So, what has the 110th Congress accomplished? Not a whole hell of a lot that’s been good. They have capitulated to the executive branch on all things related to the Iraq War, including belatedly excusing some of the most egregious lapses of legal action ever undertaken by a president and his administration. They have continued to allow unfettered waste of taxpayer dollars, they have emboldened our Lunatic-in-Chief in his quest to spread his “democracy building project” into Iran, and they have helped create this country’s largest ever deficit.

But wait- they haven’t done nothing…

Out of a total 260 laws this Congress has passed, 74 separate laws that had the effectof them were the naming of post offices. And they’ve been very busy passing non-binding resolutions, including one that declared soil an “essential resource” and another to congratulate the UC-Irvine volleyball team.

From Parade Magazine:

Rep. John Shimkus (R., Ill.) introduced a resolution to recognize June 30 as National Corvette Day. “It’s probably not the best use of our time,” he says, “but we have to do something. These resolutions make it look like we’re working.”

Shimkus blames the Democrats for failing to introduce more substantive legislation. Democrats, in turn, blame Republicans for blocking key votes, contending that Senate Republicans have attempted a record number of filibusters this session.

Enough of this bullshit already! We tossed out the Republicans for (among the many things) driving this nation into the wallets of corporate war profiteers and energy barons. We should toss the damn Democrats now too for being such worthless enablers.

Too bad the two parties have so successfully eliminated any chance of other parties breaking their do-nothing monopoly. What this government needs is an enema! Or at the very least a new breed of politicians with a spine, a sense of stewardship and service, and who aren’t for sale to the highest bidder.

 (cross psoted at Bring It On!)

For the last year, the MSM has been non-stop in promoting its version of the general election: Clinton vs. Guiliani. Sure, other candidates have gotten their face time and exposure, but by and large, ever since they announced their candidacies, Clinton and Guiliani have “been the ones to beat,” at least so far as the media has been concerned. In Iowa at least, the media and the people are not necessarily of the same mind.

Selecting Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee in their primary caucus, Iowa pushed Clinton into 3rd place on the Democrat side of things and Guiliani down to 6th, after Ron Paul even, on the Republican ticket. Perhaps the days of media crowned politicians may finally be coming to an end? Too early to tell, but the signs from Iowa are encouraging.

For Democrats, Iowans chose Obama with 38% of the votes, followed by Edwards with 30% and Hillary with 29%. Republicans gave Huckabee a similar margin with 34% of the votes over Romney’s 25% and McCain and Thompson tying with 13% each.

These returns hold some promise for me personally. Promise in that Americans are finally seeming to come out of their self-induced apathy and are taking an active role in their government. If the 2006 mid-term elections were meant to be a wake-up call to the GOP and the president, then 2008 may well be a wake-up call to all the politicians. Clearly voters are less than happy with the path taken by the Democratic majority in Congress, at least as unhappy as with the GOP led debacle of the last 6 years. Their demand for change has gone unheard and unmet by the politicians and this primary makes it more clear than ever that status quo doesn’t cut it anymore.

Clinton and Guiliani are of the same mold as all the leadership in place now. Obama, Edwards, Huckabee and Romney at least appear to Iowans to show promise of a new direction for America, and voters of both parties are grabbing at that chance.

I like Obama and Edwards, much more than I do Clinton. So from a liberal perspective, I agree with Iowans tonight. And while I think that Huckabee is too religiously oriented for my taste, the last time we had an Arkansan in the White House, things weren’t all that bad.

Of course, one primary does not make a nomination, but already Dodd and Biden are throwing in the towel, and more are sure to follow in the coming days and weeks. The battle is just beginning, and with New Hampshire just ahead, this thing is wide open. But I’m glad to see that the first official contest wasn’t a coronation of media frontrunners or politicians who think they are entitled to and deserve the top job just because “it’s their turn and they’ve earned it.”

(cross posted at Bring It On!)

Democracy was supposed to change all that. Government by the people and so on. Maybe once-not anymore. The average citizen-politician died out when the major parties came to be, way back in the 19th century. National politics became a new elite class, with the rich funding their lapdogs and the lapdogs delivering to the rich, all so the lapdogs could feel powerful and the rich could keep getting richer. This is the rule, even though the exception of an average Joe breaking in isn’t unusual. Once inside though, Joe gets a new collar, and a new lapdog is born.

