How to end bitter divide in Washington?
From CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Despite all the lofty talk during the election about change, hope and ushering in a new era in Washington... most people don't think it's happened.
A new Gallup poll shows only 21% of Americans think the tone between Democrats and Republicans in our nation’s capital has gotten better.
A new Gallup poll shows only 21% of Americans think the tone and "level of civility" between Democrats and Republicans in our nation's capital has gotten better since President Obama came into office last month. 23% think things have gotten worse. More than half – 51%– say it's stayed the same.
The poll also found that Democrats are more likely to say the tone has improved, not surprising since they have one of their own in the White House, while Republicans are more likely to say it's gotten worse. Independents are about evenly split.
Last week's party-line vote in the House of Representatives on the economic stimulus package was the nation's first look at how Washington might operate during the Obama administration... and the partisanship looked a lot like what we saw under President Bush. This vote came despite the president's efforts at bipartisanship – a including a stop on Capitol Hill to meet with Republican leaders and hosting a bipartisan Super Bowl party at the White House. The New York Times reports that Republicans have been scoring invitations to the White House nearly as often as Democrats have. One Republican Congressman who attended the Super Bowl Party says such a meeting "humanizes and personalizes" your opponent and that it helps people put politics aside.
Here’s my question to you: What is your prescription for ending the bitter partisanship in Washington?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Terry from Greensburg, Indiana writes:
If the economic stimulus package was what it should have been to begin with, Obama would have gotten bipartisan support. Why didn't he realize Democrats were filling it with things they hadn't gotten for the last 8 years? Like a bunch of little kids that hadn't seen Santa Claus for 8 years. My prescription is: make it what it should be - get the home mortgage situation settled, do what's necessary to get people back to work, and cut the rest of the bullcrap.
Dan from Oregon writes:
Send a copy of a check made out to the other party to your local congressman or senator and tell them it's going in the mail by the end of the month if things don't change. Dems need to call out Dems. Republicans need to call out Republicans.
Tim writes:
I think the change has to come from the ground up. Politicians have to make choices that keep their constituents happy, or they'll lose their jobs. This generally means speaking out against the other side and working against them. If we can find the strength to be more patient with our elected representatives, maybe it would give them the chance to work towards compromises with the other side without taking the risk of losing their jobs.
Marie writes:
Term limits, term limits, term limits.
Donna from Wisconsin writes:
Remind the Congress with a big neon sign daily: “Obama is in the White House because we liked what he had to say and believe in him". Republicans just don't get it: if we had liked their 8 years of economic ideas, we would have voted for McCain.
Karen from Florida writes:
To the dreamers who think it’s just the Republicans, think again.
Tracy writes:
How about some good old-fashioned Canadian apathy?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Get rid of all republicans who pride themselves on being obstructionists.
Send Pelosi home, and everyone else who thinks they need revenge and who puts party above the people they were elected to serve.
Fire all of them in Congress and put working class people in those jobs starting with housewives that run the business of survival.
Press the reset button and reboot it.
Thats a good question..Maybe thats what they need, a perscription..
Put the country first for all and then should be fine/
Jack,It tells me the only change in Washington, is now the tax cheats and crooks are democrats instead or republicans.This country screams for a third party,then and only then will there be real change!!
Perhaps they should all start smoking, and not tobacco! I can't get along with my children half the time.
If both sides cannot agree on a compromise that will get the country out of this mess, then I suggest settling their differences with dueling pistols at 20 paces. At least the survivor will be able to vote on SOMETHING.
I am getting tired of the endless rhetoric from Congress that simply says “what’s in this for ME”.
FIX THIS MESS!!!
Both sides of the aisle in Congress need to learn how to dispense with rhetoric and actually talk with each other and come up with a plan for the common good.
Let the southeastern states plus Texas and Oklahoma cecede from the rest of the United Sates. The rest of the states seem to recognize that they have something in common besides Reagonomics.
Maple Valley, WA
No pay with any delay.
Its funny that the very people who put us into this mess want to dictate how to fix it. They really have confidence in the American people to do nothing or they would be a little more humble than arrogant.
I would have thought this last election would serve notice on politicians that the practice of partisan politics can get you voted out of office real quick in the current environment. Apparently, the ones that survived the "purge" feel they are untouchable and can continue playing games without impunity. Only thing to do is vote them all out in the next election cycle......they just don't get it.
End lobbying in Washington once and for all. The problems stem from the "competing" special interests paying for the support of our representatives. My solution, term limits for ALL. That way no one can become imbedded within the seniority ranks and "earn" the dollars and favors "loaned" out by lobbyists. Not only will this solve the partisanship problem in Washington, but also solve one of the major issues of tax evasion in Washington (both sides are guilty of) as well.
From a cook's perspective...if I am making a dish and the ingredients don't mix well...I dump the whole thing and start over. They are too old and set in their ways to change. Clean house and start over.
It is really easy. Just dissolve the GOP – get rid of the holy rolling hypocrites – and create a party of reasonable people seeking reasonable goals.
Fire congress! The need to see and feel what the rest of the nation is going thru regading employment and financial struggles.
My prescription would be Oxycontin for Rush Limbaugh. It would make him a lot more amicable, and his Republican followers in congress would follow suit.
President Obama is sure trying is best!!! The old dinasour of a GOP is in the "dying fields" and won't budge!
We won't end the divide as long as there is a two party system. Each party is always jockeying for control. Political decisions are not made for the good of the people, but by how it will affect a politicians re-election chances. It will take a rise in the independent party electing a third party candidate to really shake things loose.
Term limits.
Set term limits then get rid of Pelosi, Reid, McConnell, Croryn and Boehner and start with younger, fresher minds.
Jack,
Always do what is in the best interest of the American people!
Robert
Forest, VA
The Republican Party that is trying so hard to find itself should look to its successes not its failures. It should be emulating action heroes like Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt, not "Invisible hand of the market" dufusses like Herbert Hoover and George Bush.
Like the Dylan song says, "Senators, congressman please heed the call. Don't stand in the doorway don't block up the hall. He who gets hurt will be he who has stalled."
The only way it seems is to vote them ALL OUT, and start over... I'm a Republican but this last time, I voted Democrat because of the fignting. ( and Sarah Palin)...
Obama is doing a great job & if nothing happens between now & 2012, he will certainly get my vote again.
Remind the Congress with a big neon sign daily, 'Obama is in the White House because we liked what he had to say and believe in him". Republicans just don't get it: if we had liked their 8 years of economic ideas, we would have voted for McCain. The Republicans sound like a broken record. They will not get re-elected this way. Pres Obama is trying to bring the change. Unfortunately, it is so ingrained in politicans to do what they want not what we want.
I've long thought government should be moved to the center of the country. It would be more secure, at least by air and water. (Brazil did it) It would ease the burden for many traveling from the west coast. Having Congress in session during the summer when it hot and tornado season would help all understand better what other's have to deal with. With all in the middle of the country they won't be distracted as much. In this telecom world all communication is possible. Perhaps the lobbiest won't move in force so the elected can do for the voters.
That's why it takes the President 2 terms (most of the time) to get anything done...There's been too much gridlock, alway have, and always will be..
Split us into two separate countries, one for Democrats and one for Republicans, since Republicans apparently can't play nice.
Vote the Republicans that want to get rid of the middel Class out of Office.If it was for the wall street crowd they would be jhonny on the spot. Thier trickel down theory didn't work and they don't have another plan.
President Obama should lay it on the line with the Republicans: Are they really the Party of Lincoln with Malice Towards None and Charity for All. Do they intend to put "Country First"? Or do they intend to sabotage the Obama Administration for political advantage? I think we know the answer to that question. It is time to show Leadership from the White House and Congress and that will put "Country First".
Jack it will take time to put any change that means anything in action. One thing I have to say is I think Obama has done more in his first hundred days that Bush did in his first year. It will all just take time and lets all hope we have time on our side.
First, President Obama seems like he is doing his best but that isn't going to cut it; the partisan divide will most likely only end, in my opinion, if we elect all independent candidates to replace both Democrats and Republicans or we have open forums on the issues with a neutral partyand both parties have to rationally justify their positions and be able to come up with a counter argument that no one can refute logically which also means they must allow anyone including the public ask questions and both parties must agree that if their argument does not withstand this scrutiny then we continue until one proposal survives all scrutiny and the one that does is automatically passed.
As a republican voter I do not see it happening there are too many areas where the presidents ideals and mine very . There is no way that I would bow to his ideals and his action and his past performance and the people that are in his administration show he dose not want to have a bipartisan relationship. With statements like I won, we won , do not show the other side that he wants a bipartisan approach . There are a lot of topics that need to be taken out of the political arena and there are politicians that need to be taken out of there leadership position so the barriers blocking the flow of communication do not exist. There is nothing wrong with strong leaders that is what we need but we do not on both sides of the fence need the brick walls
.Perry Jones
Council Bluffs
Jack,
Heres my solution. ONE TERM ONLY. Do you job for your term and Leave
Get rid of all the republicans.
Jack, call me old fashioned but a republican at one end of Constitution Ave, a democrat at the other, the President sitting halfway between the two, strumming a guitar and singing, "Do not foresake me oh my darlin'." That's one way of clearing up the mess.
Move the Capitol to Des Moines.
Congress can end the divide today, IF they would just set their ideologies and egos aside and work together with the Obama administration!
What I want to know is: where were all these so-called-fiscal-conservatives when Bush was spending our Nation into bankruptcy and tripling the national debt??????????????
Lock them all in a room together with no frills and only cold sandwiches and water. They stay there until they can realize that we are all in this together and we need to do what is best for everyone and forget the power plays and dog eat dog antics. If America doesn't prosper none of her citizens do.
Sandy
Texarkana, Arkansas
What is your prescription for ending the bitter partisanship in Washington?
I'd like to remind the Republicans that THEY LOST.
They should stop being OBSTRUCTIONISTS and ANTI AMERICAN.
They should stop acting like SORE LOSERS.
Otherwise WE will gain more of their seats in 2010.
Jenna
Roseville CA
Have every Representative and Congressperson repeat one thousand times:
"I cannot claim to be either listening or learning while my lips are moving".
Jack
The grand old party took a beating in the last election and Obama has inherited a division that cannot be easily repaired for quite a while. Obama has to keep massaging these people with his warm and fuzzy approach.
Times change, but people don't! The only way to get rid of the partisanship in Washington is to vote the current incumbants out in droves. That would send a clear message to the successors that if they don't work together and get things done, they're next!
Now that the republicans have become a cult, its gonna be nearly impossible to get rid of partisianship unless things become so desparate that the masses are marching on Washington. in the meantime it is the responsibility of the press to expose the guilty party, whichever party it is, that is putting partisian politics before the good of the country. Adding pork to a stimulus package or withholding support to deny the other side a success are examples that we the voters will remember once again at the polls. We the people are finally starting to figure out how this democracy stuff works.
That’s easy… Fire all of them, start over with a whole new batch of people, outlaw lobbyism and force the new batch of politicians to take an oath to the US Constitution and the citizens of the USA that is enforceable by penalty of death if violated.
HD in Phoenix, AZ
The prescription is an asprin for the pain in the butt that the Republicans are causing! Seems that President Obama has done all he can do to offer bipartisanship, but the Republicans are not willing to cooperate!
How about a 21st Century solution? Each congressman posts the bills they are voting for on to their Website. The Constituents in their district vote on the bills through a password protected portal. The Congressional member, would then vote accordingly.
Now, I know what you'll say. Why that sounds like majority rules. You're right. What a dumb idea. And besides, My Congressman is so much smarter than myself and my fellow constituents. I am sure he'll do what is right. It seems to be working now. Right!
I do have a solution for getting a better group of representatives in Congress. This Country is financially supported by taxpayers. Those of us in this Country that actually PAY taxes should get a proportionate say in how things are done. One vote for every $5,000 you pay in Income Tax sounds fair.
Stop laughing Jack...
I think there are moderates in both parties and they are the ones that need to speak up. Instead we hear the so-called leaders from both sides. The Dem leaders are still resentful about the way they have been shut out in the past and the GOP leaders are in campaign mode and wish to appeal to their base. It is obvious to most people and I would hope they would be aware of how this appears. I wish we had to the ability to hold a special election and get a new congress. I am sure this one would get a big no confidence vote.
Jack
My first suggestion would be term limits like the one placed on the Presidency. But unfortunately, as long as the average American citizen continues to buy into the horse-hockey shoveled at then daily by politicians from both parties, there will never be an end to partisanship in DC, where the ancient adage 'divide and conquer' seems to still be very much the mantra of the day.
As long as the Pelosi's, Boehner's's and Reid's of this land of ours continue to clutter the stage with their antics and theatrics, we're never going to get anything done. It's time to stop putting these jokers out of office piecemeal as they screw up left and right, and send a truly solid message by voting them ALL out as their re-election bids come to bear in the coming years,.
IF THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE would have been what it should have to begin with, Obama would have gotten bipartison support. Why didn't he realize ( if he'd read the package) democrats were filling it with things they hadn't gotten for the last 8years.
Like a bunch of little kidsthat hadn't seen Santa Clause for 8 years.
My prescription is (make it what it should be-get the home mortage situation settled, do what's necessary to get people back to work, and cut the rest of the bullcrap.
The republicrats will try to slow down anything they can in congress, for the good of their party, forget the good of the country. They are posturing for their "base". There are good people in the republican party but the are being shouted down by the likes if rush limburger and bray buchannan.
For one thing, the Republicans could put a lid on their two radio personalities–Limbaugh and Hannity–who continue to make partisanship their main goal. Also, Ann Coulter, is a real divider with her negative and contentious personality. President Obama is reaching out, but if no one reaches back, then there can't be an end. Republicans could tone down some of their talking heads, and make a real attempt to work with their partners on the other side of the aisle.
First you must have states redraw their districts so that there is an equal number of Democrats and Republicans in each district. Then you either must convince Congress to envoke term limits or do it for them by voting out anyone who has served 4 years in the House and 12 years in the Senate or make the Senate a 4 year term and limit them to 2 terms. After that you must elliminate the revolving door between Congress and "K" Street.
See how easy that was!!!
Civil War with a clear victor. Maybe once there is senseless bloodletting between Americans on a grand scale people will come to their senses and work together.
The folks in Washington will never change. They remind me of Nero. He was fiddling while Rome was burning to the ground. Washington has the same scorched earth mentality.
it will never happen, Jack.
the "RepubliCAN'Ts" will obstruct any of President Obama's plans because IF he is sucessful at turning the economy around after their policies put it in the sewer, they know their political party will become as extinct as the dodo bird.
so the "RepubliCAN'Ts" are "all in" on failure and President Obama needs to take a lesson from FDR and just run them over. trying to work with these obstructionists is an exercise in futility.
I recommend that the parties swap names. Republicans are now democrats and democrats are now republicans. That would cause confusion, fingers would point backwards and would be interesting to see.
Let me be one of the millions who respond by yelling from the roof tops: TERM LIMITS!
President Obama has been in office 16 days and already we are calling his efforts to change many years of childishness in Washington a failure. That is just plain mean spirited.
My prescription for ending the schoolyard behavior in Washington would be to give the man time to work with the people in Congress, to help them grow up and become mature adults so things can turn around.
Republicans and Democrats have different ideologies about how the country should be governed, so they should not agree on most bills before them. They should show respect for the alternative point of view. They should not grab a microphone every chance they get to assassinate the character of the people of the opposite party.
There would be more agreement if Congressmen would stop treating every bill as if it was a Christmas tree that should be loaded with gifts for all their contributors.
Jack, . . . my prescription for ending the bitter partisanship in
Washington is for the country to take a few more doses of Sarah Palin
and that will surely remedy the republican virus for years to come.
I was watching a video of an elected Senator (can't remember who), and he stated, "The Republican Party is standing up for the American People. That's why we are not going along with the Democrats." I think those people need to listen to their constituents. Find out what the average person is saying. Like John McCain said in an interview when asked why he persists in believing in the Iraq war when 75% of the country doesn't want us there, he said, "I know what's right for the American people, so I don't listen to them." ??? Do the Repubs think we are children?
Jack
Four words – throw the bums out! Let's get some new blood in there and continue to vote out those who have no interest in those who pay the bills. Another way would be to send them all to the war zones and let them clean up the mess they made.
Matt
Rockford
Do you really want to know?
Force all the Republican Senators to give up their health insurance. Pay them the same wage as a public school teacher in Mississippi or a Walmart clerk in Arkansas. Kick them out of their fancy digs in DC and make them live in a homeless shelter. Get rid of their limousines and security guards and force them to take the bus to work.
Or let them spend a half year teaching in the worst inner city high school in any city – and, I might add, teaching all the remedial kids – not the magnet kids, not the honors kids and not AP.
To quote Shakespeare's King Lear,"Take physic, pomp, expose thyselves to watch the wretches feel."
Then, and only they, will Republican Senators know how the rest of the world lives. Maybe then they will not only be more civil, but also to walk on two feet rather than four. (To borrow a phrase from Toni Morrison's Beloved.)
Jack,
The only way to end the bipartisanship issue is to create a third party.
I think the independents spoke in 2006 and 2008. We need an independent candidate at all levels.
Can we nominate you??
Easy, vote for only indepents. No Rep., or Dems.
Jack, The only way to end partisanship is for We The People to demand term limits.A viable third party would also go a long way in making the party of no and the party of pork to work together.
Eliminate the Republican party.
Republicans own partisanship, no matter how you slice it, they are not happy unless everything goes their way. It's either their way, or the highway. Here we are in the 3rd week of a new Presidency, and the Republicans want to have the say, but put it in your pipe, and smoke it, it is "ain't gonna happen". They had eight years to do something, and they failed to deliver, and the country is in dire straights for it, so best they just stand aside, and let someone do something that benifits us all instead of just their own interest as the Bushies did. Just remember The Iraq War, Torture, Dick Cheney, Haliburton, Enron,Tom DeLay, Alberto Gonzales, Donald Rumsfelt, Foley, and "Wide Stance" Larry , Rsh Linbaugh to name a few. Do these names bring back memories, and were Republicans ever were non-partisan. Don't think so !
Tell the Republicans to shut up! They obviously only care about making noise and problems instead of offering NEW ideas and solutions to our problems. I mean why in the world would anyone listen to them?Their "leader", Limbaugh, hopes that Obama fails! Its a game to all of them. Well, to me, Obama looks like the hero and the Republicans look and act like spoiled little brats that had their lollipops taken away. The only way to change the tone is to tell them to shut up and get behind the president for the good of the country. Politics as usual is over!
The solutions is easy. Invite them to participate in a Democratic Society. If they refuse and decide to toe the Party line and obstruct the vital working of this Government for thier own political gains, then do what the Republicans did to the Democrats for over 6 years.
Tell them to Sit Down and Shut Up. Keep them at the Childrens Table until they grow up and then MAYBE allow them to the Adults table. If they decide to play nice.
At this point I would suggest only one sure fire way to end the partisan bickering, and that would be to vote out every single Republican. You hear me Connelly? Boehner? OUT!
Use more of a coalition approach. Congress and Senate should be divided proportionately by percentage of votes, for example if 40% of the vote was Democratic, 40% Republican and 20% Libertarian, then 40% of congress should be represented by Democratic candidates, 40% by Republican candidates and 20% by Libertarian candidates. The system we have now turns the congresspeople/senators into celebrities instead of people's representatives, by allowing them to serve term after term. Hence, set term limits and enforce them, so that when a representative goes to Congress/Senate, they know that they are there to work for the people, not to make a political name for themselves.
RX: Just let the republicans continue to be obstructionists. It will kill
any chance of them taking over in the future.
Dr. Proctor
There's only one solution, and I don't like it. Mind control. Instead, maybe we should hope for a little more dignity and tolerance.
They should take a lesson from Pres. Obama and be more respectful and conciliatory.Oh, and they should get rid of Pelosi,Reid,McConnell,and Boehner as leaders.
Well, you do like Bush was famous for doing, "my way or the highway." Or, you could wine and dine, like what appears to be happening now. Or, you could go to a one party system, like many other countries. Any way you look at it, unless our elected leaders decide to work together, we are screwed.
I say we hold all members of our government accountable. We have a free press, correct? Embarrass all public servants via the press, internet, myspace, face book, etc. Publish EVERYTHING they have said AND done that is not in the best interests of America and all Legal Americans. And publish the results on a dailey basis. Maybe we can shame these so called public servants to actually SERVE the American people, instead of themselves..
Jack,
My prescription is Prosac lots and lots of Prosac for both parties.
That and send them to school to learn how to get along with each other. They should all take " Learning how to disagree without being disagreeable 101". If that does not work then we should vote them all out of office and put Independents that are not owned by anyone in office. They are acting like a bunch of infantile jerks while the country is going to hell in a handbasket. Shame on them and shame on us if we put them back in office.
Judie
St. Augustine, Fl
Jack, this has been the major mission of President Obama and he has done well so far despite the voting along party lines. There are two ways to really change the tone of rhetoric. One is to basically get the GOP to work with Democrats by courting them, asking for their ideas, and working across the aisle to come up with solutions. If the Republicans continue their hard line opposition, then President Obama has a case to make to voters in 2010 to why they need to vote in more Democrats.
Time, it takes time to end bad habits. We could also do away with the party system since it is an object failure anyway.
Easy. For all the dolts who don't want to play nice or come to the table with a viable plan not more trickle down economics, vote them out. Some of them need a dose of reality to show them that they work for us, not the other way around. People are losing their homes, jobs and can't get back on their feet while they're kicking sand in the sandbox. I say the the time has come for them to grow up. Enough.
Get rid of the republicans.
Well, so far, Obama's tea spoon of sugar has not helped the medicine go down. The prescription needs to be written and voiced by the voters – clear and concise in stating we're not going to refill your seats unless you demonstrate meaningful and measurable progress in working together on behalf of all Americans.
