Debt ceiling crisis: Why won't gov't listen to the American people?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The American people have had enough, but their feelings on the debt ceiling crisis continue to fall on deaf ears.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/07/27/art.money.jpg caption="Sheets of freshly made $20 bills lay in stacks at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing."]
Monday night, President Barack Obama called on the American people to "make your voices heard," and boy, did they. The calls and e-mails to Congress the next day almost shut down the phones and computers in Washington. Might not have been a bad idea. But no matter. Here it is Wednesday. Default is less than a week away. And still nothing. Americans want compromise, and they've made that very clear.
The polls - CNN-ORC, Pew, ABC News-Washington Post - have all been reflecting this for weeks. They do not want their government to default on its debt obligations. They know the rest of the world is watching, and they want leadership to fix this mess. But Washington is clueless. They don't seem to hear us or care much what we think.
They have their own agendas and, as a result, are playing games with the financial well-being of millions. According to two recent polls, two-thirds of Americans believe a failure to raise the debt ceiling would have a negative impact on their own financial situation.
Yesterday, the new chief of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, said a default or even a downgrade of U.S. debt would be a "very, very, very serious event," not just for the U.S. economy but for the global economy. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has a plan that won't pass, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner has a plan that won't pass and President Obama has no plan at all.
Maybe the voters will come up with a plan for these dysfunctional clowns in 2012.
Here’s my question to you: When it comes to the debt ceiling crisis, why won't the government listen to the American people?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Mike in Crockett, Texas:
Our elected officials never listen to the people. The Republicans think their number one job is to make President Obama a one-term president, the Tea Party congressmen think they were elected to shut down the government and get rid of all social safety nets, and the Democrats think they were sent to Washington to cave in to any stiff opposition without a fight. They are all clueless as to what we want which is compromise.
Lou:
Because Americans don't vote in enough numbers to make a difference. If every citizen who ever griped about how dysfunctional our government was actually showed up at the polls, we would have leaders who responded to our needs.
Carlos in Pasadena, California:
Whether you are for or against Obama and the Democrats doesn't matter. What matters is that if you are like me, who paid his way, who saved for his retirement, you should be very concerned. A default will jeopardize, in my case, my IRA's, my teacher's pension, my wife's pension and her social security. Whether you believe it or not, the middle class is on the verge of extinction.
Victoria:
Why don't they listen? Because they are too involved in finding ways to enrich themselves to understand, much less care, about the rest of us. In all the pontificating that has gone on, I haven't heard one of them suggest that they cut their own salaries, benefits, or staff. It wouldn't make a big difference in terms of reducing the deficit, but it would show that they are willing to do some of what they are imposing on the rest of us. Just a thought.
Mike in Brooklyn, New York:
Because the number one priority of the conservative agenda is to assure that President Obama be a one-term president. The loss of a AAA rating of US Treasury bonds would be a great achievement for the Republicans. Ruining the country is a necessary casualty.
Nate in North Carolina:
Naturally when a third party intervenes in an argument between two parties it becomes the common enemy. We are like an only child yelling at its dysfunctional parents.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Congress doesn't listen to "the people" because corporations pay them NOT to. The big banks want a default so interest rates will skyrocket and they'll make another killing on the backs of those of use who can't afford it.
The Republicans can't listen to the people because they are too busy listening to Grover Norquist!
Republicans are always saying the US is becoming a Fascict state, yet THEY are the ones facillitating it by kow-towing to Dictator Norquist.
What ever happened to the Majority Rules?
When did politicians ever listen to the American people?
Because our representatives only listen to lobbyists and donors and the American people are not capable of spending hundreds of millions of dollars to gain their ear.
Jack: Every 24 months or so; Washington DC, listens to election results. This is the only day they listen to Americans. I believe that 65% to 72% of America wants the debt ceiling raised for at least 2 years. Americans are sick of Congress agruing about the debt ceiling. They want jobs, lower interest for credit, incentatives to keep business located in America, comprehensive energy policy which is not set by oil companies, and development of a future climate for business in America. I am sure Congress could do more, but they would rather stop medicare, social security payments, and close VA hospitals. Sounds like the Republicans in Congress!!!!
The government is listening to the American people, who want both government services and low taxes.
We're not on their agenda. This is all a fight for power, especially with the Republicans. It sure appears as if there is some grand plan going on for changing America as we know it. Not liking what I'm seeing.
Ann, Allentown, PA
Untill there are term limits the people are a joke to them.
The American people aren't listened to because we can't afford to hire expensive lobbyists or write six figure campaign donation checks. We have the best government money can buy.
I'll answer your question with another question: When did the government listen to the American people on ANY issue of real importance? Mostly it is a "we'll pass the bill first, and then you can read it" attitude. It is that elitist snobbery that is leading to the true downfall of the US, and BOTH major parties do it......
Well Jack, the people spoke in November, but the left is deaf, dumb and blind. They just don't get it. Perhaps the people should send their message in Braille.
Who do you think the American people are? They don't pour millions into they're elections coffers, get to the back of the line people, politicians have promises to keep.
The gov't is controlled by lobbyist and big business who donate money to their campaigns. That is why they are protected like a new born baby when it comes to paying their fair share. In today's politics it is all about money. When large sums of money are given to campaigns there are strings attached. In other words they are bought and paid for and to hell with what the average citizen wants or needs.