That’s not to say that populist revolts haven’t turned the reins of power over from one party to another. They have. Often. That’s the part of democracy that hasn’t really changed. Just because the politicians decided to warp the concept didn’t mean the people gave up their stake in the game. When one party goes too far, the public gives them a nudge out of first chair for a while. And when that happens, the people expect to be heard and for changes to be made.

In November 2006, American voters had another of their revolts, although this one was somewhat timid in scope. In turning the Congress over to the Democrats after a 12 year Republican leadership cycle, a majority of Americans said that the War in Iraq was their main concern. In clear voices, they told the Democrats that they could steer the ship, so long as they steered it out of Iraq. Democrats campaigned strongly on doing just that and were rewarded with an opportunity to prove themselves.

P.T. Barnum (or whomever really said it) is proved right again. In spades.

Six months into their new terms, Congressional Democrats have apparently thrown in the towel on Iraq. After talking tough about “no more blank checks for the president on Iraq” and saying that any more troop funding would have to include specific targets for ending the war, the Democrats in the Senate have caved in to a spoiled man-child who thinks negotiations consist of him stomping his feet and plugging his ears until everyone gets so fed up they say “Fine! Have it your way!” and leave the room.

First they sent a war funding bill that mandated troop withdrawal dates. The Crybaby in Chief vetoed it and the veto held. The Democrats should have simply stopped there and told the American people the truth-that the president would rather leave troops without funding than agree to take steps to end the war. Instead they once again got caught up in politics, playing themselves as defenders of the troops while backing away from anything that would demand for the war to end. What happened to the Democrats who said they’d end the war on the electin trail? Oh yeah…they got elected.

So now the Democrats have tossed out any restrictions on the president and offered him the funding he wants anyway. After only six months, they’ve waved the white flag. What a bunch of cowards.

And what is it they are afraid of? A president with an approval rating lower than liver and onions? An administration so wracked with scandal that people are tripping over themselves to plead the 5th? A public so tired of politicians and their bullshit that they’re actually giving up on the system? Or are they afraid of being unpopular, losing a few financiers, or maybe even getting called names on a blog somewhere? Or are they just afraid of losing their precious closeness to the ring of power?

In giving in to Bush on Iraq, Democrats have proven where their interests lie. With themselves. They are more afraid of having to defend against right-wing namecalling than do what is right, what they promised.

And all this in only six months. Shameful. So now they’re complicit too. By falling away so early in the game, the ruling Democrats are now accomplices in Bush’s futile war, willing partners you might say.

And if that isn’t enough to make you abandon the parties completely, I guess democracy really isn’t such a vibrant form of government after all.

(cross posted at Bring It On! )

With 62% of voters in exit polls saying that this election was about national issues, one has to assume that the people have finally chosen to wake up and smell the burning of our constitution and our tradition of freedom. With 42% saying that political corruption was a prime factor in their votes Tuesday, one has to assume that the people are fed up with the horseshit that passes for political leadership.

57% said that the war in Iraq was a key concern, while only 40% cited terrorism. These numbers clearly show that Americans no longer trust George Bush or the Republican party to guide the helm of our nation.

But that doesn’t mean they trust Democrats either. Overall, 62% of voters disapproved of Congress as a whole, hardly a rounding show of support for the Democrats. Again, it was the lesser of two evils for many voters.

But now the Democrats will have a House majority- at the very least. To which I can only say thank goodness. So today I rejoice at what has been halted, or at least seriously slowed down- a Republican juggernaut hell bent on destroying American honor, integrity, justice, and might. Tomorrow the work can begin.

(cross posted at Bring It On!)

But suppose the Democrats do win enough seats to become the majority party again? Will they finally tackle some of the core problems that have led to one of the most corrupt governments in our nation’s history? Will they have the sense of duty and stewardship and character to attack and end some of the most perverse aspects of ‘business as usual’ politics? Will they muster the courage to enact real ethics reform, reestablish real oversight, and reclaim their own political independence from the executive branch of government?

I can only hope that they will. K Street, on the other hand, and its plethora of lobbyists are hoping not. Long an established money changing operation between corporations and the Republican party machine, clients of K Street Lobbyist Firms are increasingly showing up at fundraisers for Democrats and are increasing their financial contributions to those running on the Democratic ticket. And while this does strengthen the idea that Democrats are in a viable position to win in November, it also shows how quickly the sharks move from one food source to another. Big Business loves the Republican party, especially in it’s current incarnation, but they also know to hedge their bets, and are gearing up to grease the hands of the other side. The question is whether or not the Democrats really want to change the way Congress is malfunctioning or whether they just want to hold the reins of power for a while.