Ralph- Corpus Christi, Texas
The only way you'll end bitter partisanship in Washington is to move the capital somewhere else. Hope is an illusion.
A viable third party.
Tell the GOP to stop trying to stop our new President from doing the work of the People of this USA, For the last 8 years they have done nothing to stop this train wreck from crashing , submit some ideas of their own and pass this bill ASAP.
Get rid of them all in the house and senate (every last stinking one of them) and start fresh! They are like a diseased bunch of apples – throw out the whole bushell. Obama is a great start at changing things, but until you really clean out those tired old folks who seem to think they own the place and drove us right into this mess we're not going to get anywhere.
These Democrats and Republicans will not work together until they start thinking about WE and not ME. This country is in this together, and they need to work as a whole, not as a political party. Obama's stimulus package does have too much pork in it. What the average American, middle class person needs is more money in his pocket, cheaper grocery and gas prices, and jobs returned to the USA. Will Congress ever get this message? I doubt it!
Linda in Indiana
The only way to end all of the crap that goes on in Washington is to make it illegal for lawmakers to accept campaign contributions (bribes) from filthy rich corporations. But, that will never happen. This country is done, put a fork in it.
Jack, show them the unemployment lines across the country with some of there family members standing in line. And let them know there PINK SLIP IS ON THE WAY. Maybe then..they will handle the situation more seriously. I hope and pray that hurry up and get it together for our Country.
i don't know,i wish i knew
Educate the public more with unbiased news reporting about the contents of stimulus bills...and all other decisions being made by congress and the President.
If the media quits highlighting the differences and just gives the facts that will help Joe Q Public focus on the real issues of the day.
It's all in the hands of the voters. When we get tired enough of the horse and pony show in Congress that is labeled "partisanship", we will stop re-electing candidates from these two parties to Congress and will only vote for real Independents.
Brownwood, Texas
Jack
The Republicans are acting like their former boss in the oval office. It's "their way or the highway "for President Obama's policies.
They should be treated in kind. They should be treated as irrelevent as they have become. When they start thinking of the country instead of their millionaire "base" they could be welcomed back into the political process. If only the Democrats were not such wimps. They could take charge and set an example for their Republican counterparts.
Jack Martin ,Boynton Beach Fl
Well, you could get rid of the house and the senate... Nancy P. attitude does not help bring about a change..and the GOP listening to Rush does no good at all.... If you do take my suggestion, make sure they don't have radios or TV's... so when they bend in the wind.. it will have to be their own wind they follow.
JACK,
Bipartisanship in America has always been and will always be!
The problem this time around is that We now have a Black President for the first time and the Rep. will not get over losing for a long time! They have no leader now at all and really should give "OBAMA" a chance to make a difference and I hope they stop the fighting! The American people are sick of it all and voted for a change., let`s hope that "O`REILLY AND RUSH
LIMBERGS`" of this Country wake up and join the American
Dream of togetherness for the good of the Country!
barbara from Sebring, Fl.
Someone needs to slap them upside the head and tell them to grow up. Its these kind of politics that caused the fall of Rome. Thats enough. Its time to get down to the dirty business of actually DOING something instead of pandering to party lines.
Look, Jack - the American public elected (mostly) Democrats for a reason – after 8yrs, all we have to show from the Republican control of Congress and the White House is 2 wars, thousands dead, trillions in debt and the disdain of the world.
Could the Democrats *possibly* do worse? I don't think so. And if the Republicans have better ideas, where the hell were they in the last 8 yrs?
Partisanship is part and parcel of the two-party system. Until the jerks in Congress fear that they can be thrown out at ANY time, they keep on with their shenanigans. Why wouldn't they?
What is your prescription for ending the bitter partisanship in Washington?
Humilty and Time! Accept the fact that people's lives has been changed not for the better but for the worst under your guard for many years to come...yes we are physically safe from outside danger but we are no longer safe from our own inside danger because of this new economic situation – thanks to all of you! At this time, trust and faith in all of you cannot be restore the day after! The damages are not of short duration! It takes time, real respectful attentions and real signs of deeply caring for your people and not just for your people from your own little world. The republicans has a lot of soul searching to do and we are seeing major signs of denial!
It doesn't take a rockey scientist to see that the Republicans are stuck in the same mud that they were standing in when the rest of us voted for change. Perhaps they don't get it. We had an eight year experiment with the Republican version of making the economy run, you know tax cuts. This is the result. They are still yelling about tax cuts as a stimulus. It's hard to beleive that the Republicans have not taken ownership of what the tax cuts produced over these last eight years. Since I'm currently employed, a tax cut woud be nice, but for the 11 million unemployed a tax cut does nothing for them. Someone needs to let the Republicans know that blocking the current bill will only come back to haunt them
How about coming up with a bill by working together upfront before the bill comes out of committee? Didn't Obama say that it doesn't matter where a good idea comes from? If the republicans had input in the first place, we might have a bill, but no, democrats throw scraps after the fact, and expect republicans to be happy, this isn't working! Both parties need to hang up their arrogance, pride and ideology and figure out a good plan that all americans can live with!
Easy! Throw all the whiny Republican and their tax-cuts OUT.
Why should republicans feel they should dominate the house and senate when for the last 6 years they have dominated and this is the result. Some of their comments should be listened to but the final decision should be the majority.
Put term limits on these lawmakers that take up time and space in the Capitol, such as Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. As long as these two lawmakers remain in their respective posts, NOTHING WILL GET DONE PERIOD! A President is limited to two terms in Office what make these lawmakers any different?
I know it's extreme, but there is only one solution:
NO PARTY SYSTEM!
Dear Jack, I'm not a doctor, I just play one on the Cafferty File, but my winning prescription for ending the partisanship in Washington is as follows: To each and every politician in D.C., take two bottles of sleeping pills by mouth, chase them with a bottle of Jack Daniels...and call me from Hell in the morning.
Doctor Buster
They need to learn the art of negotiation. Pelosi said they were listening to the Republicans, however often times simply listening isn't enough. They need to compromise which congress has yet to learn. It's like when you listen to your Mom telling you to be nice and then you hit your little brother. How can the Republicans take Obama saying be nice seriously if all that happens is Pelosi shoves a bill down their throat that includes nothing that you proposed.
Matt,
Minneapolis, MN
That is so very simple Jack ,get rid of all Republicans
I think there Destin to be idiots, we had 8 years of this mess, and they need to get over there selves and stop trying to seem like there looking out for the people, I so look forward to this year because, we needed to get back where we once where, and that was NOT IN DEBT, I think it's a control issue, It's sad to see that there so DUMB they want the president to fail, they can go to his parties and socialize but you can't come together on his stimulus package...
get rid of all the obsrtructionests of both parties
What is your prescription for ending the bitter partisanship in Washington?
My Prescription...... get the Producers back, that's right, the Manufacturing. The bottom line is.....you can't throw 5 Trillion Dollars at this economy and increase Government Jobs, Teaching Jobs, City Jobs and sustain .....the reason is ..... the money will run out and when it does who will support all those new positions? Not the Manufacturing industry that's been sent overseas ...... think about it. Better yet, allow me to give you an
Example: Tell Republican Capitalists that they can now buy up American Farm Land, cut it up, and ship all of America's Top Soil to China so they can also produce our food.
Now do you understand Genius?
Get the Producers back
Take the words democrat and republican out of government once a person is elected to office and make them accountable to all the citizens that they represent not just the party.
Get rid of the Republicans.
In all seriousness, though, make Congress realize what the intentions of AMERICANS are. It is clear that more people support the president than support Republicans on the Hill. If this stimulus package keeps getting held up, however, time will solve our bipartisan issue. Things will get better when it is finally passed, and we can all point, laugh, and yell at the Republicans who kept it stalled for so long.
Put all members of Congress on an island and require them to live off the land for a year. I think that might get their attention.
Maybe there is another use for Gitmo !
Stop electing democrats and republicans! Give the other parties a chance!
This is incredibly simple...vote third party, or better yet, no party. If we start voting in independents, the Dems and Repubs will have no choice but to move towards the middle.
Jack you should have asked how to bring peace to the Middle East. It would have been easier to answer. Some of these republican should stop worrying what Rush Limbaugh thinks and grow a backbone. Some of the democrat should realize that they need to take some of their pet projects out of a bill that we need to pass. I guess what I'm trying to say is they need to learn how to compromise and work together. It seems to me that both parties try to make the other one look bad when all they accomplish in the end is making themselves look like children in the eyes of the public.
There is no RX available as long as there is a 2 party system BUT I am more comfortable with a Democratic President & Congress than I am with the Republicans, especially after the last 8 years!. The Democrats showed me a ugly side to them when they added all those earmarks to the Stimulus package & the Republicans jumped on it via the Media and let it be known the ridiculous garbage that was added. The Republicans are trying to regain some credibility at the expense of the American people when at the crisis time there should be bipartisanship on removing the unwarranted earmarks and get the package to the President's desk, BUT no now we have to endure the Republicans in the Senate with their stupid amendments & here we go from the Congress and their crap, to the Senate and their crap. America is watching both parties and neither one appears to be putting the American people FIRST, above their own egotistical self-interest & self-aggrandize God Bless President Obama, he has a economic abyss, 2 wars, AND the Congress-Senate to put up with.
Elect 100 Democratic Senators and 435 Democratic Representatives.
Denny
Geneva, IL
All we need to do is educate the voters. Once voters are smart enough to remember the promises made by a politician and compare that to what he has done in office, it will become very difficult for politicians to simply pander to the local crowd.
Allen
Mountain Home ID
Make lobbying illegal & elect people who will actually put the country first instead of their own personal agendas.
I also think Pres. Obama should create an Obstructionist's Club & publically place any member of Congress who does not work on the Country's problems together with the White House in as a member of the club. I cannot believe what a bunch of spoiled brats we have in Congress that think they must have their way (or their party's). What part of the November 4th election did they not understand!
Sunlight. Stop covering the fight and concentrate on what is in the stimulus package. Explain how some of the programs would produce American jobs and expose the pork. People will talk to their representatives, they just need a lot of help when it comes to reading and understandiing such a large piece of legislation. cy gardner, arlington, va
One party rule! There would still be bickering even if that occurred, and that isn't about to happen. It may take, like the Isreali-Palestinian issue, a generation or more to resolve. It is ingrained into the parties and politicians.
The divide can be eliminated only when Obese Rush and Ruthless Hannity are ignored by the congressmen and people in power. Fox network and right talk radio is forced to give equal time for democrat leaning people.
Easy Jack..let the American people set the pay for Congress and everyone will play nice in the sandbox but if the Republicans have problems with the stimulus then they need to work out a solution to those specific areas their wayward moral conscience has suddenly found because to not vote for the entire bill because you lost an election is ridiculous especially after going on a 6 year binge under Bush.
San Angelo, Texas
Jack, there is only one way to remind the children in Washington who they work for , and that is for the voters in their state to vote the bums out every 6 or 2 yrs.
Well just having witnessed an entire party of elected officials cringe at the feet of Rush Limbaugh and fear his wrath more than seeing their country fail then the only sensible perscription is to vote them all out of office when the time comes.
There will always be partisan politics as that is how the democratic system works but intelligent and caring representatives will usually vote in the way they feel best benefits their constituents and their country.
Unfortunately when elected officials conduct themselves out of fear rather than common sense then the only recourse is to have them ousted from office at the first opportunity.
The prescription has to be given to the American people before giving to the congress. Congress does not magically appear from heaven. We the people of America elect them. Why the hell do we, the American people have to elect those people who engage in nothing but division and partisianship. That is my question.
Nuwan from Houston, TX
I think the best way to stop or end the partisanship in Washington between the Republicans and Democrats is to send in the Independent Council to stop the misrepresentation of the people.
That is an easy one Jack...get rid of 90% of Congress.
J Buck
Minnesota
All this talk of bi-partisanship is a bunch of horse apples. The efforts need to be made to make our government NON-partisan. The military is supposed to follow the non-partisan line and they do a pretty darn good job at it. Let's make it a criminal offence for our nation's politicians to even mention party affiliation. The fines levied on them would probably pay for the stimulus package.
My Republican friends and I are less divided now than we've been the past 8 years. If it takes the old guys in Washington some time to catch up, fine. While they're pouting, we're making decisions and shaping our country's future.
Boise, ID
Jack,
This country has always been divided between the rich and prosperous and the poor and struggling and that scenario is even more true today. The Republicans represent those who have the riches and who, in many cases, have gotten those riches through ties to corrupt government officials (just look at the history of the country.) The Democrats represent those who are struggling to find their share of the American dream and believe that the spoils of the capitalistic society should be shared by everyone. That's the basis behind the bitter divide and it is not going to change.
We could end the "divide" if the Republicans would stop trying to score political points against the Democratic administration.
That McConnell and others is still criticizing the stimulus based on things that aren't even included any more ...just exposes their hypocrisy and opportunism.
Too bad the media doesn't notice and just keeps repeating their talking points as if they have value for anything other than the 2010 election goals
Eliminate the political parties. Why do we need them anyway? They serve as mafia-like power brokers to divy out rewards for obedience and twist arms to gain political support for agendas that are not necessarily in the interest of the people or the politician. Why not let every person running for public office run on a platform of their ideas without party afiliation. This is the information age. We can handle it.
Jack,
Find some Republicans who understand the definition of the word compromise. The President made substantive concessions and all he got in return was a unanimous Republican no vote in the House. The only way the minority party will support our President is if they are permitted to write the bill as they want it, even though they drove us into this mess during the six years that they held the White House and both houses of Congress. President Obama was correct to remind Senator Kyle and others that "I won". He did win, which means we the American people want the change he promised. The Republicans are hell bent on blocking his efforts which will insure their further demise in 2010 and 2012.
Robert
North Port, FL
Jack, I suggest that the remaining Republican congressmen and Senators be invited to meet with Republican governers such as California and Vermont to work out solutions to the national emergency. It is easy to be a "lock step" zealot in DC, but, these useless jokers need to adjust their attitudes and appreciate that Republicans are struggling just as much as Democrats.
Well....the republicans could act like they just lost an election in a big way and start demonstrating a little contrition and a willingness to try to improve their image. They could do this by actually working with the administration instead of being against evrything Obama submits for the sake of being against everything Obama submits. The republicans are acting like petulant children.
Of course, the house of reps could have gone without porking up the stimulus package. That might have been a good idea, I think.
Run a strong anti republican campaign until we crush there prehistoric ideals. Keep replaceing as many as we can, until there is room for another party.
Put Me incharge;
1 stop the blame game !!
2 have bipartisan discussions on one issue at a time
3 when a solution is reached announce it as an American Solution not a republican or democratic solution
4 move on to the next problem
peterborough, nh
SERVE ONE TERM ONLY !!!!!
This would give some young blood a chance to run the government.
You can't tell me that some of these old dinosaurs in the congress and the senate are in touch with reality.
Let's do a national referendum asking Congress to elect new leadership . . .of both parties. This stinks, right now. These "leaders" are into a major disconnect with reality. On one hand they fan our fear of this acknowledged economic meltdown and much more, while at the same time playing position politics on the back of our misery. Many of the sound bites we get fom both D's and R's seem so disengenusous. We didn't wililngly engage in two years of electioneering hyperbole – and survive the unblelievable air time you gave it – just to end up with a less collaborative congress that in effect plays us for stupid. New leaders, Jack, please!
Jack, I don't think the divide between the two parties will be mended anytime soon. Obama is trying, but the Republicans are using that effort against him. I watch a lot of C-Span. From watching our legislative process I am sure of one thing, the Republicans in Washington DC have no concern for this little person (poor) in this country.
Simple, replace Pelosi and Reid as well as anyone else not willing to work for the good of their country not their party affiliation. No one is always right. There needs to be give and take. With the current heads of congress and mule headed republicans this will not happen
As long as one side opposes the other succeeding, it's impossible. The Republicans had control for so long, the Dems forgot what being in the majority was, but not for long. Like cockroaches when the lights come on, Republicans will soon be on the run.
Jack, we have the dumb and the dumber in Washington writing and passing bills that we live by, yet they can't get past doing whatever their lobbyist friends want them to do regardless if it helps the people or not, they just don't give a damn, they have tunnel vision and can only think of themselves. What a bunch of jerks
I think it disheartening to see the failure on part of both parties to work for goals and objectives rather than partisan agenda. I worked and voted for President Obama. Social programs from the Dems are still noble pursuits, but not in this legislation. Tax cuts and credits, do nothing. You cannot rescue this economy with incentives to spend. You could give the DJI top 30 Corporations a 50% tax break startring tomorrow. It will not create or preserve a single job, Jobs are created and sustained out of demand for goods and services. We will not recover with an economy of consumerism, spending tax rebates. We need to get people back to work, so they can earn an income, pay their bills (sic, credit debt) have health care coverage and feed their families. You don't need a new car if you don't have a job to go to and can't afford to go anywhere else.
We can't end partisanship, that's what are country is all about. We can end bitter. Each time a member of congress gets up to a microphone thinking he's all important, ask him if he has talked to someone from the other side of the aisle. Ask him if he's offered any compromise. Don't let them get away with spouting partisan bull. The media can help change the tone. Except maybe you, Jack, I think I like you better with a little "bitter" in your comments.
Work with moderate Republicans. If the wing nuts are so stuck in their Neanderthalic ideology, ignore them. They will look even more like idiots (maybe not in their own Neanderthalic states) when the economy eventually recovers because of the stimulus package.
The bitter pill to end the partisanship is for the GOP to swallow their pride. They can talk the talk, but until they start to walk the walk they will continue to be nothing but the same old partisan bunch that can never seem to get past their own stubborness. So much for reaching across the aisles! Looks like more of the same, right when our nation needs to get past the partisan bickering.
Right now the only thing the republicans are pushing is the self-destruct button. Some things never change and old habits die hard. The people suffering the most from the political rancoring are the less fortunate, who look to Washington for help while they struggle just to get the simple bare neccesities of food, clothing and shelter.
Semi term limits. After three terms in the House or two terms in the Senate, you have to stay out for one term. And, a law that says you can't run if you have lobbied for any for-profit group, ever.
Jack, the partisanship would end if Congress was on a pay for performace plan. No pay check, no travel, no vacation, minimum 40hour work week.
Jack, The entire Republican party needs a do over. They should all be sent back to preschool so that this time they can really learn to play well and get along with others.
Pack all of the Republicans along with Pelosi and send them on a fact finding trip to Afghanistan for about 3 months.
I am no overt fan of the Democratic party but I would argue that, for the purposes of setting the correct tone, we should at least start refering to the Republican party by what their name should really be: The American Nazis Party. I haven't been able to come up with a good one for the Dems and I am sure there is one, but the Republicans are Nazis-pure and simple.
Third Party!
Shoot the Republicans. I'm just joking, Jack. But it wouldn't hurt to remember that Congresspeople and Senators have large guaranteed salaries, secure homes (sometimes several), excellent health care they get to take with them when they leave, and one of the best retirement systems in the nation. It is easy for wealthy politicians to be nay sayers. They haven't lost everything they worked for all their lives.
Notice the number of commenter who criticize Reid and Pelosi? It is only because they are smart enough, if just barely, to know they can't get away with trying to stick it on Obama.
Simple, we all send the US Treasury via the new Administration all our paychecks (every week), our IRA savings, 401K contributions, and let the Congress see how responsible they can use it. I'm sure their smarter that we are, that why we voted for them. Then they give back to us what they really think we need to live.
Fire Congress. Let the President flip a coin. Heads = PASS. Tails = FAIL. It works for the NFL and it is so much cheaper.
Hey Jack...Go STEELERS...haha...
Anyways, I'm willing to bet that there are as many republicans who did not pay there taxes too. But, the difference between the Dems and Republicans is that the Republicans used the teachings of Christ to gain power over men to destroy nations. And that is a biggie. Sure President Obama will make mistakes. He is not immune to having humility put on his shoulders. But, he at least confesses when he makes a mistake, unlike someone else I know.....
The republicans are the reason we are in the shape we're in now. How stupid do they think the American people are?? They had their chance and messed everything up. Regardless of it's leadership in the house and senate, the democratic party is in the majority. I turn off the volume when I see idiots like McCain before the cameras with a microphone in his hand. One can only imagine the stupidity spewing from those lips.
Easy, get rid of all politicians and hire farmers, nurses, teachers, plumbers (and no not Joe) and a good old fashion beat cop. These are just a few of the types of people we need who understand the pulse a nation. Rich fat cats haven’t a clue on what is really going on other than how much money they have made on the back of the middle class.
More Elections.
If they can't all get along.....throw out the partisans that refuse to work together.
These people are so busy on their ego trips that they forget that they work for us.
Obama extended a hand in friendship to the Republicans and he drew back a nub. Time to get tough and abusive with thse thugs. They have proven themselves to be obstuctionist in this time of national crisis. End Them!
As long as politicians are voted back in by giving pork to their constituents, there will be no end to the divide. Term limits may help, but it won't keep old pols from becoming lobbyists. I agree with Maureen Dowd, watch the movie "Dave", now that's change we can believe in.
Republicans have to stop being Power Hungry or Scared to lose power. Its sad when our country is having so many problems and not 1 of them vote for something that could help. It should be more about who has the best ideas, the strongest leaders and not about what party you represent. A real leader ain't gone care about the party but whats best for Americans at the time.
OH, yeah, HUMILITY to ALL. They will all know soon that a higher power is come to hand out Humility to them in BIG doses..
By eliminating the Republican party. We vote everyone of them out, then put them on a slow boat to Alaska so that their Queen, Sara Palin can help them brush up on their speaking and interview skills, by golly, gee whiz, you betcha.
