If memory serves, when the President first tried to tackle the question of Social Security reform, he laid out his proposal, then invited Democrats to do the same, specifically stating that everything was negotiable, nothing was “off the table,” and that the point was to get on with it and address the problem.
The Democrats, the ones who were so cravenly congratulated themselves two nights ago, thumbed their noses at the President’s request to at least start some sort of effort to deal with a problem which was considered by both Clinton and AlGore to be of enormous significance when it was “their” issue. One Democratic congressman, Ron Wexler of Florida, offered a mild proposal, but that was quickly withdrawn at the “prompting” of Democratic Party Pooh-Bahs.
Voters should certainly remember not only what the Republicans have accomplished, but what the Democrats have managed not to do. In five years, they have offered no substantive proposals for any of the problems the nation faces. None.
If the voters believe, quite rightly, that Democrats are not to be trusted with our nation’s security and foreign affairs, there is little evidence to suggest that there are any areas of public policy where they can be trusted, or where they truly have anything at all to offer as an alternative.
Any party which roundly applauds itself for not even bothering to show up is hardly qualified to lead anyone anywhere.
Bat One - 09:02pm on 02/02/2006
The Dems have a long way to go before they can get the House back, but Republicans (with their big-spending ways) are kind of being helpful.
Right now, for me, the GOP is the lesser of two evils. I’m not about to start voting Democrat (because they’d be worse) but the Republicans had better get back on track addressing some of the serious issues out there (tax reform, SS reform, spending cuts) or there’s going to be some bloodletting in November.
Rob - 10:02pm on 02/02/2006
I suspect, Rob, that yours is a very common attitude, and that it will be reflected in the turnout at the polls later this year.
Reflected too in those numbers will be the increased enmity between the two bitter camps within the Democratic Party. It will be interesting to see which side’s marginal supporters drop off most quickly, as that is likely to determine the election results… all else being equal.
If memory serves, when the President first tried to tackle the question of Social Security reform, he laid out his proposal, then invited Democrats to do the same, specifically stating that everything was negotiable, nothing was “off the table,” and that the point was to get on with it and address the problem.
The Democrats, the ones who were so cravenly congratulated themselves two nights ago, thumbed their noses at the President’s request to at least start some sort of effort to deal with a problem which was considered by both Clinton and AlGore to be of enormous significance when it was “their” issue. One Democratic congressman, Ron Wexler of Florida, offered a mild proposal, but that was quickly withdrawn at the “prompting” of Democratic Party Pooh-Bahs.
Voters should certainly remember not only what the Republicans have accomplished, but what the Democrats have managed not to do. In five years, they have offered no substantive proposals for any of the problems the nation faces. None.
If the voters believe, quite rightly, that Democrats are not to be trusted with our nation’s security and foreign affairs, there is little evidence to suggest that there are any areas of public policy where they can be trusted, or where they truly have anything at all to offer as an alternative.
Any party which roundly applauds itself for not even bothering to show up is hardly qualified to lead anyone anywhere.
The Dems have a long way to go before they can get the House back, but Republicans (with their big-spending ways) are kind of being helpful.
Right now, for me, the GOP is the lesser of two evils. I’m not about to start voting Democrat (because they’d be worse) but the Republicans had better get back on track addressing some of the serious issues out there (tax reform, SS reform, spending cuts) or there’s going to be some bloodletting in November.
I suspect, Rob, that yours is a very common attitude, and that it will be reflected in the turnout at the polls later this year.
Reflected too in those numbers will be the increased enmity between the two bitter camps within the Democratic Party. It will be interesting to see which side’s marginal supporters drop off most quickly, as that is likely to determine the election results… all else being equal.