Democrats in the House and Senate must feel hopeless and helpless?

[kentuck]

They have no power. On occasion, the Repub majority will give them 10-15 minutes to talk about their "issues", if they are certain they are going down to defeat. If the "issues" are in question or the Majority does not wish to open it up for debate, they may give the Democratic Senators a minute of time to "debate" on the floor. It is all so meaningless.

Democrats must sometimes feel they are simply wasting their time. They are the true Washington Generals, the whipping boys of the Harlem Globetrotters. They serve no purpose. And now, the Republicans want to take away the last arrow in their quiver, the ability to filibuster. If they do that, there will be no need for Democrats to even show up in Washington. They should meet at a Denny's Restaurant in Kansas City and just give Washington to the neo-cons and dictators now in power. It would probably be more effective.

[Skidmore]

1. I'm not feeling sorry for them now since the times that have

presented them with opportunities to make a difference with cohesiveness and a meaningful vote, they have allowed themselves to be splintered off into little factions or have blatantly sold out. This bunch will GIVE the fillibuster away for a song and a dance.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Dems seem to be preserving the "filibuster" for Dubya's appeals court

nominees. Bush is 3-0 with the passage and signing of class action lawsuit "reform," , bankrupty "reform," passed and soon to be approved in the House and Dubya's "major victory" on drilling in the Arctic refuge. The Dems could not even stick together to strip ANWR out of the budget resolution--they even had 6 Republicans and Jefford help and could not do it!

Our only hope is this--highlighted in an article today in the Boston Globe..." Congress has failed to approve a final budget each of the last two years, and a similar failure this year would nullify yesterday's Senate approval and force a drilling bill to get the 60 votes necessary to end a filibuster, instead of 50."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/03/17/senate_votes_to_allow_arctic_oil_exploration?pg=full



Caribou grazed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Senate voted to allow private oil exploration in the refuge. (AP File Photo)

[cestpaspossible]

3. I'm proud of them for keeping up the fight.

Yes, it must be depressing, especially for the House members, but they just keep fighting (some of 'em, anyway) and I am proud of them for that.

[ClarkUSA]

4. They don't feel that hopeless or helpless on Bush's SS privatization plan

I'm glad you aren't in Congress -- we need fighters, not quitters.

[kentuck]

5. I'm glad you have so much faith in them...

that you know they will all stand together... I'm not so sure.

[forgethell]

6. This is what happens

when you lose elections as badly as we did. The Repukes were in the same situation for many years. In that case they developed a "go along to get along" mentality. Bipartisanship consisted of the Repukes agreeing on the major issues so they could have some influence on minor issues. Now, they are in control, and no doubt enjoying it hugely. But what goes around, comes around. We're taking our lumps now, they'll take their's in a future Congress.

[Al-CIAda]

7. Rigged elections assure there will never be any reversal.

We are fucked, and complicit traitors are to blame.

[forgethell]

8. Bah!

If it's not close, they can't steal it.

But if you want to give up, Canada awaits for all the quitters.

[Al-CIAda]

9. Not sure where you are coming from.

Flip a switch and all is beautiful. Propaganda, false exit polls, etc.
Easy as pie.

Give up? Not me, just being honest. We ARE fucked. We DO have TRAITORS in our midst. We HAVE been sold out.

[forgethell]

10. If you've given

up on the electoral process, what's the point of hanging around? Don't mean to offend, but what are you planning to do about it? Revolution? That'd be crushed pretty damn fast. Every government, even the bad ones, have both the means and the will to protect themselves. If you take to the streets, you'll have your kiester shot off for you.

So, if we are truly fucked, why stay? That's all I'm asking.

[cestpaspossible]

12. Agreed. I'm sick of naysayers with no plan

for moving forward. I certainly don't agree that "we're doomed", but if we were, that would just be a reason to go down fighting, and loudly proclaiming the inevitability of your defeat is no way to fight...

[merh]

11. They got 51 votes, the petition against the drilling 400,000 votes

we seem to be picking up steam! We have to keep trying to make ourselves heard and to make congress know we are out here watching them.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3288432&mesg_id=3288432