Since polls show the majority of Americans want an increase in taxes for the wealthy and large corporations as a part of any debt reduction it seems that Obama and the Democrats are the ones listening to the American people. At least this time. The Republican Party is being held hostage by extremists on the far right of their party who could care less what the majority of Americans want, or for that matter what is good for the country. They are unwilling to listen to anyone who does not share their convoluted view of the country and what it ought to be.These extremists are willing to cause great financial calamity and damage the country's long term credit worthiness for the sole purpose of making an ideological point. The Republican Party as a whole is going to pay a huge price for having given up control to the far right. And they should. If the party elders had any back bone and stood up to these people instead of courting their favor the country wouldn't have been put in the position it is in.
Mostly Jack it is because the people do not believe the government has their best interest at heart. Look, our government has spent us into insolvency. Now our government wants us to believe that they all of a sudden can fix the problems that they themselves have created. Both parties spend wastefully and neither party has a clear plan to get us out of the debt they have created with their continued spending. The time for finger pointing is over. The time for political grand standing and posturing is over. It is time to come together get a plan and blow the damn ink dry. If they can not agree on a plan then step down and we will elect some people with a spine to do so.
Oh, Jack, you are SO naive. Politicians in Washington listen only to the following: the little voices in their heads, their party, major contributors and lobbyists, and pundits that are in line with their party's ideology and agenda. The American people do not matter and are not listened to, and are expected only to send money, vote for the party candidate, then sit down and shut up. I used to work for a Republican Senator, and to him the average American citizen was just a necessary nuisance to be ignored until election time.
Because they're beholdin' to those special interests that fund a lot of their campaigns rather than the actual majority of people who vote them in.
The answer is a no-brainer – ideology and money. Political ideologies promulgated by the power elite for their own betterment – in other words, "Money talks .... ".
Sadly because the Republican Party is so blinded by parochial fundamentalism and false patriotism – stalwarts against Satanic taxes while the House Leader spews partisan blather and obsesses in preserving socially offensive tax oases.
Because they do not have to. They can raise their salaries, get lifetime healthcare for just one term of service, and not be affected by a government shut down. A debt ceiling crisis is nothing to them because it does not screw them.....Just the working people.
Excuse us ??
I think they ARE listening to the American people. At least those who say enough is enough !!
MOST Americans...............the one's who actually work and contibute to mankind.................are sick and tired of the deception and devious federal spending through the roof. It has reached such hideous levels during the past two years that an end must be forced if this nation is to survive.
Can you say ENOUGH ???
Jack, a few nights ago, President Obama suggested that citizens call the White House or their representatives, and a great many of them did, are continuing to do so! YAY! And, yes, the whole world is watching– of course, their economies depend on ours staying as afloat as it is.A drop in our national credit rating will/would hurt many countries!
I think President Obama is listening– he's also cognizant of the many many polls showing a majority support him & his compromising, let's work together, approach.
The Tea Party republicans are seemingly deaf.....
Jack I wish upon wish I knew the answer to that question.These people in Washington have mis used the people's money to the nines.They have stolen the American dream and now wrecked our nations credit.
I am so frustrated with these bafoons I am out of words
""THIS IS NOT THEIR MONEY TO SQUANDER"""
david
Because they got theirs and they are rich & powerful – unlike us "little people", you know, us small business owners.
Because Jack they just like playing dirty politics in Washington DC. The only good politicians are the ones that aren't in office any more.
Government politicians don't listen to us because they don't have to. The people we should be talking to are Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Chase Manhattan. If Congress holds the country hostage and the banks retaliate by raising interest rates, let's tell the banks we'll all hold them hostage and stop paying on our credit cards. Do that and we'll bipartisanship that rivals a Roman orgy!
Because it's so much easier just telling us what we want to hear.
When it comes to the debt ceiling crisis, I'm more afraid of the government listening to the American people than I am for it ignoring them.
The mainstream media is reporting that a majority of Americans are dependent on bailouts that they don't want to end no matter how broke their benefactors are. The American people seem ready to counterfeit FED dollars that are valueless rather than tighten their consumptive belts.
Our government is akin to a defense attorney. Winning is their total focus. Mitch McConnell said after Obama was elected that the goal of the republican party is to see him fail. What a great American !
David, Las Vegas
President Obama and the Democrats have bent over backward to compromise with the Republicans, who are deafened by the shrill histrionics of the TEA party, which is leading them over an ideological cliff. It's time for the only adult in the room to use the 14th amendment to get around this bunch of whiners.
It's the Tea Party who is not listening. I think the American people are starting to realize that the thinking of the Tea Party is the same as that of suicide bombers, to wit: 'If we can't have our way, we'll blow everyone to hell.'
America’s 21st Century Revolution
How,
Where we are as a nation.
We have failed our mandate, and it is time to do something about it. This should be the last time Congress and the President tell us how to spend our money. We are suppose to be a government of the people. Instead we are a government of the representatives of the people. Instead of having royalty rule us, we are governed by the elected elite who will cash us n for every cent we will allow at every opportunity. This must change.
