The Republicans are the Problem

[Sunstone]

I believe it will absolutely kill some folks to see another Republican in office.

Depends on the Republican. Surely you don't think this year's candidates were stellar examples of leadership potential? I mean, they make even Obama look good. Jeebers! Romney, the front-runner, flip-flops more than John Kerry!

 

[Sunstone]

You don't really know that obstructionism is the result of a plot. It could just be that when 2 sides disagree,
& especially the atmosphere is rancorous, then little progress is made. A meeting was had....the conspiracy
theory is an empty one, since thwarting Obama's looney plans just looks like good policy.
I don't think Publicans are bright or coordinated enuf to pull off such a big disciplined scheme anyway. Perhaps
you think to highly of them.

Again, it sounds exceedingly naive to believe that Republican politicians are incapable even of obstructionism. After Bush and Cheney, I might be inclined to put running the country past them, but to put merely obstructing running the country past them? All they have to do to accomplish that is to keep saying "no" to any of Obama's initiatives. Even a Republican should be capable of saying "no".

 

[Revoltingest]

I'm OK with a flip flopper. Obama's consistency has been a drawback....his consistently continuing Bush's worst policies.

 

[Sunstone]

Obama's consistency has been a drawback....his consistently continuing Bush's worst policies.

Granted.

 

[Revoltingest]

Again, it sounds exceedingly naive to believe that Republican politicians are incapable even of obstructionism.

Now, now....that's not what I said.
I maintain that obstructionism is more likely a result of ordinary individual resistance to bad Obama policy.
A conspiracy is no more needed than is ID to explain evolution.

After Bush and Cheney, I might be inclined to put running the country past them, but to put merely obstructing running the country past them? All they have to do to accomplish that is to keep saying "no" to any of Obama's initiatives. Even a Republican should be capable of saying "no".

Frankly, I prefer that they obstruct Obama's policies. But I don't chalk it up to a covert concerted effort.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Again, it sounds exceedingly naive to believe that Republican politicians are incapable even of obstructionism. After Bush and Cheney, I might be inclined to put running the country past them, but to put merely obstructing running the country past them? All they have to do to accomplish that is to keep saying "no" to any of Obama's initiatives. Even a Republican should be capable of saying "no".

Geeze Phil, you act as if this is something new. You don't remember Gingrich obstructing during the Clinton administration? This is not some new plot, it is business as usual. Always has been always will be.

In the Republican eyes, the less Obama does the better. I don't think it is a big secret and Republicans are denying any of this.

A good President works around this cold hard fact. How did Clinton get anything done? Remember welfare reform? You have to throw the Republicans some red meat if you want anything done.

 

[Sunstone]

Now, now....that's not what I said.
I maintain that obstructionism is more likely a result of ordinary individual resistance to bad Obama policy.
A conspiracy is no more needed than is ID to explain evolution.


Frankly, I prefer that they obstruct Obama's policies. But I don't chalk it up to a covert concerted effort.

Well, you can chalk it up to whatever you want. But the fact remains that a group of Republicans met on the night of Obama's inauguration to map out a strategy of obstructionism. Whether the obstructionism that followed was a result of that strategy session, a result of other factors, or a mix of both, might be up for a guess. But that does not change the fact they met, nor the fact they decided to obstruct.

 

[Sunstone]

Geeze Phil, you act as if this is something new. You don't remember Gingrich obstructing during the Clinton administration? This is not some new plot, it is business as usual. Always has been always will be.

In the Republican eyes, the less Obama does the better. I don't think it is a big secret and Republicans are denying any of this.

A good President works around this cold hard fact. How did Clinton get anything done? Remember welfare reform? You have to throw the Republicans some red meat if you want anything done.

You don't think obstructionism has increased in the past few decades? Just curious.

 

[Revoltingest]

Well, you can chalk it up to whatever you want. But the fact remains that a group of Republicans met on the night of Obama's inauguration to map out a strategy of obstructionism. Whether the obstructionism that followed was a result of that strategy session, a result of other factors, or a mix of both, might be up for a guess. But that does not change the fact they met, nor the fact they decided to obstruct.

It could very well be factual that such a meeting happened.
I just wouldn't attach any significance to it.
Similarly, I presume that if Romney wins, some Dems will meet to plot how to combat him.
I'd be all meh about that too.
Politics as usual it is.

 

[Penumbra]

One thing I've found interesting is observing my father, who has been a life long Republican, decide that he is totally against everything the Republicans currently stand for, and deciding to vote for Obama and Democrats this time around instead of for the Republicans. He decided to vote for McCain over Obama, but said after seeing the last several years, he thinks the Republican politicians are nuts, and that he has realized there is very little that he supports them on.

He was more of an Eisenhower Republican type.

And yet the Democrats have controlled the House and Senate from 2007-2010. The Republicans were powerless to stop anything they wanted to pass. Yes, they could drag things out, but ultimately they couldn't stop a thing. Even today, the House is run by the Republicans, but the Democrats still control the White House and the Senate. In this respect, there is no possibility that a Republican initiative will see the light of day.

My guess is that this "Blame the Republicans" campaign is designed to deflect attention away from the incompetence of the Obama Administration, gearing up for the election. The Democrats simply cannot run on Obama's record, so they are forced to demonize the Republicans instead.

Do you have an example of a recent U.S. administration that did very well? Which was the best one of the last half-century?

 

[Reverend Rick]

You don't think obstructionism has increased in the past few decades? Just curious.

Honestly I can't remember when there was not obstruction. Look at how people vote, that is what they want. The less the government does the better in some folks book. I don't want either party running rough shot. Abolishing abortion laws or implementing new gun control legislation would be bad in my book. I know this is about Republicans, but both parties left unchecked would ruin this country.

Mitch McConell was very clear when he spoke in a press conference that the Republicans would not allow Obama to be an effective President. Seems to me it worked very well don't you agree?

Now, Obama can blame the Republicans for his failures and I am honest enough to admit this was the plan all along. The thing is, it was not something new.

If Obama wanted to convince the American people he can be an effective leader, he has to demonstrate he can deal with this problem. Otherwise you will be voting for 4 more years of the same.

I know this thread is about Republicans, but until the Democratic party learns to vote in lock step like the Republicans, they will be ineffective and a big waste of time putting into office.

 

[Sunstone]

...both parties left unchecked would ruin this country.

Amen to that!

 

[Nashitheki]

"both parties left unchecked would ruin this country"

Would ?

 

[Revoltingest]

"both parties left unchecked would ruin this country"
Would ?

Yeah....it could be even worse.

 

[Jacksnyte]

Personally, I'm beyond sick of the old "good cop, bad cop" routine!

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Which ever side you're on, it's always the other side which is the problem.
Since this is true for all sides, it suggests that either all sides are the problem, or no side is the problem.

Well said, brother.

 

[YmirGF]

Personally, I'm beyond sick of the old "good cop, bad cop" routine!

My guess is that it is going to backfire horribly on the leftist/centrist/Democrats. *Crosses fingers and toes*

 

[Nashitheki]

Democrat, Republican ?

The two heads of a two headed monster.

Can one exist without the other ?

 

[Revoltingest]

Democrat, Republican ?
The two heads of a two headed monster.

I wonder if we Libertarians are the tail?

 

[Nashitheki]

I wonder if we Libertarians are the tail?

Kind of like watching the road from the back of a station wagon ?