Change the whole Congress and get new blood in there, because the present Congress take the American People for granted.
Get rid of Pelosi- Reid , McConnell, Kyl, and Deminted!! Too much 'old guard ' not enough new blood doing the right thing for the people!
The lot is in denial..they still think America will reward pork politics..NOT ANY MORE>>>Call and ask for their resignation. 1.800.828.0498!
the republicans need to search deep and ask themselves do they really want to continue to habits from the last 8 years. they are in deep deep trouble, have they not read the writing on the wall? it is one thing to question and challenge, to raise questions and to propose alternatives that actually make some sense. they have to ask themselves the question about how they continue to come across to the american people by continually want to give a cut to the rich.
American's and politician's memory is so short- do people not remember why George 41 did not get re-elected? he had to raise taxes, why? because reagan's tax cuts did cost the country...
The problem is not Mr Obama, it is the fact he can't find a political figure that isn't crooked. This shows America what the people in control are all about. Washington needs an enema!
Nice little scam the republicans have going. When in power be the most brutally partisan administration and congress in this countries history and when out of power be the most obstuctionist congress in living memory – most filibusters in congressional history in the last two years, and then let Fixed News and the wacko rightie blovaitors leash lead the rest of the MSM to blame it all equally on BOTH parties.
And YOU are not guiltless here, Jack, awesome though you may otherwise be.
Extending legitimacy to the utterly illegitimate in the name of 'balance' and 'fairness' has done incalculable harm to this country.
I think if the Republicans and Democrates in the Senate continue to try to improve the stimulus package it will help. They are trying to compromise. I don't really believe the Obama camp planned to get everything in the stimulus plan. I look at some of the ideas and believe that they were planted in order to start compromise working. I just wish these senators would stop eyeing all microphones and camaras as an opportunity to speak "The TRUTH" according to their party.
Kick all the lobbyists and special interest groups out of Washington D.C. and let out lawmakers write the laws the People need.
Easy...tell the Republicans to shut up and do some real work for a change!
I think the president should continue his efforts in that regard. There has been an increasing meanness in this country for several years to the point where people want to kill anyone who disagrees with them. It will take time for people to begin to accept that there is a better way. So we can disarm them with civility.
Jack: The bitter devide between Democrats and Republicans got worse during the 8 years of the Bush Administration, and it take 8 years of the Obama Administration to get some civility back in the Capitol and the White House. At least, President Obama, is listening to the Republicans more than President Bush listened to the Democrats.
John from Alabama
Jack, I've said it before and I'll say it again, These politicians are doing more damage to this country than all the terrorists combined.
They have nearly destroyed our economic system, they have killed more people (no health plan), and they are making certain that we as a people stay divided by petty differences while Rome burns.
The entire country is at fault for letting the pathetic senators and congressmen and congresswomen get away with it.
If we do not unite as Americans and soon there will be no America, period.
When I heard that McCain was working on an alternate stimulus bill, I was even more grateful, if that's possible, that Obama is our President. The entire Congress needs to stop whining and carrying on. They need to look at the American people and really see us in our daily lives, not just as future voters. If they all get positive about Obama's plan, it will work fine.
Time and patience..... Jack, cool your jets! It has only been a few weeks! You can't change the divisiveness that has been prevalent for so so long. Take a chill pill and give the man a chance.
Outlaw political parties and make each candidate run on their own merits.
The prescription is simple stop allowing Democrats and Republicans to dictate the agenda when they are privately running secret campaigns for re-election. The only thing bitter in Washington is politicians who are trying to reclaim clout while neglecting the pending issues that American's face.
Partisanship still exists in Washington because the rules and personalities in Congress have not changed. My perception is that Pelosi and Reid are highly partisan and are acting too much like the Republicans acted when the Republicans were in the majority. On the other side, the Republicans are just as bad as they have been in the prevous eight years. The rules that are set up within Congress protect the people with the power and the status quo. Moderate Republicans and Conservative Democrats need to push for changes in the way that both parties act and function in the Legislative Branch. This includes replacing both the Republican and Democratic leadership in both houses of Congress.
Jack, The fighting between the two parties will never end. They fight forever to see which party can get the most bribes and make the most money on crooked deals. Their in it to make money for themselves and not help the voters with a bail out in any way. Soon it will be FUEDALISM all over again.
Terence , Piscataway,NJ
This is easy – TERM LIMITS – make Congresspeople live off of Social Security and Medicare like the rest of us. This should reduce the number of fat cat feeders at the public trough we currently have in Congress and fill it with people who genuinely want to help this country instead of themselves and/or their party.
Think about what's good for the country instead of themselves for a change. The biggest problem I see is that the republican party has forgotten that they aren't the party in power anymore. They still strut around like they own the place and demand that what they want in the stimulus package should be what the end results will be. They refuse to compromise in any way and will throw monumental tantrums if the president and the senate don't bow to their demands. They are the party of arrogant two year olds!
President Obama has tried harder than anyone in recent memory to reach out to the opposition. He has even chastised the Democrats for some of their entrenched partisanship. I think every one in the Congress needs to remember who they work for and listen to the people before it's too late.
We need division. How else can anything be checked and balanced?
I don't think there is a "bitter divide," per se. I think there are 686 election-driven egos who posture and feign strong belief or disbelief. The latest case in point - many were flapping their jaws all askance over how poorly the original TARP was oversighted and how the money was utilized by the banks. Now that Obama wants to control executive pay due to egregious abuses at taxpayer expense, there are a whole new group of flapping jaws going airborne. Perhaps, it's because they don't have a leg to stand on.
If you search deeply,(both parties) I think you will find out a lot of politicians have this tax issue or something similar. These people are not thefirst (check the record) I have friends who are out of work and others who have no insurance. We have some serious issues to deal with or has everybody forgotten. The issue at hand is getting people back to work. By the way, we gave each previous president more than ten days before we decided they were a failure.
How quickly the Senate and House has forgotten that the American people have learned a major lesson from Obama's election as president:: "One voice plus one voice will make a difference at the polls". We have learned to join together to get what we want. Next election mantra: "Old dogs need to be replaced by young puppies with enthusiasm and the desire to make a difference".
Jack:
I live close to WV and on the subject of changing Washington a hunter there told me that they are like varmints.in that there is no season on them and there is no seasoning to make em taste good.
Jack
Obama has done what he could with attempting to talk these ingrates into a cooperative venture. The country is more important that any political party and therefore, Obama should storm his stimulus plan through Congress with or without Republican consent. The House Republicans have demonstrated their effete nature so why not ram this proposal through the Senate. Forget about the doomsday filibuster from Republican senators. Given the obstructionist point of view and bad public relations, these republicans may cry "foul" but ultimately will become "fowl" by their respective constituents if nothing is done!
We need to overhaul our current form of government and instill a parliamentary from of government where there is accountability in the fact that if the voters are unhappy with those in power they boot them out and instill new members.
Jane
Sylvania, OH
There is no division. They are mostly liberal...except for Rep. Ron Paul and a few others! Maybe if we elect some conservatives, they could take rational thinking to Washington and fix the problems- be the opposition to boneheaded ideas which are in abundance these days. Case and point- the "stimulus" package.
Close the social divide; less rich, less poor, more in the middle. Oh yea I forgot. Thats Communism (LOL)
Vote Democratic. that seems to be the only way to get the obstructionist
party that wrecked the country out of D.C.
I truly believe President Obama's desire for bi-partisanship,
but the problem is the other side of the aisle; they're angry & resentful they're out of power & trying everything possible to get back in power.
At the expense of the American people.
The fact is there is already a perscription for limiting bitter partisanship but it is incumbent on the electorate to correctly assess if this partisanship was for their benefit or the benefit of the politicians.
That perscription of course is called elections but it is only valid if those participating base their choices on facts rather than party allegances.
There is another system that doesn't allow for or accept partisanship but that is called a dictatorship. So if people want a democracy rather than a dictatorship then they should do their part and vote intelligently.
Apparently by retroactively conceding all elections won by Democrats.
These boys don't like losing.
Take the running of the Economy out of the hands of both parties. This is the PROBLEM. Supply-side and no regulation "apes" 19th century Republican economics. Santa Claus-FDR economics is often just pork-barrel spending. Neither works! Put the Economy under the overall direction of a board of five economists (Larry Summers, Laura Tyson, Martin Feldstein, Robert Rice, and Paul Klugman). No Supply-siders out of Standford University's Herbert Hoover School of Business and Economics. Next, outlaw the practicing of Supply-side Economics by law because that's what caused this Depression and the Republicans are still advocating for more of it. Let the Congress be what is, a debating society. Ralph, Yakima, Wa.
Holy cow! Give it some time for goodness sake. It's been 2 weeks! The great part about 24 news shows and the Web is you don't have to wait for the 6 o'clock news. The bad part about 24 news shows and the Web is you have to fill the time with pundits and critics. Chill out everybody and let's have this discussion next year.
Get Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner and Mitch McConnel out of their so called leadership positions. Replace them with elected representatives who are really serious and intent on doing their jobs instead of earning vocal flatulance awards. There are a good number of new Democrats in both houses, but the GOP may have a problem. Are there any new GOP Congressional members?
Obstruction is not a bad thing is the party in power wants to do something that will harm our country in the long-term.
Lock Rush Limbaugh in a cave somewhere and never let him out.
Partisan gridlock prevents either party from driving this country off a cliff. That said, banning all lobbyists from the District of Columbia would help force Congress to listen to their constituents rather than special interests.
Don't blame the Republicans for being obstructionist on this issue. The bill is full of spending that is not necessary and very little of it will generate jobs. This is supposed to be a stimulus bill but it seems that the only thing it will generate is an unbeliveable sense of frustration that the folks in Washington just don't get it.
The only real problem is which party gets the credit for keeping America defenseless while it is clubbed like a baby seal .
Everyone should keep and open mind despite party affiliation. The power struggle is irrelevant because we all share the same country, states, counties, cities, neighborhoods, and so on. Government needs to be minimized and penalties on corrupt politicians should be swift and harsh. These are the people that represent us so they should also be made an example of when they misbehave. First and foremost we ALL need to start acting like grown ups and quit the bickering. Seriously, just grow up. Politics are just opinions and no one is right or wrong. It's not a competition!
Get of the Republicans why because they are pointing out all of the pork and waist in the stimulus plan that is supposed to help the economy. I thought OBAMA was against bills filled with pork and political gifts. He was also againsts lobbiests in the White House. He also promised that his administration would be eithical. Woops I dont remember what else he got elected on but maybe he will pull through on those promises. Hope and Change hahaha keep drinking the cool aid. He wants us to applaud this stimulus package because it has less pork than most bills. jeez what a leader.
Make it illegal for politicians to form political parties. Without having a label to go by, Americans might actually think about who would make the best candidate before they cast their vote.
I got it...Make all of the congressmen and women get paid based off of incentive pay. The better the country does….. the bigger their pay check. Then and only then will we see the parties coming together for one common purpose ..Their Pocketbooks!! Because it's obvious they don't give a crap about us or they would be working with the President . He Won ! We trust his ideas !Please let him go For it! We tried it the other way for 8 years and it didn't work. Wake Up people ! Please before it's too late!
Maybe people need to start voting for people based on their qualifications and not their skin color.
We had 8 years of Republican policies and they drove the country off the road and into a ditch where there was a pool of quicksand.
Why are we even paying attention and giving these people a voice at this point?? They had no forward thinking policies when they had the power and they certainly don't have anything constructive to offer now.
Thanks for playing our game, now SHUT UP!
I say recall them all back to their own home states and fire them and send some unemployed workers up there to take their places, maybe we'll get something done, and it'd certainly tork the jerks we have up there.
Obama has been offering the carrot, and it hasn't worked yet. Soon it may be time to add the stick. The leading economists tell us that tax cuts are the least effective form of stimulation, a fact that was proved last April. The30%+ of the stimulus package comprised of tax cuts were put there mainly to bring the Republicans on board. If that didn't work, and they stick to their dogmatic approach of "Tax cuts are the answer!! What's the question?" maybe its time to pull those tax cuts out of the package, since it seems that the Democrats will have the pass the package on their own anyway.
As long as fools like Mitch McConnell, Mike Pence, and sore loser McCain are part of the United States congress we are all in big trouble. Grab your behind and pray America. The Limbaugh party wants America to fail and will apparently do anything to make it happen. They are shameless.
John
Anderson, Indiana
It's like and infection and it starts to affect the whole body which is the US. One person (the president) can not change all those ole heads. But if he keeps chipping away at it eventually some will come around. What the republicans and dems are doing is ridiculous. If you can't work together then get out!
The conservative right needs to end its current pseudo -religion status. The Republican party needs to build and not just criticize and destroy. Quit turning Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin into the modern day prophets of the Republican Party. Even Ronald Reagan would be appalled at the condition of the Republican Party today.
Most of all, all government officials and senators need to place country before immediate self–interest. Quit being the modern day Pontius Pilates who wash their hands and put them behind their backs waiting to "see what happens".
You can't;it's their nature to disagree.
I would like us to change to the Mexican system where the president serves one six year term. No re-election campaigning after his first 2 years, but, six years of doing the best he can without the distraction of being re-elected.
David
do not bail out companies or states with taxdollars. put money into small business ( they are the real job creator, not government). punish the people that started this mess with fannie and freddie bailouts ( barney frank, chris dodd, john kerry etc..) no monies for sodding the national lawn, no money for contraceptives, etc.. this is nothing but pork barrel garbage. restart the housing markets with tax incentives for home buyers, do not extend credit to unworthy applicants, maybe if we use common sense approach instead of lousy political favors in a so-called spending bill(aka stimulus) we will be able to get joint cooperation between the parties.
Limit the congress to the same term as the President – 8
If people like you would shut up for a change that would help.
Simple...everyone needs to take a look in the mirror. Ask yourselves, are you part of the problem?
The rhetoric has to stop...we have to change the tone by listening to each other. We need to focus on the common ground we share MUCH MORE and less on the differences.
One last thing....the word COMPROMISE needs to be rediscovered.
Change only occurs when people really want it. Folks need to ask themselves, Do you want the tone to change or do you want "your side" to win? Until the former is more important, there will be no change.
Stop making "gotcha" a blood sport!
Get rid of all Democrats who prided themselves as obstructionists during the last administration.
I'm not very hopeful about any breakthrough with regards to the relationship btwn Dems & GOP. The Dems want catch-up and payback and the GOP want it all and a one party system.
Only when they truly experience pain and suffering will anything even budge; unfortunately, that would mean great suffering for the poor great unwashed aka. the Electorate (their emplyers)
I don't envy Obama: a good man with a thankless and probably impossible task. God, protect him.
I hope that Democratic and Republican voters alike will let their elected representatives know that the time for petty power squabbling is over. Sit down together, be civil, find common ground and take responsible action for the good of our country. Either we find a way to all win or we will all will lose. Jim Pipher
fire them all and start over.
Now is the time for the leaders of both parties to incorporate, first, only those things that a majority of both parties can agree on, and not force unacceptable provisions on the public as a condition of getting a needed bill passed. All Americans are truly disappointed that a lot of unnecessary spending which is not part of an immediate job-focused stimulus has been added to take advantage of the current crisis.
Disappointed in Orlando, Florida
Unitary executive.
What bi-partianship effort are you talking about? You mean the barbaric rules that Peloski has imposed in the house? That is bipartianship "reach out"? If Obama was serious, he would take on Peloski and tell her to remove those rules that pretty much blank out the House Republicans from introducing legislation. Gee, under Bush and Republican control there WAS bipartianship efforts ALLOWED to happen in the House. Hey while we are at it, want change-– real change? Then throw out every (dem/repub) incumbent in congress and implement term limits- Now that would be change I could believe in.
I think President Obama has so far done his best to try and improve the tone in Washington. The current problem with the stimulus bill stems from Congressional Democrats who seem to think that this bill is an opportunity to indulge in pork barrel projects that have no bearing on the economy, and Congressional Republicans who have been conditioned to think that all spending is bad spending...as long as a Democrat asks for it.
Get rid of extreme left and right people-
Get rid of the Democrats and Republicans.
This would require a level of common sense and practicality apparently beyond the mental capacity of most politicians. Here's an idea vote for intelligent people who want to make things better rather than loud and proud people who simply want to further their own party's agenda. There is a distinction.
to the dreamers who think its just the Republicans, think again.
By killing them all. Really they are all pieces of shixx anyway.
How about some good old-fashioned Canadian apathy?
First to all those who say get rid of all Republicans – have you gone on Congress.org and read the stimulus bill???? Might be an eye opener for you.
Second, I agree with so many here that say – No lobbyist money to any politician and term limits for all.
Oh and I almost forgot.. for the ignorant comments above that are pointing fingers, let's try not to see everything in red and blue. Both sides have great and awful ideas. As for the stimulus package I suggest people start doing the research to find out where those tax dollars are going. I'm not opposed to the idea of a stimulus package, but as for the one in the works, it definitely needs to be adjusted. It's absolutely loaded with liberal political agenda. We need something for the people and not for a party, democrat OR republican. We are ONE nation. Let's start acting like it.
Jack, bitterness is a natural by product of the two party system. It is a constant game of "I'm king of the mountain" and neither party will truly cooperate with the other until promoting the general welfare is the number one priority for both. There is an old saying that there is no limit to what can be accomplished if you don't care who gets the credit. Obvioulsy, that was phrase was coined by a priest, not a politician.
Tax cuts! Tax cuts! Tax cuts! So the wealthy can get wealthier, the executives and privileged can go on more elaborate junkets. This from the obstructionists who got us into this mess.
Denny
Orange County, CA
Simple, get rid of Republicans!
The only thing to do is to tell Republicans to sit back and be quiet because the past 8 years has proven that their ways do not work.
Both parties have to stop lying to Americans and blaming each other. Both parties are to blame for everything that has gone wrong. Tax cheats exist inside and outside the government and they are both Democrats and Republicans. Your average person will increase deductions for charities, medical expenses, etc. so they pay less taxes. Isn't that cheating on your taxes?? In these dire times, both parties have to set aside their "political beliefs" and "power" and thinkk about Americans. Republicans are not giving an inch to help solve any problems. As long as an idea is from a Democrat, they will not agree. All these politicians worry about is re-election and their own personal gains. If they don't start acting like human beings, we are all in deep trouble.
Yes the partisan divide is alive and well. At least Obama is trying to reach across the isle. Bush never even tried, it was his way or the highway. I guess the Republicans haven't yet gotten the message that the electorate wants a different approach.
Simple...Get rid of all politicians.
It is obvious that some folks here have no IDEA how we actually got into this mess. It was during the Clinton Administration when banks were REQUIRED to give out bad loans so that more minorities could "afford" to buy houses. Republican bank regulators told Barney Frank that this was coming, and Barney said shame on Republicans for trying to start trouble! So it is most definitely NOT republican politics that "got us into this mess." And paying for birth control pills and hollywood producers' movies, and not giving money to schools that allow prayer groups to meet, is NOT, I REPEAT NOT, the way to stimulate this economy. Obama is a farce. Doesn't anyone remember him saying that paying taxes was "patriotic?" Why nominate folks to your cabinet that are unpatriotic? Get ahold of yourself, Hussein.
TERM LIMITS, TERM LIMITS, TERM LIMITS....
Try consulting the Constitution. You'll find that the federal government isn't supposed to be meddling with the affairs they're dealing with. The founding fathers specifically made it difficult to take on new powers by requiring amendments to pass with a 2/3 majority in both the house and the senate. The 10th amendment says that if it's not listed in the Constitution, the federal government doesn't have the power to do it and that the power falls to the state or the individual. Show me where in the constitution it says the congress may pass these stimulus bills? The Constitution was set up so that congressman wouldn't have a large effect on everyone's lives.
The best way to end the Child's Play in Washington DC is at the Polls.
Get rid of all the republicans who still can't understand what happened back on November 4th. You are NOT the country's party anymore. The people have spoken and they want not just change but equality for all not just your rich friends.
Vote them all out of office and keep voting them out until they "GET IT"
Get Rid Of Republicans
period
There should be no parties.
Bitter? Republicans and Democrats have differred on the issues, but I have not seen much bitterness. That is because Obama has been restrained and has not condemned the Republicans for an unwillingness to compromise. The Republicans have been dishonest in their opposition to the stimulus plan and Obama has not taken the bait and has continued to show patience and continues to try and work with them. But it can't last much longer. There can be no new spirit of cooperation in Washington if both sides do not want it. So far the Republicans are convinced that only their plans are true stimulus and that anything the Democrats have proposed is merely pork. The said thing is that when Obama finally has had enough, the media will say that he has broken his promise to reach across the aisle.
Easy. Get rid of all those inhuman Republicans. Since they only wish we'd fail, let's start with them.
Note to Republicans, it was made abundantly clear during the last election that the American people want change and that they decided the democrats were the face of that change. STEP ASIDE. You were overwhelmingly beaten. Let the democrats run things for a while. If they're wrong you can boast all you want and you can gain back power. If they're right maybe they can actually put this country on the right track. Stop standing in the way.
Make all the DC big wigs trade place with "regular" Americans for a week. Believe me, after that, they will want to sing coom-bye-ya in order to not have to relive our lives again. I am a strong supporter of Pres Obama but I want him and every other decision maker to slow down!!!! I'd rather be patient and have positive economic results rather than another quick fix!
This bipartisan bickering that everyone complains about is how the government is supposed to function. If no can agree with a clear majority then the decision needs to be made at a lower level.
term limits
Term Limits know more than 2-3 terms. They stay on capital hill too long and start to feel entitled vs. doing the peoples work.
It's simple Jack, kick them all out of office and elect new representation. It is the ONLY way this will end. There is too much "old blood" in the House and Senate.
Change takes time. It is not going to happen overnight. We have to allow more time for this type of change.