America and technology are at a state where we the people can make these determinations ourselves. We don’t need politicians to lie to us, butter us up and sell us out. We need commentators, non-bias analyst, and administrators. Lets let “Movements” hire lawyers to draft laws and pay presenters to present proposed laws to the people through the media. A town hall meeting is held, a debate is aired, a vote is taken, and the measure is either moved up a level or down.
This can happen. Don’t let anybody tell you we’re not ready for it. This can be America’s 21st Century Revolution. Power to the people!
Musings from above,
Chief Cloudy Capstone
Our Elected Officials are in the upper income brackets, [$174,000 a year] and they only know most of their constituents when it time for re-election. They spend most of their leisure time at the "pay for membership country clubs" where all of the "big wigs" go. This is where they receive their political input, and these people all have a vested interest in the statements they make, and this is why the majority of their policy making is backwards, or, simply put, "we can steal more this way."
We are the government, the American public. I have a hunch most of us don't understand that, and the government is looked at as they. Maybe we should pay attention and start listening to ourselves.
Naturally when a third party intervenes in an argument between two parties it becomes the common enemy. We are like an only child yelling at its dysfunctional parents.
They won't listen to America because America didn't elect them. Multinational corporations placed these people into government to further their interests-not ours.
No amount of voting will change that. The system is rigged so that we can either live like the slave-wage Chinese or go to prison for stealing from the very corporations that force this reality on us.
And that's just the Republicans and Democrats I'm talking about. They are just corrupt and opportunist. The Tea Party on the other hand is flat out insane. This nation is toast.
Because there are two republican partys, the tea party and the GOP. one is so far to the right they act insane and the GOP are afraid of them.
Because Americans don't vote in enough numbers to make a difference. If every citizen who ever griped about how dysfunctional our government was actually showed up at the polls, we would have leaders who responded to our needs.
Because the number one priority of the conservative agenda is to assure that President Obama be a one-term president. The loss of a AAA rating of US Treasury bonds would be a great achievement for the Republicans. Ruining the country is a necessary casualty.
Our elected officals never listen to the people. The Republicans think their number one job is to make President Obama a one term president, the Tea Party congressmen think they were elected to shut down the government and get rid of all social safety nets, and the Democrats think they were sent to Washington to cave in to any stiff oposition without a fight.
They are all cluless as to what we want, compremise. I don't remember any of the current debt celing issues being on the ballot. This is nothing more than political posturing.
well it's either a or b a they don't care or b we don't have millions on hand in cash to give to their campaigns or c it's both they would not listen to us for anything
That's the problem, they are listening. The Tea Part reps are listening to the Tea Party. The mainstream Republican reps are listening to the mainstream Republicans. The Democratic reps are listening to the Democrats. All they want is to be re-elected at any cost and so they tow the party line.
tampa, fl hard to listen when your phone is off the hook, you inbox on everything is full, and you aren't any where to be found.
They haven't listened in the past, so why should they listen now? Our Congress consistently displays a contempt for the American citizen that is apparent in almost every thing they do. Both parties whore themselves out to corporations, lobbyists and corrupt foreign dictators at every opportunity. The vast majority of our consumer goods come from a communist nation, Mexico is killing us with an un-stoppable invasion, our food is tainted and medical care is out of reach to millions upon millions of citizens. Congress has never listened to us because they think they are above our concerns. Let the revolution begin.
i would like to know,all these big payed jerks dont seem to care for us older folks.,as long as they do not have THEIR taxes raised,but is o.k.to screw us old and throw away folks. I am a U.S. citizen and a Canadian,and am proud of both
Capt. David Pountney
Jack
To lay the blame at the feet of the very people that refuses to listen to the American people, please stop referring to elected U.S Congressmen and U.S Senators as Government. There are millions of Federal Government employees (Military, NIH,FDA, Agriculture,NASA, etc) but only the legislators/elected officials have turned a deaf ear to the wishes of the American people on the subject of the Debt Ceiling crisis.
Because the morons in the government have gotten so incredibly full of themselves that they no long care what WE THE PEOPLE want. All that matters to them, is their own personal ageendas. They are lies and cheats, if they worked for a real company, they would have been fired long before now.
They will continue to get paid, thanks to those wonderful Founding Fathers, so what do they care about us.
There is no money to be made by listening to us. Most Americans may want compromise, but the people funding the campaigns don't.
The government is not listening to the American people because it is not about us at this time. We must see the big picture and that is the republicans are on a mission that will prevent our President from doing what is RIGHT and that which is GOOD for the people. The president came in to office where there was a need to spend to get our country moving. The Republicans agenda is to show their strength not caring who is hurt by their actions
Every poll shows that two thirds of the American people want a balanced approach that includes both spending cuts and tax increases on the wealthy and on corporations to deal with the deficit.... which actually has nothing to do with the debt ceiling issue, which is just being used for blackmail purposes.
The only reasons I can think of for people in Congress to ignore the American people and rigidly hold out for spending cuts only are either the members of Congress are beholden to special interests and lobbyists, and are doing what's good for them instead of the American people; or they're so blinded by ideological fervor that they can't see reality.
Either way, they shouldn't be serving in Congress anymore.
It must be too much special interest campaign money stuffed in their ears. Makes it heard to hear the phone ringing.
A... they live in a bubble.
B... most are millionaires or billionaires unlike 95% of americans who sen. simpson (bowls, simpson plan) has referred to on video as "the little people..
