Stuck in the Politics
February 22nd, 2008. Published under General. 2 Comments.
This is probably the first election season where I’m not just completely disgusted with the outlook for the candidates that are available. I caucused. I friggin’ CAUCUSED.
As a self-proclaimed hater of politics. This is huge.
Think of what you will about the Democratic candidates, but this article on the Daily Kos where someone really dug in and researched both candidates “experience” in the Senate is pretty enlightening. It’s not slanted too heavily in favor of one or the other - but it’s more of a logical and clinical look at just exactly what each candidate has done in the Senate. Go read it and make your own conclusions. But, I think you can see from the above photo, which way I’m leaning.
Another thing that shines in that article is how exhausted it makes me feel to think just how tedious and frustrating being in Congress must be. All that work, and very little to show for it. And people want to tell you the system isn’t broken. Perhaps that’s just the way it is and I’m too naive to realize that.
Interesting to say the least.
2 Comments
Carolyn on February 22nd, 2008
You make an excellent point about the nut-jobs, Angie. But a lot of things that AREN’T that crazy…for example stuff for transportation, health care, etc…also fall by the wayside. I mean, that’s why there’s a majority vote needed to pass these things…checks and balances and stuff.
I just don’t know why so many not-so-crazy things never see the light of day!
Angie on February 22nd, 2008
Having spent 6 years working for the U.S. Congress, I can tell you that it is incredibly tedious and very very difficult to get anything of substance through both houses and signed by the President. I don’t, however, think that means that the system is broken. Sometimes, it’s a good thing that some of the crazier ideas don’t actually become law. Honestly, most of the time members of congress introduce legislation knowing full well that it will never even get a hearing, much less become law. They do it get media attention and to have something to tell the folks back home — “I introduced a bill . . . I tried to get things done . . . blah blah blah.” There are roughly 10,000 bills introduced every session of Congress. Maybe 1,000 of those receive some sort of consideration in a committe hearing. Maybe 500 of those make it to the floor for a vote, and less than half will pass. Deliberative government isn’t pretty or fun, but it does protect us from the nutjobs.