How about getting rid of the Democrat and Republican labels and run under the American party. We are Americans after all. Quit pissing in each others Cheerios and get to work.
I think my brother is on to something... He says he's not voting for any incumbent Congressman for the next 6 years!
Too much dough! Pelosi, Reid gotta go!
I had high hopes for Obama, but if he can't govern from the center center, then there is no hope for us working smucks!
Politicians need to grow up and start thinking, and acting, like responsible, concerned human beings instead of tactical game-players.
I think it is time for these babies in the legislater to grow up and look around. We need all of them to work for us and not for themselves.
We put you there, we can take you out. Judy C
Simple .... Vote obstructionists out of office. We need legislators who can have contructive disagreements and do whatever needs to be done to move the country forward, instead of pointing out the other party's short-comings.
Jack, it happens every 2 years - Vote the Bums out!!
Administrative system are extremely difficult to change from the outside. Indeed, it is possible to change nearly every person in a system and for the system to be exactly as functional (or dysfunctional) as it was before.
So it is with the U.S.federal government. Bipartisanship is not a problem in the government – it is, in fact, a built in feature of the government.
What is actually needed for a change – and I'm pessimistic that this could happen – is for the country as a whole to have the will to re-examining our entire system and, ideally, alter it in such a way that bipartisanship is turned into multi-partisanship.
One last thing – it isn't necessarily a bad thing that the parties disagree. Having everybody agree all the time could very potentially be even worse for the country than having some members stand up for their principles. The issue, of course, is that its questionable whether principles are involved.
Simple. Put an end to the shallow, contentious media coverage designed purely to drive ratings and actually provide thoughtful, sober, deep reporting on real issues that actually matter.
There's only one way to improve Congress....rid our country of the Republican Party in its current form.
I was one of the Republican faithful for over 35 years . . and then along came the Newt Gingrich's and Rush Limbaughs. I wouldn't brake for a Republican at the moment.
Win-Win conflict resolution. My wife could help them with that as she manages it everyday with our two children. They (my children) seem to be able to handle the concept pretty well.
Easy! Term limits on Congress.
The way to end the bitter partisanship in Washington is to recognize that elected representatives of the people must work together to handle the people's business. Representatives of the people must be held accountable to the people that elect them. They have to work together in order to do what the people sent them to do.
Take some of these Republicans to the hood and to some trailer parks so that they can see how bad things really are. Maybe then they'll get serious about passing this bill and stop quibbling over minutia.
How about tell all the pundits and extreme left and right people to just shut the Hell up!
I bet they are the ones fanning the flaming about partisan.
First and foremost – all of those crowds who came out to vote last November should get there butts on the phone and let the Congressmen know that they want to see some bipartisanship. But then, we must realize that there is only so much that Pres. Obama can do himself with effecting bipartisanship – what else can he do – invite Republicans over for a sleepover? It's time for Congressional Democrats to step up to the plate – and Congressional Republicans for that matter to brush the chip off thier shoulders – and get to the cordiality and start getting work done. Nothing's gonna get better while their worrying about their hurt feelings.
Yes, it is simple. Don't re-elect anybody!
The bitterness could be ended by term limits for Congress just like the President. When you know that the job is "temporary" you don't waste energy or time trying to get re-elected forever, you would probably do a better job for the Country.
Clean house.
Kick out the Republicans. They are hardline extremists representing only the interests of corporations and billionaires. They are extreme ideologues who are obstructionist and highly corrupt.
Politicians always make a promise to "clean up Washington". They all lie regardless of party. We Americans need to clean up Washington by voting out all incumbents over the next two election cycles. Sent a clear message to Washington by kicking them ALL out and maybe the message will be clear that elected officials are there to SERVE AMERICANS, not themselves.
Your example of the spending spree bill is not a good one. Anyone with a brain and one eye can see that is merely a big payback for the interests that line the Democrats pockets. Republicans are being made to look obstructionist (and you're joining in) while they simply are being responsible with MY money.
Have Democrats and Republicans merge into one governing body and call it 'THE CONSTITUTION PARTY"!
Although I wish they wouldn't air dirty laundry in public so much, the partisanship serves a critical "checks and balance" purpose. I support stimulus, but we're about to spend a huge amount of borrowed money (to be paid by our kids and grandkids), and I'm glad someone is looking over Dem's shoulders to point out mis-guided expenditures and pork. Compromise may be messy, but hopefully result will be better.
Simple. Get rid of all the Democrats and Republicans in public office.
It will never happen. left is left and right is right and never the 'twain shall meet. A basic philosophical difference will forever keep things in gridlock.
Get rid of all the Repubs who continue to defend the SEC, defend their failed TRICKLE DOWN economic policies, and who BLOCK the progress we desperately need NOW to REBUILD our ENTIRE country.
Hi Jack,
The politicians in Washington should be reminded of two things. First, they are the employees of the people that elected them to do the business "of the people". Second, they should all look in the mirror and if they see a grown-up, adult, whatever, they should start acting like one.
When a husband and wife have strife in their marriage, they go to a counselor. Then it takes time to resolve all of the differences that are causing the problems. Why do we think the bipartisanship will end overnight?
Unless you want a one party system that will produce a government that resembles something like the People's Republic of China, the old Soviet Union, or Nazi Germany...learn to appreciate a divided Washington.
The more they argue and disagree, the less liberty-damaging legislation that they can pass!
It's become increasingly clear that the Republicans just don't get it.
Two years from now, we can get rid of some more of them and get on with the people's business.
Presenting a $900 billion dollar stimulus that does not stimulate anything other than liberals and their desire for a socialist state is going to cause problems with conservatives. The loony left cannot be trusted... see Tom Daschle, and Chucky Rangle for evidence of this.
We already filled the prescription by electing Barack Obama as President. Personally, I'm sick of everyone pre-judging his administration based on the first few days and weeks. I guess that's what we get with a 24 second news cycle though.
Simple, they need to compromise
The only way to end partisanship is for a third party to intervene. Americans can't be subject to a choice between two parties and be expected not to have a partisan way of thinking. Also, a third party would help soothe the bitter rivalry between the two parties if they have something else to focus on.
Another option would be that we don't vote for the super-partisan politicians on both sides.
Get McCain out of the mix!
This one is too easy, just vote all the Republicans out of office.
Also known as SOP "Stop Obama Party."
Jack
Put term limits on congress and senators and we will not have long held grudges like we have. Six years and out and no return will make things better, we have to many long term folks that build power and never want to leave it along with voteing for their own pay raises at night.
Kick the bumbs out and maybe we can get some rel work done for the people.
Jack – only one way to end this. We, the voters, need to vote out every Senator and Congressman who doesn't work in good faith to achieve a compromise approach to these problems. Between now and the next election – we need to write to all our representatives and tell them what we want. This will only stop when we hold all of them accountable. We need to become more important than party-line votes and special interests.
Ending bipartisian politics is simply a matter of time, some of the "good ol' boys" have got to fade away...and they will in due time,
younger people will handle A NEW PARADIGM.
get rid of all the good old boys and replace with fresh 21st century men and women who believe that is a privilege and honor and serve the country not a vehicle to promote self interests.
Shutting up the likes of Limbaugh, Coulter, and O'Reilly would be a good place to start. Duct tape anyone?
How about give it some time? It has taken a decade for our country and congress to become so divided...it can't be fixed in three weeks!
Redistrict the country so that the House's representative districts are more competitive. That would tone down the rhetoric.
First, it is "we the people". Second, it is "of the people, by the people and for the people". Our elected officials must understand that they work for us, we do not work for them. They are obligated and ordered to do the will of the people and not the will of the lobbyists. Bush and Cheney ignored that fact.
Invite legislators from both parties to the Whitehouse to congratulate Michael Phelps for his Olympic's wins and encourage him to bring his bong with him.
Dan
Victoria, BC, Canada
Nothing will end it. They are actors. Like Pitt, Cruise, O'Reilly or Rush. Being partisan is how they stay employed.
First, let's start with strict term limits to get the fossils out of Congress and bring in new blood. Too many people have been in Congress so long they get up in the morning asking what all of their supportive special interests want, not what their constituents and the nation actually needs. I also would ban television, radio, and newspaper coverage from most meetings so them Members of Congress would quit playing to the camera rather than talking earnestly with each other about what needs to be done. Now the least safe place around the Capitol is the distance between blow hards like Barney Frank, Charles Schumer, amd John McCain and a TV camera where they attack the other party.
Simple...legalize marijuana! Everyone will get along better if it were legal both republicans and democrats. It will create jobs, and could fix our national debt problems..
Funny, the very first comment comes from Venia who blames one party and says get rid of them. If they don't agree with me, they are the evil ones, get rid of them. The truth is, we need to get rid of all people in Washington who are like Venia.
How about if you give the man more than two weeks to get the job done? You pay attention to who it is who complains and determine where in their party they stand. If they stand on the far left or far right of their party, there is no such thing as bipartisanship. You simply write those folks off and leave them to wallow in their own narrow minds. Meanwhile, please, ask this question six months from now when we have all had a chance to move down this new road we are traveling and take our pulse at that time.
The illegal problem is not a political problem it is an American problem caused by any one of us that has taken the cheapest route .By hiring them these are the people that has caused the illegal problem.Why we're bankrupted is strictly greed and bad choices politically and otherwise.My opinion and I want to emphasize MY OPINION is that too many people the last 8 years let people like Limbaugh,Hannity,Colter,O'Rilley, all the mean spirited and bias reporting .As long as the Republicans let these type of people represent the party its on a down hill slide.What a shame!!!!!.The last election should have told them something (change your attitude and change the party)
That's easy, Jack. Eliminate all the Republicans. The president should be commended for trying to cut down the partisanship. But I think he's finding out that no matter how often he extends a hand to congressional Republicans, all he gets in return is a finger.
I think that the democrats specifically President Obama are trying to extend the olive branch to the Republicans. I get the sense that there is a lot of bitterness from the Republicans based on their political losses in November. Rush Limbaugh openly encourages dissension and bipartisanship. I suspect that at some point President Obama will stop trying to bridge the gap and will follow his good instincts to run this country as he needs to do whether the Republicans join in or not.
The answer we all hate – Dictatorship:).
Democracy comes with Partisanship most of the time with exceptions.
Jack, the answer is simple.. vote out the rest of the obstructionist republicans at the next election. Republicans are committed to stymieing the efforts or President Obama and will do anything possible to that end.
First brainwash the republicans of the me first solutions, i.e., $15000 tax credit for homebuyers. This is once again a 'take care of the well to do crowd' mentality. They must be convinced to work for the people. Second, convince the democrats from falling for every whining plea for money for absurd or not necessary now projects. We elected them. They should work for US!
The status quo is too lucrative for both parties for any "real change." The Democrats always want to use your tax money for social programs that need a complete overhaul. The Republicans always want to give citizens a tax break in the hopes they will go out and buy things they can't afford with money they don't have to boost the economy.
President Obama like all politicians, he told the American public what they wanted to hear. "I'm different; I have better way, blah, blah, blah."
Finally, give President Obama a break for goodness sake. The man has been in office less than a month. When was the last time you tried too clean up a mess of this magnitude?
Jack, Could a real bipartison bill be the answer to partisonship. DAH
In order for the healing to begin, the nation needs a scapegoat to repudiate along with the partisan bitterness... Karl Rove? Rush Limbaugh? Fox News? There are a lot of potential candidates for this role.
give everbody a bonus with the bailout money
Get rid of the pork in the bills and the legislation will pass in a more reasonable and partisan manner. Thank god for the republicans bringing all this pork into the limelight... most reasonable people can see that democrats are trying to make us slaves to big government with this legislation and larger government will only make the US weaker. Theres a reason for the balance of power: big government only ensures the ignorant will continue to elect big government to solve their problems rather than the people solve their problems themselves. I support the president, not his pork in the name of stimulus!
President Obama needs to keep doing what he is doing. Change takes time.
Isaac from Queens, NY.
Every Republican and individual who voted for Bush in the previous
election has to donate $100.00 to the American debt. If they refuse then Dick Cheyney should make up the difference.
Thank goodness Obama is at the helm and good luck
to all
Get rid of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi for starters. They are far too left to do anyone any good.
End the two party system! Either find a way to add more viable choices to the system or have one party. The two party system is acting like a married couple in need of a divorce, but is staying together for the sake of the kids. Petty, meanspirited, and unable to forget/forgive past transgressions is the was of Washington! What to do, what to do?
Jack, It's simple, throw the lousy bums out. J.B.
Fire everyone down to the last janitor, including partisan voters like many who have posted here who are simply egging on members of Congress and their cheerleaders in the press to be just as divisive as they are. The 'bitter divide in Washington' has always been there to some degree. There was a time when this phenomenon was pretty well confined to Washington. But not anymore. The me-first, my way or the highway mentality, along with the over the top rhetoric of our national politics is an increasingly accurate resemblance of the country at large. It starts not to matter whether the pols are taking their cues from us, or whether we're taking our cues from them. What matters is that there's no longer much disconnect between us and them. That means we either approve of what's going on in DC, or we don't only because we haven't looked in the mirror.
get rid of all republicans!
How about this novel solution: VOTE LIBERTARIAN!!!
Putting more libertarians in Congress and the House would finally bring some sanity to the Federal Government by reducing it's size and increasing the importance of local governments (which actually gives a voice back to the people in those local areas). Expecting US citizens to have agreement across the United States creates confusion in the Federal Government; with more localized power, we can exercise our vote with a moving van and the Federal Government can be shrunk down to size.
The Republicans just can't accept that "fat meat is really greasy." Their losses in 2006 and 2008 has not made believers of these fools to date...well, let's wait for 2010. Steele's mind has been altered a bit, but he hasn't really become that much less conservative.
there must be some sennators that have paid their taxes. like patty murray or someone from colorado or from other states that ate NOT washingtndc hanger onners. why does everythng have to go to the local cocktail party mixers..
we need some new blood in the capitol and both mccaim and mconnal need to have their mouths washed ot with soap. these two ar so hateful I wonder how they can stand up.
Bitter? Republicans and Democrats have differred on the issues, but I have not seen much bitterness. That is because Obama has been restrained and has not condemned the Republicans for an unwillingness to compromise. The Republicans have been dishonest in their opposition to the stimulus plan and Obama has not taken the bait and has continued to show patience and continues to try and work with them. But it can't last much longer. There can be no new spirit of cooperation in Washington if both sides do not want it. So far the Republicans are convinced that only their plans are true stimulus and that anything the Democrats have proposed is merely pork. The said thing is that when Obama finally has had enough, the media will say that he has broken his promise to reach across the aisle. Only when the media and the people condem the Republicans for being obstructionists will they finally start to work with the Democrats.
Well, since we can not "fire" any of them until the next election, I would hold their paychecks (all legislators) until they decide to do what is best for the people of this country instead of trying to get their faces on tv.
Vote every one of the gop out of office. It,s time we took our country back.
I think President Obama has a plan, it's just going to take awhile and it might even take years, but what it will do is abandon the "old way" of thinking.
I'm 24 years old and what I've come to find out is that my generation has ideas that once were impossible to execute. We have a strong sense of self , a strong sense of importance and compassion towards others in and out of this country. I think President Obama is paving a path towards a better future, we don't want to be isolated, we want to participate, we don't want small government that doesn't do anything, we want solutions and we want leaders to impliment them. We're a million(s) strong, and no we're not that army of the apocalypse we're the army for world peace, we're the new tomorrow. 🙂
Send Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to Getmo with a one way ticket.....that would be a GREAT start!
make a maximum time in office like the president 2 term's
no more
or vote all the incumbent's out
that is the only way it will work
i had a friend that went to congress meeting and they wheeled bird in in a wheel chare when they voted his care giver had to lift his arm up to vote
NOW THAT IS WAY TO LONG TO BE IN CHARGE OF ANYTHING !!!!!!!!!
Why is the tone of this report that the Republicans are the culprits in the House's party line vote on the stimulus package? There was no debate or review of the items in the package. Speaker Pelosi presented it to the house and said- (paraphrasing now) –
'Pass this. Don't bother looking at the individual items – we (Democratic house leadership) has determined this is needed, so button up and pass it.'
Just because Obama shows up on the hill and does some cheer leading for the bill does not show he is willing to work with Republicans. It shows he would like to get some of their votes for the bill as is – without any changes except for the obvious one of removal of the dollars for family planning.
The recent listing of the waste contained in the bill passed by the house only reinforces the correct thinking of the Republican representatives.
If you want to look at bipartisanship on the house vote, consider that there was more bipartisan support for voting down the bill than for passing it. Even some Democrats could see that it was trash.
When I was little, I remember my mother giving me some awful medicine when I was sick. She use to tell me stop complaining and take your medicine. I guess you could tell the Republicans that they lost the election so shut up and take your medicine. I still think that the republicans need to borrow the democrats mascot, since they act like a bunch of jack asses
Jack, you know it, I know it, everyone knows it, for 80% of the people in government, it's all about money and power and as long as it is all about money and power and not about you and me, it wont change.
If the Republicans continue to act like they are still in power and stick to politics as usual - not to worry - the voters want change and change they will have when there no Republicans left in Congress after the midterm elections.
The best way to get rid of bipartisanship is to get rid of all party affiliations and just have senators and representatives from the various states. If all the members of the Senate and the House are just politicians, then there would be no party lines because there would be no political parties. True, it might get confusing at election time but maybe then we, the voters, would have to actually vote for the person running instead of just voting along party lines.
The answer is for all of us to get over the last 8 years! For the Republicans, they need to be very cognizant of what has happened to this Nation under their control, and how this Nation responded to it.
For the Press, they need to forget about the President lying to them because that is just not going to happen!
For those of us that voted for President Obama we need to be vigilant in the duty of pressing our representatives in Govt. to follow through on the dream.
How do you end the bitter partisanship in Washington??...How about ending political parties, there should not have to be bipartisanship, there should just be 535 people working for the American People. George Washington was right!!!
In what took over 8 years to divide our nation so bitterly along party lines, why is that both the public and press think that President Obama can change it all in exactly two weeks. Patience! Ask the question again in at least 6 months to give both sides of the aisle the chance to digest and readjust their ways!
If most of us acted in our interest at our workplaces, acting on deeply rooted resentment, we would be fired. I think it is time the American Voters start recalling Representatives when they don’t act in their interest. Imagine how effective Congress would be if they were afraid of loosing their job...
Make them sit together. All this " I had the courage to work across the aisle" is childish nonsense. I fact it's worse. I had to do a science project in 5th grade with a little girl. I didn't want to sit with her either but we got "C" which is better than I would give congress. Make them grow up and work together.
Jack, make sure all elected office holders and appointees pay their income tax, pay for their health insurance, pay for their medical insurance and pay for their retirement plan.
That will bring them together and often; perhaps even work overtime to get this country's mess cleaned up. Then they can go back to the change you can count on. Reverse this law and re-establish their welfare status.
Jack, it's simple the Republicans needs to get over losing the election.
Require all of Congress to learn conflict resolution, together, at the Jimmy Carter Center for Conflict Resolution in Atlanta. It is so sad to realize our elected officials are following the likes of Rush Limbaugh instead of truly looking out for us. I am very disgusted both with the Republicans and I also think Nancy Pelosi could have done something to avoid this showdown. The Democratic leadership should have paved the way for President Obama to have a smooth slide into bi-partisanship. I'm 64 years old and I don't think I have ever been so discouraged.
Have the republicans realize that thay lost and the american public won'ts Obama to have a chance to fix the economy. So suck it up and get over you self and sign the fricking bill. We trust him by 70% now. Keep going and you won't have a republican in office.
The solution to end the bitter divide is to send all of the Republican Members of congress back to college and require them to take macro-economics 101, where they would learn that running an economy and the government is not the same thing as running a hardware store.
Take my 55-gallon barrel of whup-ass to the Hill, draw out about 2 quarts (maybe less is needed) and proceed to apply some whup-ass to those who so richly deserve it. Heck, the 110th and the 111th are two of the most effete. ineffectual Congresses I've ever witnessed. They couldn't talk there way out of a phone booth. Make that one pint.
It's cold here in Chamblee, GA.
If you're going to have term limits then you need term limits on staff also, else each new Rep/Dem will simply hire the staff from the former Rep/Dem. The issues are too big and too complex for anyone to grasp across the board without specialists who have studied each issue; so changing the guy out front doesn't change the perspective of the relative staff members who have grown up within the party system. It's also true, IMHO, that term limits only increase the power that the lobbyists enjoy for the same reason.
If we could elect some polititians who would think like Statesmen and put the country before petty party ideology we would automatically have bye partisan agreement, Fat chance of that happening, Ed V Florida
Maybe yoga, it might help them get their head out of their ass.
Partisanship is not always bad Jack. Both parties have different views on how the country should be. So to just call for bipartisanship can be dangerous. The only subject that should always be done in a bipartisan manner is protecting civil rights and the rights that are delegated to the people by the rules of the constitution. Other topics like universal healthcare should be fought aggressively by the principles of the each party's platform. We have seen with the bailout mess, that bipartisanship is not always good. So adhering to the constitution is a way to bring the parties back in agreement.
I think memebers of Congress should read their history and look for those who used compromise such as Daniel Webster, George Washington and Henry Clay just to mention a few. I don't just mean Republicans but also Democrats. I think President Obama is trying to do the right thing and end this partisianship. Too bad Pelsoi, Reid, Boehner and the rest of those bull headed, self centered Dems and Republicans. I am a life long Democrat and will be till I am in my grave.
Hello Jack,
I think that they forget that they work for the people and can also be fired by the people. I think we should all write our congressional representatives and tell them that we are sick and tired of all the bickering and if it does not stop we will remember them when its time to vote .