C... many have pledged their allegiance to grover norquest.
D... the ones that haven't are in the back pockets of big banks and corporations..
The government will not listen to the American people because they are out of touch, have their own hidden agendas and are all too busy playing politics than giving a damn about the U. S. A.
I am feed up with the game that is being played with our economy and the nations credit rating. I have voted for virtually every republican presidential candidate since my first vote for Richard Nixon. But I am frustrated by the right wing tea party's failure to compromise and see the big picture. A compromise by definition means finding a solution that you may not be fully satisfied with. The tea party seems to be the "me party". "Listen to ME and give ME what I want".If the house and senate do not find a way to reach a compromise very soon my only real recourse is to vote for change in Washington meaning I will not vote for ANY incumbent. I fear a certain level of damage has already been done to our AAA rating and reputation. The focus right now needs to be on economic recovery and jobs growth. Economic growth will increase revenues. What is happening right now could further stall the economy and raise interest rates for us all. I'm a believer in managing our debt cap but this blind focus on a solid cap right now strikes me as the economic equivalent of Picketts Charge at Gettysburg.
Why does anyone expect the government to start listening now when it usually takes a Constitutional Amendment to get them to listen even when the Amendment doesn't work out the way it is expected to.
Why don't they listen? Because they are too involved in finding ways to enrich themselves to understand, much less care, about the rest of us. In all the pontificating that has gone on, I haven't heard one of them suggest that they cut their own salaries, benefits, or staff. It wouldn't make a big difference in terms of reducing the deficit, but it would show that they are willing to do some of what they are imposing on the rest of us. Just a thought.
The Tea Party has succeeded in conflating debt due with spending. They are not the same! Listen to us! Pass the ceiling clean for another year then deal with real issues. We are losing more jobs every day. See GE sending more to China. JEEZ.
Carol in Northampton, MA
Whether you are for or against Obama and the Democrats doesn't matter. What matters is that if you are like me, who paid his way, who saved for his retirement, you should be very concerned. A default in the government will jeopardize, in my case, my IRA's, my teacher's pension, my wife's pension and her social security. Whether you believe it or not, the middle class is on the verge of extinction. Boehner is not listening to you. He is in Karl Rove's pocket. Karl Rove and his ilk is why the government is not listening.
Carlos M., Pasadena Calif.
It's kind of hard to listen to anything when your brain would fit inside a gnat's skull and rattle around like an electron in the universe. It shouldn't be "there's blood in the water and our bunch of sharks want to feed." It should be the American people are incredibly pissed off at both parties and if they want to continue to have employment in January of 2013, we better get our act together real fast.
jack,
The government won’t listen to the American people because the average citizen doesn’t have thousands of dollars they can donate to election/re-election campaigns. Then there’s Grover Norquist’s no tax increases document that a number of Republicans have signed, and are being held “hostage” by. Lastly, our elected officials have lost any semblance of a conscience.
The republicans are speaking for the majority of the American people. The republicans have already voted and passed two bills on this subject and the Democrats in the senate have struck the bills down. The President is bringing up tax increases in order to pass a bill and it has nothing to do with the debt crisis. The Congress has a spending problem not a tax problem. The revenues that would go towards the debt are minimal and do nothing other than hold the small businesses and entrepreneurs from hiring and getting us out of the spending binge we government has been on for 10 + years.
You mean they can see people from the Hill, Jack?
From Prescott, Arizona: It has become quite apparent that any time someone expects our President to do what's right for this country, he is lost for what direction to take. He seems to be taking all of his orders from the extreme left!
Jack that's kind of a nonsensical question, if they were to listen to the American people they would have to ignore the ones that make the rules, the ones that real count, you know big business. You know what happens when a prostitute doesn't respect her sugar daddy, well it's not pretty, same thing here. What the question should be is why do the American people keep electing the same people when it's so obvious that the longer there in government the better they are at stuffing there own pockets, when ever I hear the speaker of the house (say what the American people want), I want to puke!
Dave from peterborough, NH.
Listen to who Jack? The American people are just as divided and adament on their views as the the politicians. The media has polluted everyone with their biased and half-truths reporting. The poll questions are slanted to garner the wanted response depending on who's doing the polling.Washington politicians from the President to Congress,, along with the biased media, skews their actions to fit their political agenda, knowing that they can scam the American people by their repetitious talking points amplified by the media. Why do you think a sitting President is building a billion dollar campaign fund for re-election?
Roy Jacksonville FL
I think the point of having a government is to consolidate opinions into fewer and fewer hands in order to avoid everyone voting on everything. They shouldn't consult us on everything and they shouldn't have to when making decisions whether or not to bury us in debt.
Because our congress critters are wholly bought and paid for by the corporations. And according to the Supreme Court, corporations are people too and have millions of dollars of "speech" to spread around thanks to Citizens United. So, Jack, they ARE listening to the American
people!
Because the government doesn't have to. Who supports the election campaigns of Congress and the President? Corporate, union and private interest PACs. He who has the money rules, and since the U.S. Supreme Court in its infinite lack of wisdom found that there weren't any limits on this spending, Congress and the President are even less responsive to the fiscal needs of the American People than they have been in the past. So we're stuck with irresponsible spending and no clear plan to control it.
