Community | December 20, 2011 | 19 comments

The more people we elect, the more things stay the same

source: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/20/congress-ending-2011-with-worst-approval-rating-ever/

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oenophile
Congess is (un)sucessfully ending the year with their worst approval rating ever!

I loved this article, if nothing else, for the Mark Twain quote proving that congress is as congress does: “Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself."

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/20/congress-ending-2011-with-worst-approval-r...
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19 comments // The more people we elect, the more things stay the same

  • maasanova
    • 0
      maasanova  
    • Image

    • "Politicians, like diapers, should be changed often (and for the same reasons)."

      http://www.kickthemallout.com/

      http://freedomkeys.com/politicians.htm

      Before the results of the last election were final we saw Republicans celebrating exactly like the Democrats celebrated when they won control of Congress and the Messiah was enthroned at the White House. Conservatives are acting the same way, as if some huge change has occurred and the "Republican are now going to save us!" Seriously, when has either party ever saved us?! The Republicans are just as responsible as the Democrats for the mess we're in.

      Truth is, there wasn't much more turnover of incumbents than usual, which is typically about 15%. It appears that most of the turnover occurred because about 40 people decided to retire. This means that 85% of the incumbents that ran again, the same people that have betrayed our trust so many times we can't count, are sill in office!

      We threw away another golden opportunity to hold them ALL accountable. WE wasted another chance to FIRE THEM ALL! Far too many of us bought into the left/right paradigm again and failed to see we cannot afford to keep playing "their game." When we do, we lose. It's as certain as trying to beat the odds in Vegas. The House ALWAYS comes out on top when you play their games.

      We have to become as ruthless with Congress critters as they are with us. We have to look at the election process with complete dispassion if we want to "actually" throw the bums out. We have to look at elections as a purely utilitarian act necessary to hold members of Congress accountable in the only way that we can, by removing them from office. At this point, it makes no difference who replaces an incumbent. None. What would make a difference is if incumbents were replaced en mass! If we did this just once, the whole game would change in ways we can't even imagine. It would shake up the status quo like nothing else could.

    • 5 months ago
  • good_stuff
    • 0
      good_stuff  
    • maasanova:

      Well, a lot of people say that a complete turnover would have the opposite effect. It takes a long time to learn all the rules, processes, etc; so throwing them all out would just allow those who have been there the longest to run things even more efficiently (Lobbyists).

      We need to push for removal of all lobbyists and outsiders from washington and/or direct democracy with some safeguards in place to prevent tyranny of the masses.

    • 5 months ago
  • DanCastro
    • +2
      DanCastro  

    • Reminds me of the 2010 meme, 'your vote is meaningless, stay home!'(so the religious right could elect the zealots we have now!) Democracy means your obligation is to help the nation by learning AND voting! (No matter how hard the repugnants try to block the vote! :-)

    • 5 months ago
  • wolfess
  • CreditFigaro
    • 0
      CreditFigaro  

    • Our elected officials aren't ALL bad. This kind of story aims to make everyone who we elect the enemy. To cause apathy, and discontent with the process so as to encourage non participation.

      The congress is as who we put in there. Your vote matters!!!

      VOTE IN THOSE PRIMARIES!!!!

    • 5 months ago
  • wolfess
    • 0
      wolfess  
    • CreditFigaro:

      Boy do I agree! As I've posted b4 -- if we do everything in our power to vote in progressive liberal DEMOCRATS no matter how Obama wants to govern he's going to be 'nudged' further to the left by those progressive dems that We the People vote into office next year!
      Pwr 2 the 99%! Dismember the 1% and their political WHORES!

    • 5 months ago
  • nikonwilly
  • wolfess
    • +2
      wolfess  

    • Eleven percent? Looks like lots of those asshats are going to be looking for work come January 2013 -- just keep up the current crap so NO ONE forgets :-)!

      Pwr 2 the 99%! Dismember the 1% and their political WHORES!

    • 5 months ago
  • CreditFigaro
  • JustZ
  • wolfess
  • wolfess
  • PetEr_Alan_ColE
  • Buckeye_Bill
  • dadevil
  • Progresshiv
    • +3
      Progresshiv  

    • As long as regular people continue to tolerate criminals in office; as long as children are not taught empathy; as long as people are encouraged to believe it's "every man for himself;" as long as money is worshipped; as long as ignorance is worn as a badge of honor, things will remain the same.

    • 5 months ago
  • Leen61
  • Imzadi
    • +5
      Imzadi  

    • Even many generations later, Mark Twain proved himself one of the most astute political observers of the American condition.

    • 5 months ago
  • Buckeye_Bill
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