Simple ...they all grow up and stop grandstanding – realize that you have different ideas....change the stimulus package to include only ideas that will involve renovating, updating, building, or manufacturing. In other words, things that begin a chain of stimulus... Things like updating Walter Reed – a contractor will hire people, use and buy equipment, supplies etc., renovate and add on to the Smithsonian, update National Parks, build and repair roads. Other plans as well – buying computers will in turn produce jobs manufacturing these same computers. Anything else is scrapped for another time. No birth control, nothing like that. Bare bones stimulus. Build, change, renew.
Term Limits!!!
Hey Jack!
If the media would try spreading some good news every so often
there might be less division not only in the White House but all over
the world.........Jack you are one the ring leaders....make this world
a better place for us ALL!
Well Jack until politicians like Nancy Pelosi become more open minded and ready for "change" bipartisanship will be very hard to accomplish.
Debbie
California
The President needs to use his "bully pulpit" and go directly to the American people. Name those, from either party, who refuse to work together. We elected Obama to bring "change" and he needs to remind those living in the dark ages there is another election in 2010
where "change" may come "knocking on their doors."
Simple - get rid of them all - both sides of the isle - these are the knuckleheads who got us into this mess I think its foolish to think there going to get us out
As a Republican and the losing party this time around I expect at some point the Democrats are going too reward their special intrests or the groups that stuck with them thru the Bush years. However their is a time and place for everything and a Bill that may either break or make our great nation is not the place too add on Pork rewards for your partys special intrests. The problem is twofold, the majority of politcians put party first then the people second and the democrats are scared that if they dont pass out the pork now with this bill they will not be able too as we tighten the belt in the upcoming years.
I guess they didn't understand the message of the election. Pres. Obama's doing all he said he would do; what we elected him to do. They (republicans) should get out of the way before there are no republicans left!!
Add strong third and forth parties? Both parties now consist of very partisan sub parties... Or abolish parties altogether.. Except Wild Parties! On a somewhat off topic issue. It's great that children are getting extended health care aid. But, I find it interesting that when the oxygen masks drop down in an airliner parents are instructed to put on their own mask before their childs. The reason for this is obvious. My question is: How are sick uninsured parents supposed to take care of their kids?
Why in the world would you expect something that has been going on so long to change so suddenly. The man has ony been in office a couple of weeks! Wait a year and then take the poll.
Simple Jack. Link the economic recovery results to each member of the Congress. Things get better, you get free franking privileges. Goes down, you get charged for your mail outs. Things get better, you get free lunch, things get worse, you buy lunch.
How can we believe anything liberals say when you have Nancy Pelosi saying that 500 million Americans are losing their jobs each month. That means that every American will lose a job twice this month. She is either a liar or as dumb as they come... Probably both!
Let all those that are sitting on their hands (Republicans) up there in Washington, trade places with some of us who have done more to keep American going and losing more then those u there that have not.
Let them stand in the unemployment lines for us, or talk with the banks that our taking our homes. Wait some in Washington have more then one so they wouldn't be hurt.
They need to get off there high horses and quit giving us the bad end of that horse and start thinking like regular people.
My idea for getting rid of partisanship? Remove those who have a record of taking a partisan stand on more than 10% of the issues. - Oops, that would mean that most of the Republican politicians would be looking for a new job.
What did you expect, Jack? Give Obama an "A" for effort on bipartisanship, but his severe lack of experience is showing. Voters should think hard about this thing called experience before casting a vote based on who makes a better television appearance. Also, if the President is going to preach about choosing hope over fear in his inaugural address, he should wait longer than two weeks before invoking fear to get his "stimulus package" loaded with pork through Congress. Looks like more of the same from where I'm sitting.
Limit the congress to the same term as the President – 8 YEARS MAX
Eliminate the rediculous life time salaries they receive after leaving congress.
Make them pay social security taxes, just like the other 200 million Americans
Finally, Have the IRS audit every politician in Washington every year they are in office. They seem to have plenty of time for the other millions of audits they perform each year, whats a couple of hundred more. I think most everyone would do things a little different if they new an IRS audit was coming at them every year they were in office.
How do you end the bitter partisanship in Washington??…How about ending political parties, there should not have to be bipartisanship, there should just be 535 people working for the American People. George Washington was right!!!
Get rid of all the damn Republicans!
As long as we live in a country that believe that competition as oppose to compassion is the way to live we will always have more of the same in Washington. Win at all cost mentality
When the old dog is licking his wounds, he's not very friendly. The Republicans took a spankin' in the election, but they haven't learned a thing. The Republicans snapped at the heels of Clinton for 8 years. Getting a little bit of their own medicine doesn't taste very good. They are going to bite for a while. The new Administration needs to push back, and get done what desperately needs to be done. The Republicans will be back in the "Bully Pulpit" soon enough.
Jack,
Thats easy. Get rid of all the Republicans hell bent on destroying our great nation.
This is what we need Jack. All of us need to realize that we are human and you know what, that means that none of us are perfect. Therefore we must learn to count on each other to get things done. Ending this whole battle between left-wingers and right-wingers is finally being talked about by everyone. The most important thing we need to realize is everything takes times. I think President Obama having that Super Bowl party is an awesome idea and it sounds like it brought the politicians heads our of their butts and starting listening to one another!
Let te President try for a couple more weeks and then tell the Republicans to go to hell and get on with his campaign promises. Bipartisanship is a pipe dream and will never be accomplished in Washington.
the MEDIA says that the two sides are not getting things done in D.C. right now.
we were supposed to fix 8 years of mistakes in a month????
to the lefties... the Democrats were said to dying a few short years ago, they were distarced . torn, fractured and worthless (well still worthless) becarefull of your gloating... The fact is it ebs and flows.
Oh The last democrat who was this loved with this much high retoric was named Jimmy Carter. What did that get us...... 4 years of pain and 12 years of decent leadership...
As for creating a party of reasonable people seeking reasonable goals... There is one normally it would be called Republicans as soon as we purge the neocon and go back to traditional values. that is...
Prediction Dmocrats loose seats in the mid-term elections Obama approval ratings drop like a rock and are hovering near 50% by the end of the year.....
Glad to see you back Jack...
I thik the solution is for the folks, both the donkey and the elephants, in Washington to stay focused on the idea it's not about them...but about the people throughout the whole country.... And that they too could be without a job like the guy in Ill.
We have met the enemy and it is us – the voters. We keep voting in the Pelosis, Conyers Waxman types and comparable GOP types instead of getting rid of the obstructionists & haters on both sides.
At present, I would simply remove everything the GOP doesn't like from the stimulus bill and vote on the darn thing to get us moving then sign an executive order banning the utilities from turning off anyone's utilities for 6 months. That will buy a little time to regroup and keep folks from nosediving from tall buildings.
My solution is to have the republicans start thinking about average citizens. That's people that make less than $40,000 a year. And not to take advice from Joe the plumber. What does he know???
Justin M,
Denver, CO
I don't believe the climate is bitter.....Energetic debate is always healthy....We must remember everyone is trying to reenergize themselves from 8 years of clinched fists towards everyone that didn't agree with them.
President Obama is trying to reach out to the entire Congress...Let's work together.
The prescription would be to not take a crisis and use it to push in all of your pet projects. President Obama said it was "shameful" for Wall Street to be taking $18 billion in bonuses. He was right. Just as shameful was the House Dems trying to take advantage of the current situation to push their agenda.
Jack, first of all it's only been a couple of weeks since the new administration has been in charge. Change takes longer than that. I am still hopeful to see that.
To end biparisanship, make the salary of Congress dependent on their performance. Just like there is a jury for a court system. There should be a "jury" of registered voters who review the performance of Congress and decide on their performance (attendance, legislation, votes that represent their constituents).
In the words of the almighty Eric Cartman, "Democrats piss me off!"
It is so funny reading people who blame the republicans. Tax cuts don't work for an economic recovery. Well neither does "150 million for STD studies for the CDC" or how about this one i love this one "10 million for polar bear research in Maine" thats right polar bears in Maine. Way to go dems that will help the economy. Gotta love dems give them power and all they want to do is spend so much money it hurts my eyes to see the zeros. All the republicans want is to focus on something that will put money into our pockets not pet projects for the dems. Way to go Obama maybe you and your ever dwindeling cabinet can come up with a good idea, unless your all to busy dodging taxes. Gotta love dems, you want to increase taxes so you can spend unreal amounts of money, but you don't want to pay them.
Do away with the 2 party system, make everyone an independent
Get rid of both parties! They behave more like 5 year olds than adults with the people's interest at heart.
The problem is that congressional districts have been gerrymandered to create partisan "safe" districts. This is why House is much more partisan than the Senate. Representative from these districts have no incentive to compromise because there is no political diversity in their districts. Congressional districts need to re-drawn along geographic rather than political lines to that representatives cannot rely only on their party bases.
Have the small Republican group who seems to be the leaders, take off their white robes and cone hats and try to help the people who are in desperate times instead of making trouble. Also quit listening to their fat grand wizard.
remove them from office now
Congress truly represents the people, as exemplified by the posts on this board – all morons.
My prescription is patience. President Obama is just a man, not a miracle worker.
Have President Obama, speak to the 53 million people that voted for him and give each one of them the e-mail address to their senators and congressman and tell them to vote for our Country...not for the ideology.
Obama has been president for 2 weeks and I think he's showing a heaping helping of change. BUT, he is one man. Just because Congress is slow to grow up doesn't mean change has not come. Settle down, everyone. I'd prescribe a large dose of patience and tell everyone to focus on unity and the common good. If they stop fighting then EVERYONE can take credit for saving us.
Hold your representatives accountable. Write them, call them, make your voice heard on the issues. Demand they put the people first or we don't check their box on the ballot next time. Tell them to knock off the bickering Nero fiddling while Rome is burning stuff. I was taught that when you don't speak out against wrongs, you are just as bad as the person committing the wrongs. Speak up!
My solution (if possible) to at least reduce much of the partianship sniping is to send Rep. Palosi, Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. John Boehner back to their respective homes for good.
Our president is a uniter, and I believe his strategy works, especially with what little time he has. He believes that sometimes the best of both ides can work together. That is what he campaigned on and it is a promise he has carried out. I love the man.
Instead of having Democrats on one side of the aisle and Republicans on the other, seat them so they're all mixed together. If it works in schools to break up cliques, maybe it can work in Congress.
Term limits is the way to go, 12 Years in the house, 18 in the senate.
I don't think there's any way to get bipartisan support. The republicans have no interest in working together. If they did, you would see more things happening with the recovery plan. Obviously the republicans see 2010 coming up rapidly and they aren't smart enough to know they are taking the wrong approach even after the major drubbing they just received.
It will never be solved Jack. As long as Washington is run by politicians with only their own interest in mind and not the interest of the average American, it will never change. None of them have been listening to any of us, as they all think they are sooo much wiser than any of us. I'm still waiting for my "trickle down economy" to trickle down to we ordinary average workin people. The only ones that are any better off is them!! Too bad we can't give them any of our thoghts and ideas. We aren't as stupid as they think we are...
The best way to end this bitter divide, is to expose the Obstructionist Republicans. CNN and other media sources, should take the Republican's version of how they think the Spending should be done, and Expose it. What they are suggesting is Far more than the Democrats, it merely is for what they think our money should be spent on! Someone needs to lay it out for those easily led sheeple in America to see. The Republicans have decided that the only way they think they can get back to the majority, is to try and fight Obama every step of the way, the way they did to Clinton. When do you think Ken Starr will be hired to come in and start trying to dig up some old affairs of Barack, some sleazy deals that Michelle has been involved in, and all those dead people connected to them? 2010 elections cannot come too soon for me, so that we can finally clean more of these Republicans out once and for all !
The best tool that I've used in Corporate America to gain consensus is called Matrix Decision Making. It takes all of the politics and self-interests out of the process–getting folks to prioritize the needs and then do the strength of the correlation of each proposed solutions. This tool can be used on any spreadsheet, and it works well if used open and honestly.
Check your ego and ideology at the door.
Stick to the facts.
Typically, the louder someone speaks, more often than not, the less facts they have.
Jack,
Thats easy. Get rid of all the Republicans that are slowing down and/or obstructing the reconstruction of our great Nation after the disaster known as "W". By force if need be.
~Harry from Concord, CA
I have never seen a presidential candidate go to such lengths to try to
end the partisian ship. Most of them make promises, and never deliver. You have to admit, that Obama has made a concerted effort to end the bipartisanship in Washington. If the current crisis isnt enough to make these people end the partisanship and make hard choices that arent politally driven, then we need to weed the lot of em out of office and start over again.
Thom Bate
Ft Lauderdale
Congress needs to spend less time inside the Beltway among their constituents on Main Street, hearing our stories and understanding our needs and concerns. By and large, they simply don't get it.
Jack, you and most of your followers posting on the board are also the problem. Most of you don't have the slightest clue how the real world works. Fortunately, Obama doesn't agree with you partisan hacks most of the time.
Things will never change with the current structure of government. Things in this world come in opposing pairs. Night & Day, Good & Evil, Male & Female, Stop & Go, Up & Down, Protons & Electrons, Hot & Cold, Ones & Zeros.....and on and on. Asking Republicans and Democrats to work together is like asking someone from Arizona to root for Pittsburgh. It will never happen. I don't have any answers how to fix it, I would just like to point out that until people realize that it is a waste of time to try and accomplish bipartisianship we can't move forward. I say add a thrid branch of goverment. "The Individual Branch". In todays digital age, all laws should be put to a popular vote. It's way out there, I know, but if millions of people can text in a vote for American Idol, then I'm sure we can figure out a way to allow people to vote on their futures. That way there is no one to blame.
The divide cannot be bridged unless the Republicans put the welfare of the nation above party politics.
To believe there can be an end to bitter partisanship in Washington is wishful thinking. You have two groups of people diametrically opposed in their approach to almost every issue they face. These groups on Washington only reflect what is going on in America as a whole.
I think all the members of Congress should spend at least a week in Detroit with an unemployed family and do a "week in the life", waiting in line for unemployment checks, shopping with food stamps and in food banks, standing in long lines to fill out job applications.... It doesn't have to be Detroit, Michigan. Pick a state.
maybe just maybe if these republican bush cronies would reacess their ideas on tax cut tax cut and focus on finding other means to help not hinder our probable recovery.Their just trying to flex what little bush muscle they have left.
Maybe someone can encourage our representatives that we the people understand the times we currently live in. It might be the only good time they will have to break from the usual and show some togetherness, this might just begin something good? Ya think.
Duct tape the mouths of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh – and, if there is any left over after covering those "Big Mouths," duct tape Cheney's too.
The solution is rather simple. We need legitimate third and fourth political parties to be part of our system. Otherwise, you will always have a divide because there are only two groups involved. A debate, in real terms, is more than two opposing groups in a power struggle. It's an exchange of ideas that allows for a combination of those ideas to be born. Most people have come to see a debate much like a sporting event; a winner and a loser. Both the left and the right have their extremists who are so far to their side that they can't even see the middle, let alone get there. Those closest to the middle on either side should become viable third and fourth parties that would carry as much crediblity and voting power as the Neo-Cons and the Neo-Libs. And yes people, the Neo-Libs are just as whacky as the Neo-Cons. Although, I would ultimately side with the Neo-Libs because a Theocracy would be intolerable.
I personally dont see anything wrong with partisanship. Each party fundamentally approaches problems in a different manner (well, supposedly–Bush had no problems blowing a budget and he is a Republican). Thank God there is some debate about the next "stimulus package–it brings the details of the package to the forefront of american political discussion and motivates the people to voice their opinions. I for one think that the republicans were right to block the stimulus bill. Seriously, who in their right mind thinks that money to fund foreign abortions/family planning is going to stimulate the economy? Lets stick to the basics people! If we are going to borrow from our future–only spend money on those projects which will surely create jobs and are necessary! Infrastructure, etc.
Are the Republicans still reacting to their Nov 2008 election lost by continuously undermining Obama's Administration present day efforts to get us off the Republic mess of 8 years? Funny that the focus is on the Republican daily try to one-up those that are trying to dig us out of the hole.
Jack, Our prescription for change in our government was written back in the year 1999. We had a chance to cure our ills and chose to ignore what had to be done. We have had three chances to get rid of our ills but ignored the offer. My prescription is: Clean out the house of representatives,And start on the senate the next election. A good dose of EX-LAX should do the trick..
Nothing changes until the average voter is not a total moron. This election was a joke and a travesty, all rolled up into one. The next Congressional elections will be much more important than the recent Presidential one, and most Americans won't even show up to cast a ballot.
Get rid of the outdated, divisive nature of Congressional representatives sitting either "left of aisle" or "right of aisle." Establish a new seating chart that puts each of them next to a member of the opposite party. Perhaps this would encourage them toward more open and friendly dialog. Just ask any classroom teacher how it works.
Republicans are still trying to win the race! They lost because WE knew they were using dirty politics, I guess they haven't yet figured out that WE ARE NOT STUPID, and it's all just a game to them, they are not in this for our country, just themselves
President Obama is a gentleman and demonstrates integrity and openness in his dealings and concern for our nation.
Sadly, there are others in our government who don't care about voters and are clearly on the side of the forces that have gutted our government from the inside.
These are the folks who act like oppositional children, exaggerating, creating sensationalism, and generally tantruming whenever a camera is handy. They distort but give no information or reason.
As a voter, I'm taking names.
Where was all this bluster when it mattered during the last eight years?. Funny, not a peep from this crew when Halliburton was getting no-bid contracts, when investment "products" and "Enron loopholes" hijacked the wealth of our nation. This was all done while screaming "terrorist" every single time anyone raised an question.
Be the squeaky wheel. Let our elected representatives know that gridlock and partisanship will no longer be accepted. Call them, write them. Then call them again. Remind our Congressmen that they are also subject to lay-offs. We have a name for congressional pinkslips- ballots.
I get a kick out of the Democrats ripping the Republican congress-critters for being "obstructionist" when I absolutely guarantee they were all complaining about their own party giving Republicans/Bush a "blank check" for 8 years. That's called hypocrisy folks...
We need debate and compromise to have anything of any substance accomplished by these clowns.
Having said that, gridlock works great too (I seem to recall pretty substantial gridlock under Clinton when the Repubs returned from the wilderness themselves (albeit briefly) and we BOOMED economically.)
We need either gridlock OR compromise.
We do NOT need one party running roughshod over the other, it's how we get screwed (see first two years of Clinton, Bush II, Bush I, Carter and Johnson for examples).
I would say conservatively that only about 12 years of my 42 on the planet have been "good" from a Presidential/Congressional/Political standpoint – six under Reagan and six under Clinton. Both administrations fought fierce partisan battles and only when there was gridlock or compromise did anything "good" happen.
Send a copy of a check made out to the other party to your local congressional rep or Senator and tell them it's going in the mail by the end of the month if things don't change. Dems need to call out Dems. Republicans need to call out Republicans.
One way to get a bipartisan bill would be for the democrats, who are in power, to only put 50% of their ideas into the bill and let the republicans put 50% of their ideas into the bill. What usually happens is that the party in power doesn't want to give that power away.
Plain and simple Jack,
Democrats need to be more willing to accept that compromise is important. They seem to be stuck in the mindset that they are the majority and therefore they can do whatever they want. Republicans need to take some SSRI's, maybe prozac or something. Most of them in Washington are arrogant and unwilling to accept that their time has ended. They need to stop whining and present some good ideas... who knows maybe someone will listen to them when they start to sound intelligent. That being said, Obama has done everything to create a bi-partisan atmosphere and he deserves credit for that. Now let's get congress to join the bi-partisan movement!
Why end the bitter partisanship in Washington? I say the Democrats should vote 100% down party lines according to the President's direction. That way we know if their platform really works and there can't be any shifting of blame.
I think we need a new speaker of the houae with an open mind! Then maybe we can all get along better.
Jack , Maybe ALL in Washington could act like adults and work together for ALL Americans . We know who they are so lets put egos aside and start remembering who put them in office .
We care about our great land , they should start to !
Personally, I do not think we will or should end partianship. Democracy is based upon divering values and ideas going up against each other. This concept of one big happy family is an illusion. We can learn to be civil in our partianship BUT never compromise our basic values and platforms in order to appease the opposition. The Republicans had control for eight years and we(the working and middle class) are now in a recession–not the wealthy. The Republicans will not be satisfied unless they get their values and platform 100%.
The Democrats should decide are we still a party of the working and middle class or is this now a party of Demopublicans. If so then we have a one party nation with two names. Differing parties are what has kept our democracy alive. What we need is not only Republican and Democrat Parties but Liberal, Progrssive, Conservative, Libertarian, Socialist and Communist etc. We need them all expressing ideas and values and "fighting civilly" with each other. This is how the public gets educated.
Fire Them!!! We , as voters can do that. Finally, we have a President who knows the needs of the country. I am 73 years old, should not have to worry about losing my home but here I am– everyday praying I can last another month. It is a decision between a house payment or medicine(paid > $4800.00 in "08 for spouse medicine alone(our share). I would LOVE to lead a march to Washington to let those idiots know they are messing with the wrong people. Get some younger citizens in there to replace those who are over 65 years of age and those who are 50 but without sense. Republicians that is and "you betcha ". used to always vote Republician until this last election. FINALLY a sensible one ran for the Presidency and Won- Thank God.
Hey Jack, maybe this will work. President Obama should go into the White House, along with his family, and do nothing for a few weeks – maybe watch T. V....CNN possibly. Congress can just stay home for a few weeks because we're tired of the bickering. Together, we can watch America crumble. That'll end the partisanship.
On a more serious note, I really like the limited term idea. Limited term is something the American people really need to consider. Hell, the Presidents term is limited.