Politicians are smooth talkers, not listeners Jack. Their collective backgrounds, experience and qualifications to address such an incredible problem is zero, nada and nil. Obama was a "community organizer" which certainly doesn't qualifty him to do so nor does the backgrounds of the other players in this side show. America's currently in the hands of unqualified, incompetent people who have circled the wagons against their own citizens.
Gary H. Boyd in Scottsdale, Arizona
The same two things they always listen to instead: power and money.
In this case, the power to push through long-term political doctrine on both sides (neither of which is sustainable), and the huge donations that keep their influence and cooperating politicians in office. When we decide to change our entire election system to eliminate the big influence that money has on the outcome, this will not change. I think we should eliminate all political donations and third party advertising, take a few dollars from each taxpayer each year, and apportion the money according to national office importance. We also should require all media to donate a reasonable amount of space and time, also in proportion to the importance of the office. If that is considered unconstitutional, then let the election commission do a subsidy for proscribed amounts of advertising at set prices.
becuz the multi nationals have paid off and bought the soul of both sides ot the aisle. its all about the individual congress member doing horrible favors for the payoffs that help them stay in office way to long..it never was about morality just what law you could create to allow loopholes that thieve from the people so as to get a kickback..a 3rd world idea
The federal gov't is so focused on the budget they have tunnel vision and forget to see and hear from the very people who elected them. They have failed to do their duties as elected officials regarding this crisis. Its time to move out the self-centered bureaucrats of Congress and put in some statesmen who care about the 300 Millions+ in the United States. Jack, surely you can vote for someone who can get the job done right now instead of down the road.
Since when has the government listened to the "Silent Majority." Every time a Republican says, "The American People want.." I know for sure he was not asking me. The Democrats are not much better. Other countries know that health care is just that. A balanced budget with small tax increases and spending cuts is what the people want, but that is not what I hear from Washington. By the way, we pay off our debts, not just interest, why can't those idiots even try?
Why would they,too busy playing games with our lives.If we default I bet there would be enough their too pay their wages(which they don't deserve).But the welfare of the American people is another thing entirely.They should hang their heads in shame,but they aren't even smart enough for that How sad they are selling us all down the river.
I'm so sick of hearing "Americans across the country manage to balance their budgets." Whether or not that is a fair assessment, the United States is not the average family. I think that most of our experienced representatives are listening to the American people when they say they want a compromise plan. It is the Tea Party that isn't listening, and someone seems to have forgotten to tell them that also all across the country, freshmen mind their business and do not ruffle feathers.
Brookline, MA
They have their hearing aids turned off and think that they know what's best. Ironically, all are showing WE THE PEOPLE, they could care less what we think as long as they remain in power. To add insult, all seemed hell bent on ruining the country for the sake of power.
same old republicans if you agree with them they are doing the peoples will.If you dont dont you dont love america and they are heroes because they are doing what the country needs.when will the middle class learn not to vote for these people,andbefore im labled a teorist by the right democrats are no better but at least they want to make the rich stop using all these tax breaks they really dont need
It is the politics stupid. However, our president's inability to say Balancing the Budget and Raising the Debt Ceiling is two different things is making any agreement impossible.
I would like to repeat history and have a Boston Tea Party and throw the Republican Tea Party overboard. Secondly, I would like to stop all salaries and benefits for all of our representatives until they make an agreement. Maybe they should be locked in a room like a conclave until they get an agreement. They sure are not worth what they are being paid.
The Mad-Irishman
Hollywood, Florida
One word re-election. They all have thier own group that got them elected to office and if they fall out of that groups good graces, they don't get re-elected. Why give up a cushy job, fat pay check, outstanding medical benifits, just to do the RIGHT THING. Plus I believe most of them are simply nuts. Examples: GOP Removing tax breaks will hurt job growth. FACT tax breaks have been in place for 10 yrs. Jobs down, CEO pay and bonuses up. 2. It's the presidents fault. FACT CONGRESS makes the laws. Until congress makes a bill and sends to the President, he is not to blame. If the President VETO'S a bill then you can blame him. DEM's think they can help everybody. Fact some people no matter what you do for them will be of no use.
Our leaders have definitely forgotten what Abraham Lincoln said, "Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." Washington is completely ignoring the fact that they are our elected REPRESENTATIVES. Let's put some of these crucial decisions out for a popular vote. The populace can make the decisions that affect them most. As for me, I'm all for raising taxes on the rich and corporations (OIL!), and in LESSER amounts, cutting some fat out of spending. We all have to dig in our heels right now, but not to the extent that we become a two-class nation: the rich and the poor. Raise that debt ceiling, as always, and then start saying "Never again" and get our House (pun intended) in order. Oh, and one more Abraham Lincoln. . ."America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves" I hope they let us eat cake before we perish.
I think it's because each Congressional Rep. has been voted into office on speeches and promises they made to their narrow constituencies. When Tip O'Neill said "All Politics Is Local" that's what he meant and we're seeing how that can hurt the common ggod Plus we have to listen to the same GOP re-frains and tired sound bytes that's been playing for a century. SMALLER GOVERNMENT. The fact is the government has grown under very administration since Washington. "And rumor has it – this trend may continue"
Because Congress only listens to those with lots and lots of money. With the downturn in the economy since Bush, the majority of American people aren't included in that group...therefore, they consider us beneath them and unworthy of consideration.
