I wanted to ask... Do a majority of the American people understand or realize, that in Congress, the Democratic Party... is effectively excluded from any real participation...Congressional Democrats:
- Opinions are shut out, the Republican majority works in lockstep which makes Democrat's votes all but irrelevant.
- Are unable to even propose legislation, the Republicans would prevent it from being considered.
- Can't even call for investigations, even when the need is obvious, because Republicans totally control such committees and spitefully refuse to allow Democrats any power.
- Don't even have the power to schedule a conference room without Republican approval!
Broken Promises: The Death of Deliberative Democracy "A Congressional Report on the Unprecedented Erosion of the Democratic Process in the 108th Congress", a 147-page report, by the Democratic staff of the House Rules Committee.I myself can't say I am thoroughly familiar with all the things that Democrats in Congress are allowed to or prevented from doing, but clearly the Republicans are abusing their power and the rules of Congress to the effect of marginalizing Democrat's role in running our country far beyond what's best for the people (see the report above). Republicans have prevented Democrats from representing their constituents which is a large percentage of the American people! Consequently, Democrats should not be blamed for anything this government does; they weren't allowed any meaningful input and often were excluded altogether--until it was time for them to cast their "token" votes.
Of course, then the Republicans arrange bills specifically to force Democrats into awkward positions that makes them choose to support things they don't want to and vote against things they would support. All just to make them look incompetent or give the appearance Democrats are "obstructionists". All this just to make it appear Democrats are actually participating... and they are, but they aren't able to do anything meaningful, much less actually implement anything being called for by actual majorities of the public. In truth, from the perspective of a Real American, what's going on is just a sad, pathetic and embarrassing farce. Given this confusion, I ask this question.
Poll Question: Does the general public really understand or fully realize... just how completely Republicans have abusively undermined and excluded Democrats from any meaningful participation in Our Very Own Congress?:bluebox: