What does the majority Democratic Congress report card for 2007 look like?

Question

As Congress flees Washington for the Christmas break, it is time to issue report cards for the new Democratic leadership. We could be generous and give them an “Incomplete” but an “F” would be more accurate.

Most striking was the Democrats utter failure to live up to the key promise of their 2006 campaign: “ending the war in Iraq.”

Guantanamo remains open and operational - F.

Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research - F.

Elimination of secret ballots for union elections - F.

Even the pettiest of goals --working five days a week -- could not be achieved - F.

Wouldn't pass an immigration bill - F.

Didn't secure the borders - F.

Voting rights for District of Columbia - F.

Renewed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act , after promising that they would not - F.

Unsuccessful in achieving items both small and large on their agenda - F.

This was not what the Democrats had in mind - or promised their Leftwing base.

Answer 1

how can you have a grade when you have even accomplished 1 thing.


you forgot....having record number of pork barrel ear marks--A+

Answer 2

Well, golly. First off, there is no 'left wing base'. That's what the right wing talk show dimwits keep telling the ditto-heads. Given that the democrats are politically about where the Eisenhower republicans used to be you can hardly call them red hot reds or even close. Second, the democrats have a 'majority', but it's paper thin and has has had to deal with the Bush Junta's veto power. With no super majority that means nothing can get passed....although the minimum wage bill did pass and several other items. Until the reactionaries that now own the White House, a large and influencial minority in the House and Senate and a de facto strangle hold on the Supreme Court you can be assured that the fascisti coup 'd etat will go on long enough to bankrupt the country, destroy the middle class and who knows...even turn the country entirely over to the trans-national corporations and the screamin' Jesus freaks. Keep the faith, Adolf...your dreams may just come true yet!

Answer 3

It looks like a split report-card, with the Democrats in Congress fairing better than either Congressional Republicans or the White House.


Gallup polling:

Republicans in Congress:

Approval (29%)
Disapproval (64%)


Democrats in Congress:

Approval (37%)
Disapproval (55%)


Policies proposed by House/Senate Republicans:

Right direction (35%)
Wrong direction (54%)

Policies proposed by House/Senate Democrats:

Right direction (59%)
Wrong direction (27%)


Who should control the nation’s direction for the next year?

Bush (32%)
Congressional Democrats (63%)

====

Spoken Majority—

Don’t let reality or the facts influence your opinion in any way:

• “Even in minority, Republicans dish out the pork: Senate's two biggest sponsors of this year's pet projects are Republicans”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22342743/

And the record for pork in a single bill?

Republicans in 2005: 24 billion spread over 6,376 pet projects.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/08/04/the_republican_pork_barrel/

Answer 4

It looks like they don't have the numbers to override a filibuster or a veto, so despite their trying, they haven't been able to repair the damage done by the previous six years of republicans owning all three branches of government.

Answer 5

Well Bubba, it's called record numbers of filibusters in the senate and outright obstructionism in the house, and the lack of a veto-proof majority. Basic knowledge of government and current events would be nice when people post rhetorical, ignorant questions

Answer 6

But if you grade them on what they REALLY are: Populists, they get an A for talking a good game, and getting people to believe in them and vote for them.

If you vote for a lib, that's what you get...smoke up your butt.

Answer 7

Is there any grade below F? How about fifteen levels below that? Because that's about what they would have earned if I was calling the shots.

Answer 8

I give them an F, not for failing to do those things, but for trying to do them(except for securing the borders).

Answer 9

Yes a big ole promise everything and do nothing. I think your grades are right on the mark!

Answer 10

I agree. Sad thing is that their left wing base will eat up the next batch of lies and empty promises without thinking how they can possibly be fulfilled.