And what exactly are the American people saying? Are they asking politicians to raise the debt ceiling and continue to spend money that no one has? Or are they using their heads and telling Congress to stop the spending, to end the wars, and to get out of the business of the free market system?
At some point people have to realize that you can't keep spending on credit, and expect prosperity. Did any of you news commentators take the time to look at what rolling over the maturing debt each year is costing us? I think not, otherwise you wouldn't be trying to scare Americans to increase the debt limits.
Ron Paul in 2012...
Jack,
The GOP signing a pledge has priority over taking an Oath of Office to represent their people...by swearing on The Bible even. TRUE Christians huh? Apparently,signing a statement pledging allegiance to a billionaire has more 'legal stance' than God? Give the GOP/TP a little power and God is demoted to second in Command. Forget about the people,just as they already have.
Greg M. FL
Why won't Government listen?
It seems to me that the sane part of the Government IS listening. The Republican't Party (that's "Republican" + "T" Party) is using this artificial "crisis" to push their radical agenda and screw the middle class.
If we want to bring spending down, re-do the tax code, end the wars and create jobs, WE CAN DO IT. But not as hostages.
Bob Clayton
Power, greed, and the absolute ideologies, manipulated truths and lies that it takes to acquire these are the God politicians have come to unequivocally worship. And it will matter not who or what the sacrifice to this God may be. Power and greed....amen.
Having lost our compassion, our empathy, our ability to know right from wrong it is sad what we have become.
Maybe they are watching too many movies! The GOP showing clips from a gangster movie in which the actors are going to hurt people to get representatives motivated to follow their leader is a prime example. They don't live in the real world! They should join my world where I am worried sick about Social Security, Medicare, and my small amount in a 401K. Jack, tell them to get busy!
I can't watch anymore. This whole mess is too upsetting. Send me an e-mail to let me know if I'll have to go BK due to no Social Security checks. I'm going on a long walk now.
When was the last time any elected official listened to those who elected them? Besides, they apparently think we're children and don't know what's good for us and they do.
"To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them..."
Well,
The democrats failed to pass a Budget what, the last two years. So they think the people work for them. And today I read the Harry Reid won't pass any bill the House passes. I think I posted they would go into Overtime, and Overtime, and Overtime. A flying Saucer flew by earth a while back and Observed, No intellegent life here, and flew on.
That's supposed to be a joke, right?
They won't listen because the are too busy grandstanding for their political party. They don't care what worry they are causing for anyone. It is like the fiasco a while ago about shutting the government down. They waited till the bitter end to come up with a solution. Everybody wants to win, be the HERO!!! Listen you people who are in charge of deciding this debt ceiling situation, there are no heros, no winners, forget it, our country is in real trouble. I wish they would make a decision that is not politically motivated, try getting motivated by the people who voted for you to be for us and help us. This is all a 2012 election stunt as far as I can see!!!
I think the Tea Party has become drunk with power and think that they can accomplish grand schemes within days. John Boehner has lost control over this frankenstein of the Tea Party that represents essentially Joe the plumber, dispossessed angry white men who have lost their jobs and do not know who to blame in this global economy. Even John McCain is now saying the Tea Party is essentially nuts. We have to get back to a compromised style of government, even though it has become a dirty work in Washington. In the end President Obama may have to invoke the Fourteenth Amendment and raise the debt ceiling. Unfortunately this is the scenario that the founding fathers feared the most, a small ideologue driven group of people holding the country hostage. This is one very bad downside of democracy. But in the end the majority of the US people will come together and do help get this great country back on it's feet. She is all we have.
GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES !!
Supplement: I'm from Los Angeles. And to answer your question: Do they ever? As usual, lots of talk but the vote goes with their vested interests.
They think they are our keepers when it's the other way around.
It's too busy listening to ideologies, lobbyists, and extremist constituents to listen to everyone else. The government, as history has shown, is more than happy to ignore public opinion when it wants to. All a Congressperson needs is enough radical constituents to justify being stubborn; a huge shortcoming of democracy is that the people don't need to be informed in order to vote. Or get elected, for that matter.
Jack,
When we have INDIVIDUALS who feel they are more important than the good of our government we have a situation in which narcissism must be exposed and restrained.
Our representatives seem to not realize people will die, because of their arrogance and lack of consideration for others. As far as I am concerned these narrow minded Republican egoists can "hit the road – Jack."
Favoritism is clear especially when viewing the FACT that the budget ceiling has been raised multiple times when a Republican was in office as the President.
Joe, Binghamton, NY
I seem to remember in grade school (public education by the way) being told to “check our work”, before turning it in. Are you telling me those idiots in the GOP submitted an unchecked debt reduction plan? What does this tell you about the competency of the people elected to office; PATHETIC is what they all are. We so need a HUGE CHANGE!
The Republicans won't compromise on anything. They just want to cut Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid but God forbid they raise taxes on the wealthiest even though the gap has never been wider between the very wealthy and the middle class. Our country is so polarized and the Republicans just want to push Pres. Obama to the brink knowing he doesn't want to default on his watch and hoping to get all that they want. God help us.
