Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Who Are These Guys and Where Have They Been?
Did I miss something? All of a sudden the Democratic Party is acting like they've got a pair.
Now I realize that these aren't exactly serious threats, but it's a start. It's better than laying down and letting the Republicans walk all over us like we've been doing since 9/11 for fear of being labeled unpatriotic. It's better than quietly taking the daily screwings that we've been receiving for the last four years. Sure, things may not change a whole lot, but at least we're making some noise. At least people will know that we don't approve of all the lies and secrecy. Hell, we might even get a reputation for standing up to authority.
A few weeks ago I was pretty tough on Senator Reid. I made some rather disparaging remarks about his "rather dance than fight" attitude. After reading this today, I have to say I'm at least encouraged. This doesn't mean that anything's going to happen, after all, politicians are famous for saying they will do something and then avoiding it like the plague. But at least we're making an attempt to control the issues. Now we have to follow through on this promise. We have to complain loud and we have to complain often. It can't be whining, we have to have facts and proof on our side. It's going to be difficult and it's going to take time, but it can be done. We've got to start somewhere and this is as good as anyplace else.
If this kind of assertiveness keeps up, we just might regain some control in this country.
- Complaining that Republicans have failed to oversee how billions of dollars of taxpayer money is being spent, Senate Democrats said Monday that they would begin holding oversight hearings of their own, even though they are in the minority and have no subpoena power to compel the testimony of government officials.
"The Congressional watchdog remains fast asleep, and we intend to wake it up," Senator Byron L. Dorgan of North Dakota, who is chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, said at a news briefing.
Mr. Dorgan was joined, via videoconference, by Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the new Democratic leader, who has repeatedly said that he would "rather dance than fight" with Republicans. Mr. Reid said that the hearings, to be run by the policy committee, would be "set up as fairly as possible," with Democrats offering Republicans a chance to participate and call witnesses.
"We're going to try to be as fair as they have not been to us," Mr. Reid said. Mr. Dorgan added, "And if the Republicans decide to hold their own oversight hearings, there will be no need for this project."
Now I realize that these aren't exactly serious threats, but it's a start. It's better than laying down and letting the Republicans walk all over us like we've been doing since 9/11 for fear of being labeled unpatriotic. It's better than quietly taking the daily screwings that we've been receiving for the last four years. Sure, things may not change a whole lot, but at least we're making some noise. At least people will know that we don't approve of all the lies and secrecy. Hell, we might even get a reputation for standing up to authority.
A few weeks ago I was pretty tough on Senator Reid. I made some rather disparaging remarks about his "rather dance than fight" attitude. After reading this today, I have to say I'm at least encouraged. This doesn't mean that anything's going to happen, after all, politicians are famous for saying they will do something and then avoiding it like the plague. But at least we're making an attempt to control the issues. Now we have to follow through on this promise. We have to complain loud and we have to complain often. It can't be whining, we have to have facts and proof on our side. It's going to be difficult and it's going to take time, but it can be done. We've got to start somewhere and this is as good as anyplace else.
If this kind of assertiveness keeps up, we just might regain some control in this country.
