expecting a lot from just a Democratic majority, but I do think such a majority could bring about the more limited objective of a resumption of oversight and a return to a more responsible government.

As for a more responsive and populist government, I think that would take a major reform of campaign financing, a major reform of media and a much more engaged and active electorate.

by PrMaine (10 articles, 8 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 341 comments) on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 2:23:57 PM
 

Why not?

Improvements do not come in gigantic leaps? Why not? The destruction of our country is coming in gigantic leaps.....there seems to be not any true efforts to slow down our demise.

It will take gigantic leaps to change things. We cannot allow ourselves to be convinced that change must occur slowly......

The longer we allow these transgressions to continue the harder it will be to undo them. The longer these things continue the more accepted they will become as status quo.

We must effect change even more swiftly than we allowed the infringements.

Just my opinion.

by Marti Oakley (19 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 57 comments) on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 2:31:45 PM
 

Bon Chance

I certainly hope you or someone else can bring about such a giant leap. 

Just keep in mind that the worst enemy of the good often is the perfect. 

by PrMaine (10 articles, 8 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 341 comments) on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 4:45:36 PM
 

Not looking for perfect

I am not looking for perfect.....just to a return to a more rational and less controlling system of government.   

I have been very active in trying to fight back against all that has happened and am met constantly by comments such as "There's nothing you can do about it......They're just doing it to protect us from an attack"  and other comments that really translate into "I'm just too damn lazy or scared to stand up and be counted!"

I would rather try and fail than to roll over and acquiesce to what I know is wrong.   

by Marti Oakley (19 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 57 comments) on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 5:13:07 PM
 

Good job, Marti

Once again, you've done a great job.

But once again I must say that while partisan politics may be the only game in town now, it won't be for too much longer.

The day will come when we will no longer be divided by competitors for the throne, and we'll no longer be ruled by a pretender to the throne who is beholden to the wealthiest one percent of the population that funds 80 percent of their political campaigns (whether they are Republicans or Democrats).

The day will come when we will actually share power in a truly democratic government that is truly of, by and for the people.

Impossible, you say? Not at all. It's our destiny. Just read this:

http://reformationcomingsoon.bravehost.com/PartisanPolitics.html 

by Ruth (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 182 comments) on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 8:17:06 PM
 

Vote for Nader

Plain and simple, I'm voting for Nader. If everyone who wants to vote for Nader but is afraid to do so, would have the guts to vote for him, he might get 15-20% of the vote. Then the Democrats would have to take notice.

by Deano (2 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 15 comments) on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 3:57:20 PM
 

But at What Cost

After four years of the McCain administration what will the Supreme Court look like?  An what about the wars in Afganistan, Iraq and Iran?

by PrMaine (10 articles, 8 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 341 comments) on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 7:10:29 AM