The government wont work for anything the American people want, because they no longer work for the American people. They are bought and paid for by rich people. When their political careers are done, they go around living comfortably off the speech circuit or they write books which their rich benificiaries buy. It is no longer we the people, just ask the courts, it's we the corporations...
Two reasons that I can think of; 1) the American people don't pay them hundreds of thousand of dollars to get them elected, 2) we didn't get them to sign a pledge to consider legislation for the people and America and not be bound by some pledge to some buddy of Newt Gingrich, Norvel Norquist. This to me stiffles comprimise. I'm sure the conservatives don't consider the Declaration of Independence revalent anymore and probably have massive changes to it to fit their needs. Let get back to the idea of a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Pretty simple really.
Jack,
The Republican minority in the House is listening to their supporters – the same people who want to destroy this country – you might want to call them Red State Al Qaeda.
The real question is: Will the Republicans ever listen to the bond and stock markets? What will bring them to their senses? A Dow of 10,000? How about 5000? Would a Dow of 400 do the trick??
Carl from Pahrump, Nv
Frankly, Jack, a good chunk of the American people have no idea what they're talking about when it comes to the debt ceiling. And, unfortunately, a vocal minority in Congress doesn't either! I hope we aren't doomed. They need to pass a clean, one sentence debt ceiling increase TODAY!
Batavia, IL
LISTEN TO US! why Jack that would be out of character for Washington to listen to the people, "gov't for the people by the people" no I don't think that how it works, it more like, "people are meant to be governed" I'm dictated to not a participate in.
Our elected leaders in Washington have no reason to listen to us because they know that no matter how badly they screw the middle and lower classes, we are stupid enough to reelect them.
Eric
San Antonio, Texas
Don't really know the answer to that one Jack.I do know what happen the last time goverment in this country refused to listen to the people.What I see in Washington now reminds me of the fight between Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham and I'm just holding my breath to see if Good King Richard will show up to save the day!
The government or theGOP? It seems to me that they are the ones refusing to comprimise. And all to protect the very richest americans from paying their fair share after having had their way for so long.
They don't seem to listen to anyone, Jack – not major rating organizations, foreign governments, financial experts, media, the people or each other.
They're just 'blue' lemmings and 'red' lemmings racing to respective cliffs.
Have you folks lost all sanity of reason and respect down there?
There are three groups that think our government listens to them – corporate America, wealthy America, and a bunch of folks who are dumb, ignorant, and/or extremely gullible. Two of these three groups are correct.
These people have no idea what it is like to have to live and make do with only a social security check as income. The have their income, most were millionaires before they were elected, and never have had to worry about paying bills, or having enough for groceries. They have no reason to listen to those of us that have nothing. It's like my Dad always said. there are Have's, and Have Nots. We're have nots, and that puts us in a minority, and we all know what that means. The way this thing is heading, it won't be very long before somebody figures out that if they put those that reach the age of 64 down, like you do an animal when they are consided useless, or uncureable, they will solve the social security problem, as well as the medicare expenditure. I'm surprised it hasn't already been suggested....
Everyone is loosing sight that the US government hit the debit limit on May 26, 2011. The US Treasury has been using creative book keeping to us a float! Congress the US House of Representatives has been doing nothing since taking office. People have to understand that all bills originate in the House of Representatives! They have been knowing that since January, 2011, that the country would hit the debit limit in May, 2011. Now they are creating a nightmare for all of the citizens. Maybe they should not get paid or even loose their retirement for a poor performance and not putting the country first!
Listen to the people Jack? They only listen to the lobbyists who know just how to time bringing home some bacon in time for garnering enough votes to get reelected.
The majority of congress is so far removed from daily life outside Washington they actually believe they are above it all. But blame the sheeple that bow and kiss their ring when they make that trip home, dumb, just dumb.
Duh! Because they are paid to listen to billionaires and large corporations. These two groups possess goals to take over the country and do it by destroying the middle class and working poor. Average voters lack the foresight to vote out republicans, so we're doomed. Eve of Texas
Hi Jack, very simple really, pure arrogance; they just think they are cut above everyone else and have long forgotten who they are working for. The best description I have ever heard of a senator or congressman is "Banana" because they go in green, turn yellow and end up bent.
Martyn Fort Lauderdale.
There are so many layers between the government and the individual. I have more of a chance to affect change with my kid's principle or my city councilperson than my congressman.
Well designed websites, mass "personalized" emails, appropriately screened town hall meetings are not a substitue for true communication between the governement and the common man.
Here's what I'd do. Put each congressman, cabinent member and the President in a warehouse...banish all electronics...then lock the door from the outside and wait.
The Republicans got into a real mess when they handed themselves over to the Tea Party. Just to take over the House they let the Tea Party take charge and now they're paying for it. This group WILL NOT compromise and that's it! So, it isn't the whole government, just a particular group who has enough power to prevent anything from being accomplished.
The government doesn't listen to us on the debt ceiling or any other crisis! No longer are they representatives of the people who elected them. They only listen to whatever special interest group greases their palms, so it's become all about the money and power. We no longer have faith in the ability of either side to do the right thing for the general good. The few sincere officials still in office are mowed down on every issue by the greed stampede of the majority. America as we knew it is finished. I fear for what the future holds as we tumble headlong down the slippery slope.
what do you mean listen to them? Politicains #1 follow their party #2 vote in congress acording to what the big businesses want. Big business contributes to their campaigns and essentially
"gets them" elected.