I think the change has to come from the ground up. Politicians have to make choices that keep their constituents happy, or they'll lose their jobs. This generally means speaking out against the other side and working against them. If we can find the strength to be more patient with our elected representatives, maybe it would give them the chance to work towards compromises with the other side without taking the risk of losing their jobs.
How about you just do away with the parties themselves. Let the candidates stand on their own merits and represent the wishes of the people that elected them. Party ideology leads to a concentration of power with the few that control party policies. Independent politicians shed those bonds and are true representatives of their constituents.
We should change the voting system to allow the public to vote for party leader positions and committe chairmen. At the very least we should remove all the current congressional leaders in both parties. They are all toocaught up in their own political bubble and do not have a clue as to how the rest of us really live. I can't stand my next door neighbor, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual, but when our shared fence fell down, we managed to work together to put up a new one.
Lay off one half of congress, cut the salaries in half of those that remain, and take away their pensions and health care. Then see how fast they can come up with some answers
I think things have gotten worse. Maybe its time we limit everyone in the 3 branches of govt. to 2 terms. Once they are elected, they are more interested in their career than they are the business of the public. We can't get them out of office for the special interest groups, so I say set the term limits on everyone. At least this way we would only have to put up with them for 2 terms. I also think they should be penalized for not paying their taxes. I don't think IRS would accept "I made a mistake" If they paid their taxes, maybe we could reduce ours since they make and spend all the money. We will never get out of debt with the jobs in china. If our people were working, the revenue would increase quite a bit.
There is a known way to deal with “the pie” issue. As a child, both wanting to cut a pie but also both wanting to choose the piece of the pie, the best way to resolve the problem - one cuts the pie the other gets to choose whatever piece of the pie the other cut. It’s funny how the one cutting the pie is careful to make sure each piece of pie is exactly the same.
Apply this same concept to the children of Congress. Repubs on one side Democrats on the other and split the Indep. Evenly, flip a coin; one side decides to either draw up 2 different pieces of legislation, the other side gets to choose which one gets passed.
I would start with term limits. Then I would encourage all folks to highly consider independent candidates in future elections. The two-party system is no longer in the best interest of the country.
Jack,
We elected him overwhelmingly because we want him to change the way things are done in Washington. He has a "bully pulpit" unlike any other in modern times if he can just find the courage to trust us as he asked us to trust him. He needs to make it clear to both parties and all members of Congress that he has us behind him and we will punish those who don't hear us at the polls regardless of party affiliation.
Bob
South Carolina
How to limit partisanship? Start by stuffing Rush Limbaugh in a trunk and shipping him overseas. No single person has had more effect on ruining bipartisan efforts than that blow-hard, with good reason – his career depends on a divide between democrats and republicans. Now that he is getting media attention again, congressional delegates think his opinion matters and throw away everything they worked for just to appease him.
I'm from Huntingdon, PA. My opinion about our congress and government in general is that they need to grow up. I think their behavior is childish and selfish.
If Republicans continue to leave their party, whether by retirement or by enlightenment, that would be sure to end the divide. So, here's to the end of the party.
The best way to fix Washington is to get rid of them all and start all over. Businesses have to do this all the time. You can always cut from the bottom but you will never change this way, because the commands are coming from the top. So if you cut from the top down you will then see change. Another thing these positions that they hold should not be lifetime this is why you have so much corruption, they are all to comfortable in there positions. Hell lets all retire with government benefits.
Congress needs to get its head out of the Potomac and put Americans first. Main street did not cause this depression but will bear the overwhelming brunt of it. Now is not the time to speak platitudes about "my principles". Lets put people back to work now or we will put all of you out of work in 2010.
Everyone knows that in all situations, a house divided against itself cannot stand. That is in marriage and all other relationships. Until both parties decide to really love this country more than their need to have their way, be right on every issue, and say "I told you so!", the government will stay divided. It is so unfortunate, but there really are people who would rather see our government fail than to succeed under someone who is not of their choosing. God have mercy on us all!
come on now Jack, it's obvious to me and most educated americans that the republican party is the problem here. bipartisanship is over rated when dealing with this ever dwindling group of old backwards old grey guys. they obviously have selective amnesia since they conveniently tend to forget the fact that their party's handling of the economy for the pars 8 years is the reason we are in this mess in the first place. how can they possibly think that more tax cuts for the rich is the answer for everything. ask a republican how to fix a broken arm and he'll reply "tax cuts". until we get rid of the one track mind way of thinking on the right bipartisanship is nothing more than a fairy tale.
Just listen to that idiot No condom Cheney today, this is the mind set that is still in Washington, The Republicans were so afraid of the Bush/Cheney regime that now they are in over-drive, trying to get back in power. They spent money like prostitutes on crack while in power now these idiots want to undermind President Obama..Jack Cafferty to are the Best...Feel better.. I do not like to see you so sad...
Cancel the two Parties and allow only independents to run for office
End bitter partisanship by eliminating "parties" and have politicians run on their word and their record.
Obama needs to keep doing what he is doing...listening, reaching out and doing his best to find the most effective solutions. Republicans need to "unclench their fists", lay down their swords and start listening and trying to find solutions instead of clinging to ideology. I am not saying they have to roll over, but the President has said that he will listen, especially when we disagree. So get in there and find solutions.
Jack,
I believe that if every newspaper printed how each politician votes on every bill it just might get them to consider what their consciouns tells them – That is if the still have a consciouns!
MaryLou Tuscarawas, Ohio
I wonder who would be left if Democrats & Republicans alike
had to reveal the Taxes they might have missed over the years
but are representing us, anyway-needs to be cleaned up
from the Bottom up-City-State on up. Am wondering if there
will be anyone left for the President to pick from for those Jobs
who does not have an issue of some kind?.
Thank You Mr.President, your on the right track.
I think the fact that Obama has clearly stated openly, that he wants bi-partisanship and has held a bi-paritsan Superbowl party, was proof that he really wants this to happen. He is not all talk and good speeches. He is more than that. He is a true leader with dignified character. He should have more of those bi-partisan parties. It is good for moral and will help both parties work together.
Let me get this straight – because Obama won we are all supposed to support everything he says or proposes? That is the most closed-minded, un-American idea that I have ever heard. Debate, disagreement, and compromise are what make our democracy work and they must continue. Remember, tyranny and one-party rule are the alternative, and that's not "Change we can believe in."
Won't happen. Corruption is too entrenched in your system. We are just seeing a fight amongst jackals over the corpse.
Jack, nothing will end this divide unless partisan politics cease to exist. Its the nature of the beast for there to be such a divide between republicans and democrats if they are representing the opposite ends of political ideology. Nothing is going to bring them together to fix our country unless they all end up in the same situation as regular americans, broke and struggling. But that will never happen now will it, Jack?
We've got a government based on open debate of the issues. Without that debate, our representative form of government would vanish.
Without this 'divide', we'd be living in a dictatorship, much as we ousted after the last eight years of George W. Bush and his 'political capital'.
Of course, the biggest protesters now are the very same people who purposefully thwarted investigations of 9/11, the Iraq War, the U.S. attorney ousters, the Cheney 'secret' energy meetings, the missing emails... and completely supported the '"either you're with us or against us" fascism of George W. Bush.
Bernie
Lowell, MA
Jack,
Here what we need to have Congress cut their pay and staff by 50% pay their own health insurance full cost. Also start to cut by on Congress retirement plans in half too.
I believe if Congress did all of the above they would get rid of petty arguments and come up with a real good plan for this nation.
Also in the last eight years I did not hear one Republican concerned about the national debt. I am sorry I forgot the Republicans only worry about the national debet when the Dems are in the White House.
Hi Jack, end the bitter divide by filling the divide with crushed republicans. Treat these bloodsucking servants of greed like they have treated everything they've touched. You can't deal with them. They're only agenda is money and power: their power and OUR money. Drive a stake through the black heart of this diseased party of the rich and powerful for the rich and powerful and leave them as political road kill as a needed warning to those that would ever again use the trappings of demcracy to destroy it.
As far as I am concerned the GOP is now and ever shall be: Greed Over People
I agree with lou.
We need FRESH faces in the form of a THIRD, FOURTH, or even FIFTH Party. Problem is that lot's of people haven't got the COURAGE it takes to step into a voting booth and MAKE IT SO. Witness the Senate race in Minnesota!!!!!!! Nearly a half million of us voted for IP candidate Dean Barkley. If just one of each of those voters could have found someone with the same courage they have shown and just one in five of those people had done the same Minnesota would have TWO Senators instead of TWO Bozo's trying to get into the Senate.
Blame YOURSELVES people. As Ross Perot said: " You want to see who can fix this mess? Go look in a mirror."
Jack: Get rid of all the republicans and begin anew. These jerks are going to do their best to bring Obama down and he is trying to do his best for all of us (poor Americans). I hope he just goes ahead and leaves the republicans in the dust . Maybe some of them may get their ass.caught in the door on their way out.. Just forget about bringng them on board. They won't like anything he does.
Pres. Obama is trying to change the tone with civility and graciousness but the Republicans continue to obstruct with no constructive solutions. That is why this long time Republican is now a Democrat!!!!!!!!! Iowa knows who is best!!!!
Thats easy Jack,
Get rid of the republicans. For the last eight years they have proven they can't lead and for the last week or so they are proving they can't follow either. Why don't they just get out of the way.
I just keep reading the comments and laughing at the ignorance and arrogance. We won, you go away. That is your idea of ending partisanship? The truth is that this country is full of a bunch of *&%$^ fools like your supporters.
First of all, we have to give President Obama a chance. He's only been in office a couple of weeks. I like the idea of no lobbying in Washington, corporations don't elect our representatives, the people do. As far as tax cheats, they will always be around, no matter what party they belong to.
Congress is supposed to be helping the people of this nation.
The Senate is arguing over the proposed stimulus bill. The items listed on the Republic list of unacceptables, account for just over 1% of the entire amount. ome of the items liste don the Republican list are, in my opinion acceptabl eas part of this stimulus package. By my accounting, the disputed items account for less than 1% of the package.
The Demcrats should pull them out of the bill and move for a vote.
I don't think Congress will change until this "Call for Change" reaches new blood who desire to run for office in Congress, or until those current members in Congress wake up and get on board. Right now the embers of Congress are no better that these idiot corporate excecutives the taxpayers are bailing out.
There is no way to end the bickering in Washington since both parties have forgotten that it is the people who hold the rights to this country. They where elected to put their differences aside and to do what is right for the country. You want to end the bickering in Washington, then we the people have to speak up and tell our elected officials that we are the ones that count and that their first and ony dutty is too us. When I mean speaking up I do not mean the press with it's slanted liberal view of the world. Nor do I mean talk radio and it's bigoted hatred filled meandering. I mena us the people who are the core of this country and sit back and take this over and over again withlout saying anything about it. We go and we vote and it ends up emaning nothing.
The solution is TIME. My goodness the guy has only been Pres. for two weeks and you expect him to end years of partisan ship. Give me a break!!! He is on the right track. It seems the press is like a little kid, they want their candy right away.
How do you end the bitter divide in washington?
simple, get rid of the remaining republicans!
I have watched the entire process of the stimulus bill and so far i have seen republicans make it clear that the only way they are willing to participate in bipartisanship is if the president does everything they say.
Last i checked we voted for president barack obama not president rush limbaugh. The republicans, in leu of winning any actual elections have decided to play "Operation Opposition" as in doing everything in their power to muddy the waters for the new president. From slowing down all his cabinet picks except the republican ones, to publicly whining about issues with the stimilus bill that when actually calculated, equate to around 1 % of the total bill.
i think that the theme for democrats in the next four years should be less "bipartisan" and more "monoparty".
We need statesmen and women in congress rather than career politicians. People that will put the country first rather than lining their own or their party's pockets.
Leedey, Ok
Jack,
It's a little early to know after only 2wks in office. Remember it took some of these boobs decades in that town to get like the rest of them! So time will only tell how all this turns out. My guess is that Obama has the depth of character and the guts to continue what he's doing, which is trying to bring us togather rather than divide!
Harold Smith
mandate serious American Civics education K-12 and require all US college students receiving federally-guaranteed financial aid to complete annual "refresher" course in democractic ideals & practice – – divisive partisanship is result of political manipulation which is enabled by fundamental ignorance of how & why American citizens need work together for common good
I did not vote for Obama, but I must say he is making more of an effort to do things differently than any politician I can remember. The fact that he is meeting so much resistance tells me he is on the right track. The Republicans had NO PROBLEM handing over $700bil to the BANKS, with no stipulations or oversight, now suddenly they are so very concerned with deficits. If they had shown this concern over the last 8 years we simply would not be where we are now. I say no more tax cuts, incentives or bailouts for ANY CORPORATION. It is well known that most of the job creation comes from SMALL BUSINESS. Lets see some of those billions go to microloans for small subsistance businesses. Lets see the SBA red tape cut away and open the doors to some new blood.
get nancy Pelosi and harry Ried out of big heads.
Nothing has changed or will, Obama just isn't strong enough to fix it.
Lol...I meant a 4th branch of government.
It would probably help if the Republicans knew what the American People really want. Most of us aren't upset about " spending" as McCain said today we are upset the way the Republicans spent money, i.e. unnecessary war, wasted 350 billion not knowing where it went etc. They just don't get it and spend all their time trying to nit pick everything the Dems propose. They are a bunch of "too" old men living in the past and I don't see that ever changing.
Jack,
This is an easy one to answer but a hard one to implement. The basic issue is the Bill (not cost but legislation). The full content of a bill has to be fully transparent to everyone.
Everyone in Washington is a Porker. Nothing wrong with that unless the pork is not for the good of all of the American people. Generally folks are not dumb, they understand that one part of the country may need something that doesn't benefit them, but it is in the best interest of the nation.
Therefore, there has to be a complete airing of all the components of a bill. The bill is usually for a stated purpose. There needs to be a law (ha! ha!) that requires that only items included in the bill are for the stated purpose. That purpose needs to be narrowly defined. Anything else added get tossed out and the remainder is argued by congress to a comprised solution that the President can sign.
Thats my take on this. Otherwise, we will continue to be up the creek with no paddle. VET the BILL elements with the American people prior to voting on anything. Do not allow last minute add-ons. Show the American people who the wasteful spenders are (specific persons in the Congress and Senate) so we can send them on their way.
Thank you Jack
I believe the President has brought some humanity in washington.
What the republican who attended the super bowl said is right.
But i would ask the president not overdue it. Because he won the election on a program that the american people approved. And if we are in this mess, it is because of the republican. But now we feel like Obama empowered them and they dont want to back off. If washington is going to change with Obama's style, he can't let republican to define his policy.
Thank you
Jahz'eem
Boston, MA
Let's see, Jack? Why do millionaires fight to get a job that pays peanuts compared to what they are worth? POWER!
If I had been in a party that touts terror and war at any cost for the past eight years, I would be realizing that Americans want to take care of home now.
President Cheney, did I say President Cheney? Yes, I did. Needs to realize that no matter who the president is, even the one who ignored the warnings of 9-11, like he did, terrorists will always exist.
The Repubs look bad coming out with the old school idea of making the President look bad. Governor Crist, a Republican, seems to get it right that he wants our President to succeed. I think he loves this country more than himself!
As they say in the military...shut up and color. This will work itself out...eventually. Right?
Jack, if the main stream media like yourself, were watchdogs against big government, instead of lapdogs of the left, we would all be better off.
By all accounts President Obama Is offering an olive branch and reaching across the isles. The Republicans and some of the Business as usual Democrates have to get to the ideal that president Obama is working toward where government has the american people in mind and not their own interests when they vote or speak on legislation. They need to stop making every little thing that's not so perfect seem so enormous and assist president obama in getting the nation out of the messes that They and Bush initiated in the first palce!
Chicago, IL
We need to get rid the long term politicians in the house and senate. Vote them out! Replace them with businessmen and women who live in the "real world" and know how to balance bugets, who do not spend more money than they have, and do not spend on pork!!!
In the desperate search for news, any news...most "news" organizations are going for gossip instead of intelligent discourse.. How about waiting longer than two weeks to see what happens?? I can't telll you how often I think about turning off the TV...and often do. It's just the lowest denominator of discourse these days. And with the "news" commentators constantly jabbing into the business at hand, they turn almost everything into a gossip story.
I think they (Republicans) need to stop being arrogant,because in the end they're no better than us Democrats. We have problems to solve and they're getting in the way. If they don't like the stimulus plan than let them create one of their own if think they can do better, but trust me they can't.
i really don't understand the republicans opposition to the bill out plan. if they really care about not putting the future generation in debt, they(republicans) shouldn't have voted for funding of this senseless Iraq war with $billions of tax payers money. i'm a republican but i voted for obama because of his economic plan. these people are still confident in their failed economic plan that led us in this mess for the past eight years. unbeleivable!!!
first stop paying them after all we are going broke. second tell them they have to pay for all there health care benefits like the rest of us. third tell them they have no tax right offs when it comes to homes, apartments and meals and take away all there staffers and make them do all the work cut backs you know. fourth tell them the american people give them 1 month and if things are not agreed on and a plan is not in place they are out of a job. after all that's what is happening to every one else. that way maybe they will put the economy back on track or at least give it more of an effort. just think of all the money we would be saving in the mean time. maybe if we put there futures on the line like the rest of us they may shape up and fly right one can only hope.
It would be nice if politicians could start look at the suffering that is happening in this country. They are more worried about their pocketbook and their financial contributers, than the everyday American. People do need really help. President Obama did not create this mess, he inherited it. And those who wish our new President ill will, should remember that George Bush made and turned a blind eye to it. We are the UNITED States of America, lets work together to rebuild it. United we stand and divided we fall. Let's get united and make something better for all.
How to end the divide?! Hold the Representatives and Senators responsible for their actions. Let them live with some of the decision they make. Institute term limits!!!!
Take all of the Congress that was not elected "new" this year and move them out! Have elections to replace ALL of the those with more than say 12 years total in either house. Then no one person; Kennedy, Kerrys and the like will be power brokers.......
Keep the Rushpublicans in time-out for the next 4 years.
Where the opposition refuses to support a bill furthering a cause it supports because the bill has irrelevant add-ons, then in return for removing them the opponents should promise not to fillibuster or deny cloture when the add-ons are debated as separate bills.
The prescription for ending the divide in the house and senate is for republicans to come up with ways to stimulate the economy other than tax cuts. Tax cuts have not repaired or built a single bridge or school.
Get rid of ALL of the republicans in Congress. We are in this mess because of them and they continue to obstruct programs we need. They have been in the way for nearly a century, and tried to obstruct of ALL of our important programs; Social Security, education, health care, Medicare, Medicaid, you name it; they voted against it. How dare they claim to worry about spending when their reckless tax cuts, wars, and gutting regulations to protect us got us here? And at the same time they took away many of our civil rights. Throw all of the bums (republicans) out (except Sens. Snow and Collins).
I mean lets get real, washington will allways be divided if it wasnt that way we wouldnt be a democracy. This is how the Framers designed our Government to work. I certainly wouldn't like living in a single party sytem.
Pray...2 Chronicles 7:14
I say send all the Republicans home without pay and see what its like to live without income, unemployment, minimum wage, no heath care.
Their policies and ideology got us into this mess now they say we are spending to much money, HELLO where in the HELL have they been for the past 8yrs, the war in IRAQ, the mortgage meltdown, should i go on.
GET RID OF THE NAY SAYERS!
YES WE CAN AND YES WE WILL!
Jack, I think President Obama is already doing everything needed for bi-partisanship, and he will keep doing it. Now we just have to wait to see if the Republicans; and some of the Democrats, will listen to him and to the American people that voted for Obama and want this to CHANGE!!!
Every Senator and Representative should take a good hard look at themselves and admit to the fact that they are only in office for a certain period. I know the voters keep putting the same people back in office but it is time that changed.
The voters should also send a loud and clear message to each politician enough is enough. The citizens and the future of this country should come FIRST not the politician's personal ambitions.
This comment is meant for ALL POLITICIANS REGARDLESS OF PARTY.
Term limits, Lobbyist limits and a ban of private financing of political campaigns and parties. We need to remove the "business" from politics and prevent people from making politics a career. More politicians enter office in debt from their campaign and leave as a billionaire from all their shady deals.
Public service should be a service, a sacrifice that a person makes because they love their country... not because they want to get rich or "have power". Any citizen of the US should be able to run for and attain any public office by the grace of their nature and beliefs, NOT the strength of their bankroll or the clout of their supporters or political party. I can't help but lament the notion that this nation has probably lost out on many leaders who could have brought us to a better world simply because they weren't rich partisan insiders with powerful connections.
I think President Obama is doing a fantastic job keeping his cool with the children of Congress. Both sides, in many ways, are putting their own wants and desires before what's good for the country. I'm tired of seeing press conferences, go in a room and don't come out until you have an agreement. COMPROMISE!!! Otherwise, the best way to solve it will be the 2010 elections, if the country can hold out that long.
Jack, the only way bitter partisianship will ever end is when there is sufficient overlap of interests between those whom the elected democrats represent and those the elected republicans represent. And that doesn't look to happen any time soon. For as long as republicans hold to their very narrow orthodoxy, expressed through the loud mouths of conservative talk radio, it's hard to see how bipartisianship can ever occur. For in the minds of many conservatives, the only true and holy course is the one they have chosen, and they see compromise and bi-partisianship as weakness and un-American.
I have never been a partisan voter, always voting for the person & past performance as my guide. That said, I did not vote for a single republican in the last election. Why? Performance & their constant party bulldozing.
I find it odd that Republicans ONLY talk about bi-partisanship, when they are not the majority.
The way that I can be reformed to my former state, may be the same resolution for our Government. When a politician becomes a public servant & their results benefit the majority (of citizens, not wealth holders), I will be a supporter, regardless of party.
When they say what they do (in advance), & do what they say, I will be a supporter.
In a nutshell, I think Politicians need to remember They are public servants, not Partisan warriors.
Hey, Jack - How about mandatory drug testing?
I am SO SICK of Republicans being obstructionists! Through good times or bad, they continue to put their antediluvian "ideals" ahead of the nation's interests at large. Seems the only real solution is to pack them up on some reincarnation of the Mayflower, which they're so fond of, and ship them all back to Europe. Including that newly elected band-aid of an RNC Chairman, Steele, whose backwards thinking is nothing more than an endorsement of the same failed policies from a mouth of a different color. Hopefully, during the next election, we can find a way to vote them out of existence altogether!
What is your prescription for ending the bitter partisanship in Washington?
Obama has been in office less than a month that's all; he is not a magician nor super politician, he has to work with republicans in Congress like any other democrat...unfortunately the media is pressuring the American people to expect unrealistic changes both foreign and domestic, it simply is not going to happen in the 1st or perhaps the 2nd year...bitter partisanship is virtually impossible to contain in American politics, contemporary divisions are no more profound than in the past...the fact is the people need more choices which can be satisfied only by broader representative govt; that means a constitutionally viable multi party political system which is likely to put an end to old guard Washington gridlock once and for all...
Jack, the answer is simple.
Have a SuperBowl EVERY week.
Open the halls of Congress. Invite in a "People's Oversight" contingent of moms, dads, kids, grandmas and grandpas to monitor the debate and report back to their hometowns on community blogs. Encourage media coverage of the "People's Oversight" initiative. To paraphrase President Obama regarding execs and their $18 billion bonuses, SHAME ON CONGRESS for continuing to bicker while citizens suffer during this economic disaster.
Real bipartisanship would involve real compromise. I don't think that the current leadership of either party is well equipped to approach genuine compromise. Neither are you, Jack, if you think that having visits and parties is bipartisan. All that "bipartisan outreach" was smoke in mirrors, designed to get even a few Republicans to sign on so that the bill could be hailed as bipartisan.
Republicans can't vote for a bill that violates all of their beliefs of what government should or should not do. Democrats showed that they can abuse power when the house rules were changed to severely limit the ability of Republicans to offer amendments and alternative legislation. In real terms, the tone got worse when that happened. Say what you want about Republicans, but they had not been so restrictive of the minority party when they were in power.
Republicans could, I think sign on to something that is more financially responsible, but Democrats would run the risk of losing their own party if they give too much. Bipartisanship is not easy, and the policticians in D.C. are typically too worried about keeping their base happy to really consider what the right thing to do actually is. Sad but true.
jACK:
iT IS QUITE SIMPLE. PASS A LAW STATING THAT ONCE YOUR ARE ELECTED TO CONGRESS, YOU BECOME NON-PARTISAN!
Two words- term limits. I don't think the founding fathers had lifelong careers in mind, but public service to the nation. After more than 8 years, they are doing their own business not what is best for the country! A good example is the current economic crisis. The American public gets it but Congress has to find a way to line their own pockets before they will act! Limit terms in House and Senate to two terms like the executive banch has 2 term limits!
Sue R. Henson
Elberton, Ga.
I don't know what more our President can do to reach out to the Republicans. The political culture probably wont change until most of the over the hill politicans are replaced by a new breed!
Someone needs to get the Republicans to understand that they "LOST" the election and that the people are sick of them and their policies. Where was all this concern for spending when Bush was shelling out billions to the Rich Crooks on Wall Street?????
Sandy North Central Florida
Fixing the economy is an enormous undertaking but the methods that should be used to arrive at solutions are straight forward. Our elected officials should use the tried-and-true methods of good-faith negotiations and employ the essential ingredient of compromise.
Our government must give more weight to what's good for their constituents, the American people, rather than whats good for their party.
Some totally new approaches may be needed, but employing remedies that have worked in the past may be useful too. Maybe the government can't fix everything, but I'm willing to bet it CAN succeed at addressing many aspects of the current economic crisis, ir it is willing to put the good of the country ahead of political gain.
Uncle Sam, please do the job we hired you for.
Jack I have read enough, and one theme stands out– Term limit the congress– cant you use your bullypupit to get that message out? Seriously, lets set term limits on these 'powerful' congressional lifers (and at the same time take a long serious hard look at the pension they recive as well) and mandate from the people that the congress and govenors vote this in. Other wise, we the people will vote them out immediately on the expiration of there term. This can be done, but it needs mass media effort. What do you say to that?
I think anyone on here who is saying "fire all republicans" is as much a part of the problem as the "obstructionists" they are looking to criticize. The bitter divide can't be blamed on republicans, or democrats for that matter – they both share equal blame and both parties should be ashamed of their conduct.
To answer Jack's question though, I actually think that Obama's strategy is working. While ideologically they disagree, it's evident that Republicans respect him (even if somewhat begrudgingly) and respect his approach. In the opinion of this independent, the republicans actually did their job as the opposing party by blocking a stimulus bill stuffed with pork and covered in the fingerprints of special interest. The optimistic sign is that instead of sitting back and naysaying the democrats bill, republicans have come to the table with their own proposal, and while it may take some time the compromise will bring about a better solution for all of us. Obama's approach won't change things overnight but bringing an atmosphere of respect and dignity to Washington will over time bring about more thoughtful debate and compromise – he just has to stick with it.
The President can't change the minds of Congress. But the People can. Let's give Congress a big message by holding special elections and vote them ALLout of office. These Congressmen/women (both the House and the Senate) are more interested in politics than fixing the nations problems and, despite all the rhetoric, they don't really care about the common people; they care about themselves and how to get re-elected. Of course such a thing won't happen, but it's nice to live in an un-real world where the people really count and government is the servant of the people...and a balance is found between capitalism and socialism. We need the Philosopher King of which the great philosophers of ancient Greece spokel...a political messiah, as it were.
Get Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner laid for the good of the country!
You and I both know that there is no prescription, remedy or solution to this. The party's will always be divided. We have as good a chance of getting the Jews and Muslims to stop fighting with each other as we do of eliminating partisanship in politics. They haven't stopped since the beginning of recorded time...... good luck.....
Jack,
The only solution or prescription to end the failure of Congress to act on the behalf of the people is to rid ourselves of the present leadership in both houses. How can we do this> TERM LIMITATIONS ..... We need a national referundum on this issue. Congress will never take the necessary action required to return our government to US, the American voting citizens.
The more I watch our Government not work the more I realize the only answer is for the Red States an Blue States to secede. Our cultures have just grown that far apart.
Hey Jack,
I believe the President should continue in the same vein of bi-partisan leadership as long as they are sincere efforts.
What I think is most important is for people like yourself that has such control over media; need to acknowledge who is partisan and who is not.
We lose if we continue to let these dirty politicians bicker over nothing while we, the American people get nothing in the process
Common sense Jack, common sense..
The onus is on people like you and me.
How about someone calling a spade a spade? When the republicans vote as a solid block against a bill and then toast their solidarity.... right after a Democratic President goes to them for meetings on the Hill, invites them to more meetings at the White House, and then convinces his party leadership to drop parts of legislation that the Republicans don't like, I wish the media would ask THEM where THEIR bipartisanship is?! I am also tired of hearing Republican talking about compromise– what compromise have THEY offered for the last 15 years?!
I think when we talk about the lack of bipartisanship in Washington we're really talking about Republicans determined to walk in lockstep even if it means walking the nation over a cliff. Bush and Republicans locked Democrats completely out of government for years. The result is that they brought the nation down until the people started voting Democrats back in. Republicans don't have ideas– but they'll be damned if they're going to let the other party be successful. They have stopped holding the nation's interests before their own.
All congressmen should be audited by the IRS. That would set the record straight. No one believes in Congress anymore. Congress has lost the trust of the United States Citizen
Saint Charles, IL
The attitude of many of the posters here says it all: The big idea of the Democrats here is to kick all the Republicans out of office. Isn't that the whole problem? Not being willing to give an inch? Are the near-super majority numbers not enough? Democrats feel they need to silence their critics completely. Sounds about right coming from the party that wants to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine! God forbid half of the country doesn't march in lockstep with what you believe!
A big part of the answer would be term limits. That way you have less career politicians that make their decisions based on their own political expediency. One 6 year term or two 3 year terms sounds about right.
Next election, vote more Democrats into office. The Republicans are mad that they lost, and are obstructing anything they can. They don't want to be Bipartisan, and have rebuffed every effort that President Obama has made! I say let them take their ball and go home. If they don't want to play, they shouldn't be there.
Jack there is one sure way to end the partisan bickering. Elect adults and not children
Take away Rush Limaugh's mic.
This is easy, We the people, we have seen what happens when the people speak We need to let the Dem,'s and the Repub's to stop the party bickering or they'll bein that unemployment line.
How many spare cells at Gitmo do we have?
the best way to end the partisanship is for the media to step back from their partisan portrayals of politics and actually just report what they find instead of spinning it. too many people believe what the media has said and they apply it to the machinations in Washington DC without having an actual clue as to how things are run.
start at the grass roots, educate the people, and everything will change from the base.
as it stands, you have everyone treating American politics like it's a sports game and people are still rooting for their teams.
1) Term limits
2) Ban professional lobbying
3) Move to a true multi-party system
4) Recall obstructionist legislators
5) Public and grassroots shaming of legislators who cut deals while failing to actually read bills
It's really quite simple, it's called Term Limits! Anyone who has been there more than 10 years needs to get on with their lifes work. Get rid of their instant pensions and perks. Cut their staffs in half. These people need to understand and care about what they're doing. Maybe when they have to work to recieve their pensions and actually read up on something they are working on (instead of reading notes) then we can have true representatives.
I am San Francisco Democrat. And I think that Nancy Pelosi has to realize that leadership skills are more than wrestling match and bring in the Republicans to create solutions that work for all Americans.
make them all listen to barry manilow song i write the songs that make young girls cry and change the words too i make the whole country cry until they getit
Republicans in lockstep after they way the screwed everything up is not the way. Maybe they should try it Obama's way, at least in the beginning. It would be a win/win situation for them. If the stimulus plan worked, for example, they then could claim that they voted for it in the spirit of more bi-partisanship and cooperation, which the AMerican people would love to see; if it didn't work, they could say, "well, we tried," and then go back to their old obstructionist methods. Every suggestion they've made has been tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts. Hey, we're not Republicans, and there are other ways to get the economy rolling again other than tax cuts.
Cancel this Bill. Start all over again.
The guys across the isle need to tuck in their bottom lips and move forward. The president cant make them all get along, they can only do that for themselves... and persons not willing should think about getting new jobs. America isnt tolerationg the old way anymore Where dou you stand?
Vote out the Republicans who are vesting their political hopes in the failure of Obama supported programs rather than in a genuine concern for rebuilding the national economy devastated under Bush.
Until they realize that there is no Red or Blue America and that we will all be buried with the same kind of dirt, rich or poor, there will be no bi-partianship.
What else can anyone expect from the Republicans when they are marching to the drums being beaten by their de facto leader Limbaugh, They all want, without exception, Obama to fail so, trhey will all work to obstruct anything coming from the Democrats. All they want is to preserve he status quo under the Republican administrtion and give all the money available to the very rich. Like wha they did to the trillion surplus they inherited from the Clinton Aadministration, they want to "DELUGE" the very rich with tax cuts from the Stimulus Funds and hope the very rich will allow a little to "trickle" down (using an eyedropper) to the rest of us.
Jack, have all the members of Congress to open their tax records to the public and those with no skeletons, which will probably be about 2 or 3 can then get on with doing the business of the people. This Congress has grown old, gray and fat with the public asleep around the TV.
What did you expect, Jack? Give President Obama an "A" for effort on bipartisanship, but his severe lack of experience is showing. If the President wants to preach about choosing hope over fear in his inaugural address, he should wait more than two weeks before invoking fear to get his pork-filled "stimulus package" through Congress. Look like more of the same from where I'm sitting.
For those naive enough to think change is on the way... I'd have to remind those that while politicians talk the talk.... they seldom walk the walk. Notice that in any given election season things always swirl around the same topics... Abortion, Gun control and Jobs. Seldom is there any real reform in our political procedure... such as the Line Item veto... earmarks... Lobbyist. I believe that American politics is so big now, that we will never get control of it... Power breeds Criminal behavior. Politicians I feel, like the power more so than "Fixing" anything to do with our political system. Besides... everyone knows that our founding fathers and / or God is looking over our shoulders... NOT.
Good luck Jack with finding a prescription for ending the bitter partisanship in Washington. When you come up with a prescription, don't forget to share with the Jews and Palestinians in the Middle-east.
I am sure the same drug can work for them as well.
Glendale, Wisconsin.
Both parties need to stop identifying each as them or us and develop the common perspective of “We need to". Unless this occurs there will be no "Unity." We are all in the same boat here going in circles because the people we gave the oars to fighting one another instead of working together for resolutions. ~ jpwade from the Swamps of South Louisiana~
Just reading the comments posted here it's hard to believe the problem will truly ever be solved. Even many of the respondants have little tolerance for a two party system where the other party might have ideology different from their own.
until people wake up and realize that the population of the two parties are nearly equal and that governments are supposed to serve ALL PEOPLES, not just those with like ideology, this problem will be inherant in our government.
A few years ago, I stated that the worse thing for this country is whenever the government is overwhelmingly controlled by one party or another in the house, senate, and presidency. That holds as true now as it did back when the republicans controlled it all.
Politicians are too fickle to serve the people over their party, and a government controlled by one party is only serving half the people.
I was sick of the whiny folks in DC when this die-hard Republican voted Democratic for the first time in his life last November. Now, it seems that the leaders of both parties just changed roles – the Obstructionist Democrats are now Republicans and the Steam-Roller Republicans are now Democrats.
Make these knuckleheads get paid based on tangible improvements in government based upon criteria set forth by the President and his cabinet – this would be no different than some effective corporations. If the corporation does not do well, small salaries and no performance bonus – if the company exceeds the objectives, reward them accordingly.
I'm sick of the theatrics, eye-rolling and pompus strutting by most members of congress, but throwing out the whole bunch will not solve it – they would just be replaced with more of the same unless we hold our Congress accountable for achievement, not just tenure.
It would be better if state representatives House and Senate give up party affiliation while serving us and just represent the people.
Jack - Until state legislatures stop gerrymandering congressional districts to emphasize homogeneity, thereby rewarding those candidates who take extreme positions on the issues - on either side - the situation in Washington will continue. We reward those in Congress who take extremely partisan positions with a better chance at reelection, simply because of the way their districts have been drawn.. Take a look at the Georgia's 8th, 10th, 12th and 13th, and SC's 1st and 2nd for example, and tell me how there is any chance on God's green earth that any moderate would have a chance to be elected from those convaluted districts? Sometimes, the political science guys know what they're talking about.
The republicans must get out of their deniel and realize that republican economics policies–cutting taxes–do not work; they have never worked. Why can't they put their pride aside and do what is right?
Elect more thinking moderates, whether Democrat, Republican or independent who are not wedded to outdated ideologies.
Kick the conservative far right and liberal far left to the curb.
Most of us are Americans regardless of political leaning. Kick these charlatans to the curb where they will have to find real jobs.
The republican party seems as always to forget (we the people) that our ability to remain free is based on our ability to change.We have reached the pinacle of disaster. If the republicans do not learn to use better communication skills and honest deliberation we will end up in a bigger mess then they helped create.
My suggestion would be to start electing smart people and not political hacks.
Both of this nation's "main parties" are so full of themselves (idiots and hacks) that it matters very little which party is elected – corruption and incompetence will still be calling the shots. All we get are disingenuous pissing contest over how to divvy up our hard earned cash amongst their hand-wrenching cronies.
Term limits for all congress members. Most of the congress members that have been there for more than two terms, are controlled by lobbyists, corporations, etc. If we had fresh faces every 6-8 years, they may start doing things that are actually good for the country, the taxpayer, or both.
It is so easy to tell those with short memories. They forget the Dems were obstructionists for eight years. Until everyone in congress develops the attitude that the country comes first and they are there to work to imporve things, not pork barrel things, we will have this problem.,
Fire them all and elect true patriots to congress
Jack,
I am not sure when they will get together and solve some of the most basic issues, but they had better get going soon. Oh, by the way, I am more than qualiifed to be Czar in charge of them getting along, since I pay my taxes each year. Signed Czar of mediation and cooperation council.
Donno
if you retired it might help
Jack- Let's have our lawmakers volunteer together. And while it's important, I don't mean from the comfortable distance of the board room. I mean bi-partisan teams should head out to the soup kitchens, the VA hospitals, deteriorating schools, and the unemployment offices. Maybe once they feed some hungry folks, hold some crack babies, or hold the hands of the disenfranchised, they'll put aside petty differences, bring their best ideas to the table and get this country back on track.
Short and simple. Once elected, legislators should no longer be members of their political parties . Their only allegience should be to the American people. Well meaning bills die because opposition don't wish to credit the other side with success.
Hey, Jack, President Obama has been bending over backwards reaching out to – and listening to – Republicans. Citizens must demand that their Republican congressmen/women respond in kind and in good faith.
Get rid of the fakes,frauds and powermongers in both partys. and dont let wall st buy them off. oh yeah and the liars too
President Obama needs to double check his plan – first – just to be sure it is a good one. THEN he needs to give all of Washington an ultimatum. The country will support him. ALL lobbyist groups need to be dismissed (preferably charged with something). Nancy Peolsi needs to be fired.
ALL Americans need to eamil, phone and or write their reps in Washington and voice their opinions – loudly. Nothing will happen if we don't make ourselves heard. If this does not get the country moving – then the President needs to find some precident to
CALL ANOTHER ELECTION AND WE CAN GET RID OF ALL OF THEM.
I see two parts to this and some miscellaneous suggestions:
Part 1) Hardline Republican war on the country in favor of the elitist takeover and obstruction and villifying everything else. There are they guys who think tax cuts and nothing else. Obstructionists.
Part 2) The influence of corporations is way overboard. It is premature to fund government publically or outlaw lobbying, but there has to be transparency and answerablility.
a) The Line Item Veto would be useful.
b) The media fairness doctriune needs to stop the neverending brainwashing of the people so they get other points of views.
c) Baseline support for citizens, heath care, education, housing, food, energy, a new new deal that will make it cheaper for companies to hire people as well.
From what I understand, Washington has been permeated with subterfuge, inuendo, and outright lies. Its going to take awhile to undo the Pavlovian programming to where politicians can once again believe that a man's word is his bond, and not a delaying tactic. That a cigar actually can be a cigar.
There are three solutions to this. None are an immediate prescription.
1.Term limits would be the best to keep them all from becoming to set in their ways.Zero chance of that happening.
2.Quit re-electing the obstructionists. Not much chance of that in the conservative districts.
3.Wait until the old coots die off and let the younger voters replace them with people who know what century it is.The people that are re-electing them will be long gone, too.
Pelosi needs to go home and take Barnie Frank with her.
The Obama administration is just getting started and he doesn't need those types sitting on the hill getting in the way of what really needs to be done.
As President Obama said, we had this discussion in November. The American people don't like the way we've done things the past eight years and want a change. The Republicans are the ones playing politics with this bill. Obama has not only reached out to them but even COMPROMISED on his stimulus package. At some point the Republicans have to listen to the Stones and realize they can't always get what they want!
Jack:
Remind them that they work for us, the American people, and while there is a time and place for healthy debate there is also a time for corporation. It seems to me that both sides have forgotten that fact. As such we, just like some parents do with unruly children, should lock them all up together without their allowance in till they come up with a good compromise.
Jack – perhaps it is time to abolish votes along "party lines" and ask all members of Congress to join the "American Party" instead. Just as I firmly believe that we have outlived the need for an Electorial College, I also firmly believe that we have outlived the need to pledge allegience to any "party" – pledge allegience to America instead.
I know that this will probobly not be done in my life time, but like most Americans (either hypheniated or otherwise) I am tired of seeing the future of our country decided based on a particular party platform, rather than the needs of the country and the American people who have to pay for these messes.
Jack,
Want to know how to end the bitter divide in Washington. Fire all of them and hold elections. Most of these so called congressman should have been fired for deregulating Fannie Mae and Mac thus causing what is considered to be the largest financial crisis to hit this country.
Hi Jack:
Like so many of the entries here, I would require Term Limits for All political positions- this would guarantee a turnover in the Congress, and keep the influence peddlers to a minimum. Second, Give the reining President line item veto capability, and make it stick. Three, Make it a Legal requirement that no political figure be allowed to vote in any matter EXCEPT what his constituents allow. and finally Four, Outlaw PAC's and Lobbyists. This should keep a majority of the senseless stupidity from occurring. However, every plan should have a emergency back-up. If nothing else works, lock all doors in and out of the senate, and release 100 starving lions, and inform the congressmen, that until they have succeeded in passing said legislation, the lions will have at it...( well, it would probably work.)
Let me take the opposite approach of half of your readers. Let's kick all of the Democrats out of this country. Let's send them back to where their ancestors came from–many of the socialist european societies. Then we will all be of like mind. We will have hard workers who believe in earning their own money, who don't look for hand outs, who believe in family and God, who are opposed to crime, who do not believe in killing children, who believe in equality for all and not special privileges because of the color of one's skin. Life will be wonderful in America. And all of those foolish, arrogant, lazy, dumb, ignorant democrats can go leach on other societies. Problem solved Jack. No more partisanship. Oh that's right, that's not exactly the principles that led to this great country, but I digress . . .
The only way to solve it is to dissolve ALL parties. No democrats, no republicans, no whatever, just people who actually WANT to serve the Americans who elected them.
