Let's Pass Some Laws Before the Repubs Head Into Town (after all, that's what they'd do) by M Moore

[kpete]

Let's Pass Some Laws Before the Republicans Head Into Town (after all, that's what they'd do)
by Michael Moore
Tue Nov 16, 2010 at 02:59:41 AM PST

Dear Congressional Democrats:

Welcome back to our nation's capital for your one final session of the 111th Congress. Come January, the Republicans will take over the House while the Democrats will retain control of the Senate.

But Dems -- here's something I don't understand: Why do you look all sullen and depressed? Clearly you're not aware of one very important fact: YOU ARE STILL COMPLETELY, TOTALLY, LEGALLY IN CHARGE! When (and if, mostly if) you wake up to the reality that you can do whatever you want for the next seven weeks, you will realize that you have two clear options:

* Michael Moore's diary :: ::
*

1. You can continue your "Sit Quietly and Hope No One Hits Me" strategy and thus lay the groundwork for an even bigger ass-kicking two years from now;

Or...

2. You can actually use the power you hold for the next seven weeks and have the Senate pass the legislation that the House has already passed!

THE REST:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/16/920935/-Lets-Pass-Some-Laws-Before-the-Republicans-Head-Into-Town-%28after-all,-thats-what-theyd-do%29

[ProSense]

1. Dear Congressional Democrats: 'Take off your pink tutus'

Or is that insult reserved for the President?

[beyurslf]

2. Not a chance. We are weak, powerless wimps and the only lessen we ever seem to learn is that

we need to kiss more elephant ass.

[ProSense]

3. Evidently, Michael didn't get the memo

What To Expect From The Lame Duck Senate This Week (Hint: Not Much)

Brian Beutler

<...>

On Wednesday, the Senate will attempt to end filibusters on three pieces of legislation: one to promote natural gas and electric vehicles; one to close the pay gap between men and women; and food safety legislation third to enhance federal inspection and recall authority.

Senior congressional aides in both parties both say that of the three only one -- food safety -- is likely to clear the 60 threshold required to bring debate to a close.

That leaves several major items on the docket to be addressed (or not addressed) after the holiday.

House and Senate leaders will still have to figure out what, if anything, they plan to do about the expiring Bush tax cuts, expiring unemployment benefits, appropriations legislation needed to keep government agencies up and running, and a defense authorization bill, that Republicans have threatened to filibuster for including provisions that could end Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

In other words, the real fireworks probably won't really start until next month.

That's good new for Republicans for a few reasons. In part, that's because Democrats will have precious little time to negotiate before the 111th Congress comes to an end. Additionally, by month's end, the Senate will become slightly more Republican, as Sen.-elect Mark Kirk (R-IL) gets sworn in to replace Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL), making it just that much harder for the Democrats to end a number of expected filibusters. (Democrats Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Chris Coons (D-DE) will be sworn in today.)

more

[AlinPA]

7. The food safety bill won't get 60 votes. Teabaggers will stop that. nt

[DCKit]

4. As MANY here on DU have been saying since 2006.

Nice to have Michael Moore on board... finally. Now if we can get the (D)s in Congress to wake up, we'll see some progress.

[Tippy]

5. Big K&R....this has been my position since the election....

[flpoljunkie]

6. Problem is Dems are looking for same corporate cash to fill their campaign coffers as Republicans

That's why it's sometimes hard to figure out which side Democrats are own--corporate special interests or the public interest.

[Koshari]

8. Petition Michael Moore Mentions Needs 900 More Signatures by Nov. 25th

We are in the home stretch of our petition, we need a little less than 900 signatures to reach our goal of 10,000 by Nov. 25th when it's sent out. Please sign it if you haven't already and share it in any way you can think of.

After Michael Moore mentioned our petition in his article http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/lets-pass-some-laws">Let's Pass Some Laws Before the Republicans Head Into Town (after all, that's what they'd do) on Tuesday, we had a huge surge of signatures But it's slowed down now and we need to make another big push. Thanks in advance!

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/pass_the_bills_during_the_lame_duck_session">Sign Petition