In spite of the fact that I despise the current Republican agenda, it’s associated hypocritical politicians and their scandals, and the ruinous effects their party ‘s administration has had on American prestige, when I vote for a Democrat this November, I expect them to buck the status quo with an enlarged sense of duty, courage, and stewardship. I expect them to change the disasterous course we’ve been set upon, to enact real ethics reform, to reestablish real accountability, and to reclaim their independence from the executive branch.

I expect a changed plan of action in Iraq through new legislation revising the AUMF orders that began the Iraqi debacle.

I expect a national clean elections act similar to those in Arizona and Maine, to permanently reduce the influence of K Street and it’s spawns.

I expect enactment of the Read The Bills Act, The One Bill At A Time Act, and The Write The Laws Act which will mandate that elected officials actually read what they vote on, write the laws up for a vote (as opposed to an aide or a corporate employee), and limit all laws to single topics, making it impossible for unrelated legislation to be inserted at the last minute.

I expect a plan to address a universal health care system, a plan to decrease the trade and federal deficits, and a plan to restore the American job market through increased educational opportunities or reformations.

I expect a mature approach to international problems instead of posturing, pouting, and pre-emptive warring.

I expect a Congress that will perform rigorous oversight on public policy and international relations while investigating the failures borne out of a decade of looking the other way. I expect them to hold responsible any and all parties who have broken laws or behaved in an unethical manner without creating a circus atmosphere.

And finally, I expect a Congress that is not steeped in partisanship or religious pandering or machismo. I expect rationality, critical thinking, and progressive problem solving.

Maybe I expect too much, but I don’t expect anything we don’t deserve from our government. And I won’t be giving a Democratically controlled Congress any slack if they fail to live up to my expectations. I’ll be voting to change the direction. I damn well expect the rudder to move.

I was raised to believe that if you were going to judge someone it should be based on their deeds and their integrity. Even if you did not follow the same drummer down every path, so long as no one was harming someone else and so long as people used common sense, people should be afforded the same respect you would want for yourself.

I was raised in a Democratic family, more in name than in absolute doctrine though. I was taught to respect all people who treated others well. I was taught that religion or race were insufficient to judge a person. I was taught that sexual preference was irrevelant. I was taught that government should look out for the people first and foremost. And I was taught that politicians often were not what they pretended to be. But I was also taught that crime should be punished with more than a slap on the wrist. I was taught that taxes were not meant to be frittered away, but should be spent judiciously. I was taught that citizenship means more than just sitting around complaining.

I am proud to see that the ideals that I was taught took root and sprouted into a citizen who would be able to weigh the politics that guide our country by their merit and not by their label. Even when I was a registered Democrat, I voted for Republican candidates when I thought they had more common sense than the Democrat candidate. But as I grew older, it became clear to me that neither party had a lock on rationality. Neither party was immune from the virulent politics of today. And neither party represented who I was.

The Republican party has long been the party of corporate interest and restrictive social policy. Their tendency to view things in black and white (and mostly White) left little room for imaginative government and social growth. But their traditional sense of a less intrusive federal government, fiscal restraint, and individual rights appealed to my sense of common sense. I could identify with these characteristics as an American citizen. It was their primary ideology of “us vs. them” though that kept me out of their ranks. And their leadership in Congress over the past decade has managed to erode the values they once had that I identified with. I think that they are increasingly marginalizing even their own base as they embrace a purely corporate philosophy where one man calls all the shots and the only thing that matters is improving the bottom line. Money and power are the new Republican gods and the average American is merely a pawn for the slaying.

The Democratic party has long been the party of the common man. Or at least that was their claim. Professing to stand up for the rights and freedoms of Americans while ensuring that the standard for a quality life was an even playing field, I could identify with their social stances and ability to see the nuances in life. With this party, the possibility for mutual respect and effective but fair legislation seemed possible. And then they began to overreach. 40 years of control in Congress turned our government into a morass of bureaucracy that often hampers the ability of average citizens to live a relatively free life. The belief that every problem can be solved with money and a creative study meant that we were losing our ability to find our own way while the money that could really help those in need was wasted away on feel good politics. By embracing every fringe ideology to increase their inclusiveness, the Democrats diluted their power and became paralyzed. Too afraid to hurt anyones feelings, I guess.

They choice was clear. I could embrace the social aspects of the Democrats and the former fiscal policies of the Republicans, but I could not embrace either party for neither party would embrace me. And they don’t embrace you either.

I know you probably want a government that is less intrusive to individuals while protecting all of us from abuse. I know you want a government that spends your money wisely while promoting social interests. I know that you were taught that integrity counts and honesty is important. We may not agree on all the same things, but I know we can agree that this government is broken, the parties are broken, and Americans don’t fit into neat little labels.

You’re already an independent. Why not make it official and break the stranglehold the parties have on our government?

Most readers of Common Sense already understand that I am no fan of the current administration. My disgust with the Bush presidency stems partly from the basic ideology they operate from and partly from the total incompetence they have shown in their policies and the implementation of them. This administration has eroded our national reputation in the world at large, has sacrificed the future opportunities of the poor and middle classes while helping the rich get richer for the sake of being richer, and distorted the rule of law as suits their whim. The bulk of the Republican members of Congress have marched along with the Bush agenda, abetting this shameless administration while walking hand in hand with their big money donors all the way to the bank. Corruption investigations of prominent Republican lawmakers, aides, and businessmen have exposed this party for what it has become, and rank and file Republicans across the country should be outraged. In 2006, maybe the Republicans can reclaim their party from the greedy and the warmongers and reach back to their roots supporting fiscal sanity, less intrusive federal government policies, and rational foreign policy objectives. And maybe they can restrain the vocal religious minority in their ranks who wish to legislate their theological doctrines, recognizing that religion belongs with the individual, not with the loudest proselytizer.

The Democrats seem energized at times and lackluster at others. So far, they have not been much of an opposition party during the Bush years, and they certainly have not been a party of ideas. Typically, the Democrats have served only as a bulwark against the most extreme positions of the Bush administration, while helping to pass or idly standing by as the face of this country becomes less and less familiar. Belatedly, Democrat lawmakers have begun to pressure the administration as more questionable practices are brought to light, but they are at the very least complicit in the growing degradation of this nation. In 2006, Democrats need to develop a vision that speaks to today’s citizens and problems, relying less on the status quo and more on leadership with the vision and courage to chart a new path for these tricky times. They need to envelop their disparate supporters and unify their agenda for change, while continuing to challenge the current leadership’s king-like tendencies. And they need to shed the perception that they are elitists and embrace core American voters.

Despite the corruption that runs wild in the halls of government, the real work lies with the American people. In all of Congress (435 Representatives, 100 Senators) there are only 2 Independent legislators. They are both from Vermont. With millions of Americans discarding the label of Republican or Democrat, where is their voice in Congress? 2006 should be the beginning of a groundswell of independent candidates and voices in the political process. Independents can espouse the best ideas of both parties without worrying about a “base ideology.” They can use real common sense and work for legislation that benefits all citizens, not just their party faithful. America should not be a country of us versus them. It should be a country of us, with laws created that balance the personal freedom of the individual with the necessary sacrifices of the whole. If we are ever to move forward and make the changes necessary to keep America safe, competitive, and prosperous in the future, we need to hear from more Americans who are not captive to an exclusionary ideology.

The issues that loom on the horizon include real health care reform for all Americans; real education reform that puts students first and adults second; a real energy policy that advances American energy independence; a real immigration policy that is enforced and viable; a focused and well thought out plan to end the war in Iraq and combat real world terrorism; and ending the assault on American citizens by our government, including the decay of civil rights, the inane drug war, and the plight of the poor.

2006 will be more than just a political year. We will surely face new natural disasters that expose our weakness when facing nature’s wrath. We will likely learn about more political and business corruption. We will surely face more terrorism around the world. 2006 will not see an end to these problems. But the current path we are on isn’t making our world a better place for anyone outside the political and business class that always benefits from a small minded, closed government. Let’s see 2006 be the year the people took back their government, their lives, and their future.

To make matters worse, the American public has become so distrustful of the government that they distance themselves from it at every opportunity. With smaller percentages going to the polls, and an even smaller number actually knowing much about the candidates or propositions before them, government rules and leaders are often picked according to who has the better sound bites, bigger budgets, and nicer hair. Such actions only serve to ensure that government will become less responsive to the public who largely ignores them, thus causing further estrangement by both parties, and on and on. The cycle perpetuates itself until it spins out of control. Propelled by its own inertia, an unchecked government moves backwards in history, becoming less responsive to the needs of its citizens and less representative of the people as a whole.