Both parties need to stop identifying each as them or us and develop the common perspective of “We need to”. Unless this occurs there will be no “Unity.” We are all in the same boat here going in circles because the people we gave the oars to are fighting one another instead of working together for resolutions. ~ jpwade from the Swamps of South Louisiana~
Will the petty bickering ever end between partys in my lifetime? Its disheartning to listen to you all every day go on and on about who said what and when. I do remember whne Geoge w was in office for his eight yrs there was all kinds of stuff goign on in his office people stepping down etc.. We were watching dirty laundry being aired all the time . I dont think I need to list all of them do I ? How sad it is that george w vetoed the kids health bill. My grandson is covered by this sooo thankyou Obama!!! At least hes not hiding and owns up to his mistakes! Democrats and Republicans need to for once stop thinking about themselves and take care of the country. oh by the way had we fixed the housing problem way back we would be where we are now. HELLO WASHINGTON. Trust me it will work My husband is a realtor in central fl. He can tell you exactly what to do!! Maybe its time we actully listen to the people that are living it instead of all your so called EXPERTS!!
The stimulus bill is a joke and Democrats have also voted against this pile of pork. It's not the Republicans being obstructionists; it's Nancy & Harry blocking the Republicans from input and then passing off a $800B pork bill for a stimulus. This bill buys votes; it solves no problems that the Democrats and Republicans have caused for the last 20 years.
Dispense with political parties, fill Congress with the results of a National Congressional Lottery drawn from registered voters, set up the same thing for the office of President & VIce-President of the United States.
No More Elections. No More wasted time & money on popularity contests. Concentrate on RUNNING THE COUNTRY. No more favors.
Every officeholder serves for 6 years, no more. Every officeholder gets a permanent, guaranteed pension after their term expires, based on $200,000 a year in today's US dollars for income.
Every officeholder MUST pay into Social Security!
Mandatory retirement after that, NO FURTHER EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY OR GOVERNMENT OR AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN so as to disable the revolving door between industry and lobbyists and the officials who make and enforce our laws.
Tough love. If Republicans demonstrate a bipartisan effort to help fix problems their policies have helped to create, then Obama will, as already demonstrated make some concessions. If Republicans continue to obstruct, concessions Democrats have made should be withdrawn and Republicans ignored. When they're ready to work on behalf of the majority of Americans, rather than the wealthy and corporations, they can be included again.
dems and republicans need to present more centrist ideas in order to truly reach across the party lines while maintaining their own parties fundamentals. This stimulus package presented was doomed because it was too far left.
Pelosi and Reed need to realize the importance of the President's mission and lead the senate toward his forward thinking and truly bipartisan positions. Loading this bill with un-warranted spending shows us no change from past senate operations. As a proud democrat, I want to see my elected leaders work side by side with our opposing party's members. A civil war of words does nothing but weaken our already frail system and stalls the progress we need to return to prosperity.
Hannity and Limbaugh love when the Dems give them material like this to fill their programs and fuel further division. Lets get this right so they can go back to making things up and looking stupid!
Get rid of the Democrats who put all the pork into the bill in the first place!
Tucson, AZ – Partisanship will never end – there is no tradition of bipartisanship in America and there is too much at stake. However, I don't hear a lot of partisan attack from elected and appointed officials – that stuff comes mostly from conservative talk radio, which is not even in Washington, much less of it. Maybe if we all turned off the radio when the conservative ideologues come on the air...
Jack no elected offical should stay in office for over 5 years, they get greedier, stupider and more useless the longer they stay . Get rid of them
Get rid of the Democrats who bitterly attacked Bush and opposed his actions just because he supports a position. These people took sides on issues that were against the best interest of the country just to attack Bush. They even now talk of war crimes for this nation self defense.
They are fond of attacking Bush by saying that his efforts to drain the swamp creates hatred and resentment against the U.S. or creates more terrorist, but never stop to think that is also true in the country in terms of politics. All the undeserved hatred of Bush has created a back lash toward them and their representatives, issues, and political positions. They too are creating terrorist just internal political terrorist against unity and bipartisanship – isn’t that hypocritical?
You spew hatred you get hatred, only once you create it you do to get to control it.
I realize there seem to be some problems with the stimulus plan, but I feel that the bloody Republicans should get off their Republican asses and make a few changes and SUPPORT the bill! NOBODY knows how this bill will affect the economy – so there's some spending in the bill – maybe that's just what the economy needs! Just PASS THE BILL please!
Debate and dissonance are the foundational principles of democracy. If we 'cure' them and only have one voice in Washington then we decimate our way of life and all forward progress. Stop crying for civility – they're supposed to be fighting.
I think it is time for the President to present his ideas to the American people via televised broadcast. Then ask the people of they support his ideas to call or write their respective congressman and put pressure on them to follow. After all the last time I checked these guys work for us.
Hi Jack:
Like so many of the entries here, I would require Term Limits for All political positions- this would guarantee a turnover in the Congress, and keep the influence peddlers to a minimum. Second, Give the reining President line item veto capability, and make it stick. Three, Make it a Legal requirement that no political figure be allowed to vote in any matter EXCEPT what his constituents allow. and finally Four, Outlaw PAC's and Lobbyists. This should keep a majority of the senseless stupidity from occurring. However, every plan should have a emergency back-up. If nothing else works, lock all doors in and out of the senate, and release 100 starving lions, and inform the congressmen, that until they have succeeded in passing said legislation, the lions will have at it... Mukilteo, WA
It will never change. Republicans could care less about the common man and giving him a break. Obama is on higher ground trying to include them, but it is fudal.
Obama sincerely reached out a hand in the name of diplomacy and the GOP slapped it away. The time for bipartisanship has clearly come and gone, if you ask me. So its a good thing that I am not the President, huh? If Obama can't make bipartisanship happen, nobody can.
Put the country first. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that spending money on the mall, bees, cars for the federal employees, etc are legit programs. they are localized....they don't help ALL americans. Most important, these items should be put in a spending bill.
ONLY add tax credits and spending concerning jobs and housing that will impact within the next 18 months. If we are to put debt on the next generation, we should try to limit it. I know we need to spend alot of money, but make it effective spending, etc.
I have lived my life within my means....why can't congress do the same? It is so hard to support what the democrats are doing.
Xanax and Metamucil...problem solved.
Jack don't blame the politicians they are just taking advantage of the situation. It is the people that have the power to make the decisions but for some reason refuse to do their job and throw the bums out, go figure!
You see it's just like no child left behind, if they don't have to work to pass then why should they????????
Jack,
The prescription is more funding for education. Once people are more educated, they will cast their vote more wisely and won't fall for the typical Washington rhetoric politicians spew to get elected. Maybe then we can get people elected who truly have the peoples' interest at heart instead of those of their wealthy donors.
Get Fox News to stop being the far-right Republican propaganda machine!! Thanks to CNN to being really Fair and Balanced!!
The two party system is the root cause of stalemate in Congress...each party goes along party lines as opposed to doing what is in the best interest of their constituency. There should be no political parties. Being from Nevada I can't begin to tell you how embarrassing it is to have the biggest hypocritical obstructionist in recent memory as one of our Senetors....Harry Reid...can't wait to vote him out of office.
Simpsonville, SC. I'm a democrate and feel things have not changed yet. President Obama needs to stop saying "Partisanship must stop, we need to act now". The bill in the house is a bad bill. Real integration in the government will begin when both party's actually work together to craft legislation that will help us move forward. Each party is still pressing it's needs, this must stop!
Get rid of all of them. (Do nothing Congress).
Nacy pelosi, barney frank and dingy harry. That is the democratic party and it is sick and sad. These clowns are the worst of american not the best.
The Republicans are bitter and upset because of the election losses, and are going to do anything necessary to obstruct Obama's plans, even at the expense of the American people. The Republicans had a HUGE role in creating this mess, and now don't want to help clean it up. It is reprehensible
The Republicans need to realize that the citizens voted for Obama and not McCain and get over it! Once the Republicans come up with an answer that is better than the one they have had for the past eight years, maybe someone will listen to them. It would also be a good idea if the Republicans could find some spokespeople with more intelligence than Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin, as well as Bush and Cheney. It is all the same song and dance that we have heard before and it is OLD and BORING! At least President Obama and Michelle are trying to fulfill their campaigan promises, and if the Re-publicans choose to not cooperate, so be it.
I think if the Congress would work for the good of Americans, instead of their own party, we would truly see change.
Take a new bill and allow 20 line items to be added with it. 10 for Dems and 10 for Reps. Allow equal amounts of available funds.
The problem is that some egos have grown larger than the people that nurture them. Their egos have begun to affect their jobs, on both sides of the political fence. The solution is simple: ask people for proof of their convictions. Those who present proof can stay. Those who argue on ideological or personal grounds are tossed out of the capitol as fast as possible. When the government is led by logic idea of ideaology, we can get around to fixing the problem.
Jack
Remember the last two elections. Maybe the next election will take care op the Gop.
We could start by asking/telling the former vice president not to make public inflammatory remarks about this brand new administration. He is certainly entitled to his opinion but if he really wanted to be helpful he could have used a more private and cooperative delivery.
Start calling them out on their lies. Are Democrats not listening to any of the Republican's concerns in drafting legislation? Are the Republicans saying No to everything? Give the public some real reporting and get the facts out there so people quit arguing over undefined "pork" or "wall street fatcats."
Honestly Jack we don't have time to worry about hurting someone's feelings. The economy is tanking and the Democrats are worried about bi-partisanship? Really? It's time the Dems did what was done to them for the past 8 long years. Ignore the Republicans and their trickle down tax cut plans that don't work! They need to pass the stimulus bill and stop trying to please everyone because while they are on the hill twittling their thumbs, we the voters of this so called change administration are counting the minutes! Grow up and lead President OBAMA!
More of the kind of effort that President Obama has demonstrated in a two weeks' time will help to break the old mold. His willingness to visit capital hill, his willingness to meet with Republic leadership, his request that the Dems take a serious look at Republic input on the stimulus package, his invitation for Republicans to join his administration AND his Super Bowl party...and his willingness to accept blame and ownership regarding the Daschle nomination...are all examples of the type of behavior that, if emulated by members of both Houses, could begin to restore civility and a sense on collegiality and compromise to do right by the American people. Anyone who thinks this will happen overnight is unrealistic; name me other Washington electeds who have done anything similar in such a short timeframe please. By the way, I'm a Republican.
The democratic party is so full of socialist members that they gird lock any action that is good for the country. Get rid of Reid, Pelosi, Frank, Dodd, and keep a tether on Obama and the country may come out ok.
The country desperately needs a third party. A third party would eliminate the opportunity for a run in the corner and hide the needed votes which both the Elephants and the Asses do when they are the minority.
As a fiscal conservative who values the environment, values the right of personal privacy and freedom, values the complete separation of Church and State there is no party for me and many other young people. We need a party that understands that our economy is only a part of the global economy. The remainder of the world is no longer kissing our feet.
Where do I go for that Party?
I like it; to me it does not get any better than this.
In fact if I did not see as such what was happening today, I would be very concern, so I have but very few worries in general.
God and Country
Get rid of the Democrats trying to socialize our country and return to the system set up by our founding fathers. Start a "Common Sense" party and elect Glenn Beck!
I think the Republicans need to realize that their cries to cut spending are being heard. I lost my job a few weeks ago and I.. like millions of Americans.. have cut spending. Not much eating, driving, shopping, etc. See? And I'm a democrat.
I'm not exactly letting Democrats off the hook, but the Republicans do have a point to some of the questionable spending that some Democrats wanted in the original rescue package.
Bottom line: both parties have different points of view. i just hope they release that people are hurting in realtime while the politicians take their time and waste our time.
Two words... Term Limits.
If our leaders had a set amount of time and that were it they would focus on using that time and make compromises, rather than posturing. These people think that elected office is a career, the very idea of which would have brought gasps from our founding fathers. 12 consecutive years in one chamber... that would change the attitude in Washington. Unfortunately the chuckleheads that would have to pass such a limit are the ones that would stand to lose from it.... so no hope there.
Jack, the eight-year assault on President Bush by the mainstream media created the divide in America; it encouraged prominent Democratic leaders to call their own president names such as murderer, traitor, and coward. The national divide is mirrored in Washington now.
You know, Republicans are the ones who created this mess, now they are trying to tell the president what to do? Shame on them!!! Democrats just have tax problems, look at what all the Wall Street giants did. They stole the tax payers money and got themselve bonuses... Did they get enough in the last 8 yrs of Bush administration. Now they should just stand by and support the bill
Thanks U
Democrats and Republicans simply must come together now to get our country back on track – if they don't, we'll all suffer the consequences together. My prescription: Play ball. Give a little. Listen to the other side and avoid knee-jerk opposition. Both Democrats and Republicans have good ideas for the stimulus package, and the President has acknowledged that. Hopefully it's a sign they can get things done.
Get some adult leadership in both political parties and remember what George Washington and James Madison had to say about FACTIONS–we seem to have that illness (and have had it for the past 30 years).
As ciizens, we all need to promote the growth of a third party. How about an Independent Party? GOPs and DEMS are far to entrenched in political bickering, and pandering to their flocks. A third party could really break up deadlocks.
It seems too often that elections come down to the lesser of two evils Although this year was a tough decidion (at least until McCain chose Palin as his VP choice). Four years ago, I only voted out of duty.
Give the people more choice in who is up for election. We are a diverse nation, and do not fit neatly into red or blue catagories.
Jon,
West Hartford, CT
Ending the dispute between the two parties will only start when both sides are willing to put differences aside for the common good of the people. Democrats vs. Republicans or Republicans vs. Democrats....it doesn't matter. The unfortuante truth is that predujice is alive and well among the parties. Not predujice in the traditional sense, since we have elected a black president. C'mom politicians! Work together for those of us that elected you, and need your leadership and example.
theoretically...?
(1)Take all the politically belligerent loud mouths in our country. Tell them to make a list of their 10 worst gripes.
(2)Put them all in a gigantic wooden shed. Tell them they can't leave until they have all read their lists or are ready to compromise.
(3) Lock the door and set the shed on fire.
(4) Monitor the the activity in the room and don't let them out until they've all finished shooting off their mouths or have compromised.
------------–
This is what they're doing to the rest of our country. Letting the whole structure collapse in flames around us while they enjoy shooting their mouths off..
Replacing the entrenched majority and minority leadership would be a good start. The are in control of what is now happening, and its not good.
The only prescription for Republicans to behave more civilly is to give them all heart transplants. Their "sour grapes" attitude toward everything Obama is frustrating. They have not, do not & will not care for common Americans–only money, and on Republican terms. That leopard has to die before its spots will decompose.
Force all of those old people into retirement, and lets see if they can live off of their fixed income and limited medical care. Im 22 with a degree in Political Science and I believe that younger and more intelligent citizens should have thier chance in government. Their "experience" is killing us all.
Hey everyone, let's give our President time. He has only been in office for two weeks. The Rep are playing a game (once again) and it makes me sick.
Take my breath away, will ya? YOU, Jack Cafferty, the nastiest name-caller in all of media, who recently referred to Rush Limbaugh as a "corpulent Oxycontin aficionado" and described Republicans as "right-wing nut jobs" want to know what to do about incivility in politics? How about starting in your own back yard?
The prescription simple. The American People need a heavy dose of caffeine pills to wake up and legitimately start considering a third party. Until then, we all will remain asleep while the incompetent members of congress bicker back and forth like a bunch of kindergartners. Republican's are now suddenly concerned with fiscal responsibility, something that was lacking the last eight years, and Democrats think the financial crisis is an opportunity to pass a platter of ridiculous programs. its about time that we get some politician's in Washington that care more about the American people than petty party politics.
My prescription? Give the medication a little time to work. You don't take an asprin and expect it to cure your headache in ten seconds, and you can't expect long-term habits to ease-up over the course of two weeks. You also can't judge whether the way Washington works is changing on the basis of one vote on a huge bill that hasn't gone through the whole process yet.
The only way to get change, real change, is to form a new political party that can break the duopoly of politics that the Republicans and Democrats have with an intense stranglehold on the American people.
I guess the Republicans don't understand the messages sent to them in the 2006 and 2008 elections. The public, who elect them, wants the bs in Washington to stop. We want our senators snd representatives to work together for the GOOD OF THE COUNTRY. We have had far too much divisiveness. Our country is in a terrible mess and getting worse every day while the Republicans fiddle like Nero. Do we have to sit and watch our country burn before they get off the pot and do what is needed to get us back on track. If they don't, the next election in 2010 will throw the rest of them out of office and they can join the rest of the people in this country in the unemployment line. You better hear our message or else.
Smaller is more united and there will be lack of diversity of ideas. Smaller group will always put unity of the group first and rest second.
This is exactly is what happening with Republicans. They think opposing everything will make them strong. They are more worried about their party than anything else. No matter how hard Mr. Obama tries that won't make any difference.
I personally think: Bail-out plans or Stimulus packages have passed earlier and there was nothing wrong with plans what was wrong is execution, Now I thing we will see better execution of any plan under this administration.
-dhillon Boston
That's easy! Get rid of all the Republicans. Of course, I'm not serious. However, if you look back in time, you'll note that it always seems to be the Republicans who are unyielding and vote in lock step with each other. It makes no difference if they are the majority or the minority. Democrats, on the other hand, are more likely to vote independently of the party. You'd have to go way back to reformers like Jacob Javits to find Republicans who are willing to buck the party line. The part of Limbaugh is very predictable.
Remove all the lawyers. Start from scratch with new rules, no lawyers investment bankers and no lobbyist (past or present) allowed. Two (2) terms maximum. You can be removed from office by vote after 1 year if the voters in your district so deem you worthless.
Otherwise there's the good ole boy way, tar and feathers or gallows.
It's time to physically mix up Congress's seating arrangement. Why is Congress set up like it is two highschool football teams. There should not be one side of the aisle vs the other. When you have problem groups is a class room the first thing you do is re-arrange their seating.
Also the point that should be made in the bully pulpit is that each congress man should be his own person and ceases to be a Democrat or Republican once they actually are elected. They are there to design fair and just legislation for all Americans known as the common good. Any congressman who is just going along with his party is copping out. Ideally party dogma should be the least important reason to vote for or against legislation.
The ideologies and habits of Washington D.C. did not evolve in a day. If I were to adopt a 17-year-old teenager tomorrow, should I be accused of poor upbringing after two weeks of parenting? This is another example of lofty expectations of President Obama. President Obama is doing right to cultivate an environment that will lend to bi-partisanship. He is welcoming ideas and respecting differing perspectives. That is the political discourse we desperately need and respect.
We are a government of the people. With that said, taking away the voting rights of most of the morons expressing their views here would be a good start.
Term Limits for Congress – no more than 12 years combined service in either house. So every senator is out after 2 terms, every rep is out after 6 terms. The entrenchment of congress into "kingdom building" and "lobbyist loyalty" is the root of this evil, not part lines.
There is no way to end the partisanship in D.C. Politics is no longer about doing what is right for the people of our country. It's about who is in power and who is not. , Obama should forget about courting the Republicans. As far as I can tell, their only agenda is how to win back the power they so deservedly lost. They are petty, partisan, and have a paucity of fresh ideas. Most of all they are willing to allow our country to end up in the ash pile of history.
To end the partisanship in Washington is to have a one party system.
I don't advocate a one party system. Democracy is a noisy place and Washington is functioning just fine. Winston Churchill once said that
democracy was the worst kind of government until you compare it to all the others. Enough said.
Not a damn thing any of us can do. Only the members of the Congress can end this divide. They will when they learn to think of America winning and not their egos and factions.
There is no way to end the partisan divisiveness and, more importantly, it should not end! Opinions from opposite ends of the political spectrum serve as the critical foundation for our nation's greatness. Important issues must be debated, passionately and continuously. Instead, we should seek to end the personal attacks that accompany differing points of view. Unfortunately, personal attacks are highly effective. Attack the idea with logic and facts, do not attack the person!
San Antonio
Burn the Republicans at the stake! We can use thier friends, the greasy oil company exec's as kindling!
Initiate a Term Limit Policy . This will help to level the playing field and force our elected representatives to focus on their folks back home and not on growing grass roots in Washington
Its time that both parties stop acting like children. Intead of voting along with other party members, start voting their consious concerning the differences of right and wrong. This simple way of thinking would quickly stop all of the foolishness that goes on a day to day basis in Washington.
The problem with politics are the politicians. They all want something for themselves before they try to get something for the people that voted them in. The President is only one man, the house, senate, and congress are the ones who really run the country, and also really mess it up. Put them on a pay cap also and let them get paid what a middle class person gets, then they will see what we have to deal with and go through to survive. Then they will learn what to do in their positions and think of everyone first instead of themselves.
Allow senators & representatives to drink alcohol and smoke weed on the job. They will all become too drunk and stoned to be bitterly divided.
Cut the crap people!! (Republicans) what u don't realize is that whether u cooperate or not your peers and acquaintances will be affected by your failure to do your appointed jobs!! Let's get this country back on track. It's been off track for quite a while! Stop the quibbling and TEAM UP! dammit. I'm sick of this! U have a new leader EMBRACE IT, AND LET'S GET TO WORK!!!! I NEED A NEW CAR!!
If we pay attention to efforts to reach across the aisle, and disregard divisive comments, that will be a step in the right direction.
The change, if it occurs, will take time. We got into this bitter culture-war mentality over a long period of time. It will take a long time to get into a better frame of mind.
Each of us need to ask our public servants to do the right thing, not for their party, and not for their own personal self interest, but for the country.
We all need to pull together. Let's act like it. Let's be deliberate and thoughtful in our words and actions. And let's not let mean-spirited partisanship, from anyone, get a pass. As the President has said, taking the easy road and avoiding the hard choices, that time has surely passed. The same holds true for tearing down the other side. Maybe there is no other side. We are all on the same side.
How about it???