So what can we do about it? How can we retake our government and make it accountable, efficient, and responsible? The biggest problem in government today stems directly from the political parties themselves. Although nothing in the Constitution requires or advocates it, our government is largely controlled by two main parties- the Republicans and the Democrats. (There are numerous other small parties as well, but we’ll deal with “The Big Two.”) The Democrats and Republican parties seem to have created a representational system of sorts, allowing constituents the opportunity to “choose a side.” In an effort to gain members, each party portrays the other side as bad for America, bad for families, bad for you and me. Their messages have become so successful in fact, that the American people are now practically split 50-50, creating a gridlock and animosity of epic proportions. Their successful attempt to make government look like a boxing match has the added benefit of distracting Americans from paying attention to what is really happening. While we’re all busy socking away at each other, our political parties have quietly carved up the country into “political safe havens,” where they can be sure of re-election, and thus less responsive. While we’ve been watching our tax dollars disappear, they have been securing fat cat deals for benevolent corporate donors and lining up lucrative post-public careers. And all the time, we’ve forgotten that government isn’t supposed to be a sport. Government is a public service, a public duty, and a public privilege.

Republicans and Democrats alike proclaim to have differences big enough to drive a truck through. Big Business vs. Pro-Labor. Tax and spend vs. fiscal prudence. Law and Order vs. Nanny State. In truth though, the two parties have much more in common than they would have you believe. Their real goal is to consolidate power, not for the benefit of providing the public with better service, but for personal gain for their benefactors and themselves. They are both beholden to large corporate donors and labor unions, which, due to the bizarre nature of our campaign regulations, bankroll their ambitions to public office. These kinds of politicians may start out altruistically enough, but the minute the take their oath of office, there are but indentured servants, paying off a debt through favorable legislation, selective enforcement of regulations, and preferential treatment. They are at the mercy of their party leaders, who in turn are being controlled by the corporate and industry demands. Neither party has an interest in simplifying our government so that it can better serve the people. Neither party has an interest in fiscal responsibility. Neither party has a respect for the laws of this country, finding every loophole and exploiting every nuance. And neither party has respect for you, the taxpayer, the citizen, the American.

Government was created to provide certain basic needs of society. It provides public security. It regulates and enforces laws. It creates and regulates an economic base for business and labor. It provides some level of infrastructure. It defends the inherent rights of humanity, namely freedom of religion and thought and the chance for a happy life. Everything that our government does should fall into one of those main categories.

I think we could all agree that we expect the government to protect the integrity of our borders from attack and to defend our interior to its best ability. We expect our government to fight for our interests abroad to further our safety as a country. We expect our government to enact laws that apply to everyone and to enforce those laws equally. We agree that acts like murder, rape, theft, and assault, in all their many forms, should be illegal and punishable. We value the freedom to worship any religion we choose, to learn what we want to learn, to go where we want to go. And we expect our government to respect those freedoms and nourish them. We all want our children to grow up happy, in safe neighborhoods, and going to good schools. We all want to be able to provide for our families and to give them something special now and then. We all want to enjoy good health and the access to good health care. We have a lot more in common than the political parties would have you believe.

It is true that in finding our way to a common goal, we often come across many rivers that lead to the lake. The trick is in navigating the best stream at the right time. Unfortunately, our politicians aren’t even in the same boat. By focusing on their task of division, they are trying to get us to ignore that we have so much in common. They want to keep us at odds and so they muddy the waters by obscuring the true tasks of government and instead highlighting manufactured or sensationalized differences between “them and us.”

The only way to shake off their grasp on a stagnant government is to abandon the parties en masse. A successful American government need not be dependant on artificial labels. Americans from both “sides” should re-register as independents, cast aside their party platforms and recognize the candidates who use Common Sense. Choose leaders who shun the labels but stand on principals that we all agree on. Understand that public service is a duty and an honor and choose leaders who believe that too. Only by denouncing the politics of partisanship can the business of government truly take place.

This would be but a start in putting government back into the hands of the people. The very nature of democracy demands compromise before advance, and in this current political split, we need to not only abandon the parties individually, but abandon the politicians too. Doing anything less would prevent any meaningful reform. At every election, reject a candidate affiliated with any political party. Don’t let yourself believe that a party affiliation truly reflects who they are, or who you are either. Choose only from among independent candidates and find out where they stand on the issues. If no independents are on the ballot, find one and support them. Make our politicians stand on their own feet and explain why they deserve the honor of representing our interests rather than letting them hide behind boorish party line talking points. And to ensure that there will be plenty of non-affiliated candidates, encourage and support potential candidates.

We must always remember that we do not owe it to the politicians to keep them in office or to agree with their policies. Rather they owe it to us to defend our interests and to ensure that their policies are in line with our needs. We owe it to ourselves to make sure they deliver.