The individual people have no voice. Once in a while, like with Obama, peple do actually ban together and vote accordingly. But that was an extreme situation since the Republicans along with President Bush Jr. put us into crisis through lack of financial regulation among other things.
Besides, this already happened once under Reagan. So this is just business as usual. By the way, was this meant to be a trick question?
Congress is, and has always been, interested in the welfare of the lobbyists, special interest groups, Wall St. "fat-cats," etc. Since when have they ever listened to the American people? I do not believe they have ever listened to the American people. At least not since I've been born.
They are happy in their own isolated little world down in DC. They have forgotten WHO sent them down to Washington in the first place. They are thumbing their noses at the American people and should ALL be put OUT of office next election.
The American people aren't the ones lining their pockets, they aren't the ones contributing to their reelection campaigns, they aren't the ones affiliated with special interests groups and lobbyists, they aren't the ones making pledges that aid in paralyzing government, they aren't the ones with big money...in short, they don't matter. Facts are too easily skewed and the American people can be too easily duped.
Answer: I don't know. Remedy: How about a benevolent monarchy with a constitutional trigger vote if 2/3rds of the PEOPLE decide he's gone to the dark side.
Los Angeles.
I have just one question, If John Beaner forces the united states into a shutdown does this mean that I may deduct the days that I have no service from my income tax for this year?
It's simple Jack; they aren't listening because they care more about themselves, lobbyists, oil/gas companies, and millionaires than they do about the American people and country as a whole. They understand that if they reverse the policies of the last decade their pocketbook will become much smaller. The Republicans hate the President so much and will do anything to get him out of office, including letting our country and economy fall by the side, that I'm not sure there is a way forward. My congressman (Tim Scott, whom I did not vote for) replied to my email for compromise and a balanced approach with a generic, mass produced letter highlighting his views and why he will not change. If they can't take the time to seriously respond to their constituents, what does that say about their ability to lead this country?
TJ – Charleston, SC
Politicians have lied to and cajoled the American public for so long to keep themselves in power. We know it now and the games are over. The pink slips started in November 2010 and will accelerate in 2012. The power has shifted. It's too bad we don't hang horse thieves on the public square anymore.
It's simple Jack, they only listen to their big donors. Their current behavior only shows how little they care about the general public. What is truly amazing is the fact that the Tea Party members roughly 80 of 433 members of Congress can hold the entire country in economic limbo. They represent less than 1/8 of the USA population. Their actions border on treasonous and shows how little they care about others except for their minority of followers.
The Gov't (Tea Party Members) will not listen, period. It is more than economics. Look at there history and when they really become prominant on the political scene (2009). Where were they during the ridiculous spending thoughout the Bush administration. Please, for the sake of the country, stop trying to derail this President at all cost. Is the follow on impact of not raising the debt ceiling to the United States worth it..
Since when has the American Government listened to the people that trusted them and voted them into office. It makes me sick to think that there is nothing I can do or there's nothing the American people can do WHY??.
With a congress such as the current one, I don't think our country could defend itself against an attack by a major power...think of Pearl Harbor! What if our congressmen had signed a pledge written by some whacko swearing not to go to war. We don't have a government! If congress cannot act, I hope the President falls back on his Oath of Office, where he swore to protect America, and invokes the dubious writings of the 14th Amendment to increase the debt ceiling. Congress does not have the right to sabotage our economic system and plunge people into ruin.
Jack,
Very simple–because "the people" are not big corporations or businesses or lobbyists with oodles and oodles of dollars to donate to these politicians' election campaigns. Our voices aren't heard because we the taxpayers don't matter.
But we're also partly to blame. Low voter turn out means politicians get elected by a small group of people who do vote. Most people don't contact their representative, leaving him or her open only to those who line their pockets with money and to lobbyists, who are not afraid to tell politicians how they expect them to vote (since they gave them billions of dollars).
Politicians are owned by big business and corporations. It is their interests whom they represent, not "the people".
Have they ever listened, on anything?
We need a law that states that any member of congress who makes a promise to be elected must keep that promise.
Also we need the 28th amendment: Congress shall make no laws that they are not also required to adhere too, and make that one retrospective.
Jack, I believe it is simply a matter of party policy. The Republicans, especially, still cling to the misconception that the debt crisis can be solved by mainly reducing government spending with no raising of the debt ceiling as well as no tax increases. With this austere policy relying mainly on government spending cutbacks, many in the middle and lower income levels will have to face cutbacks to valuable government services such as drug, medical and unemployment insurance to name a few. The collective effect of this will mean less disposable income for consumer spending and the negative consequences for the overall economy. The Republican method of borrowing money to finance the running of government is what brought on the current situation. Ironically, maybe it's time for Wall Street to bail out the country since it seems to be the only entity making money.
Until the Tea Party gang that has hijacked the once-proud Republican party is sent back to the sand box in the 2012 election, clear-thinking Americans, including the few reasonable Republicans left in the House and Senate, will have little input in the government. This small group of unreasonable my-way-or-the-highway jerks, care little about the financial health of the country and they are finishing the ride "over the cliff" that was started by George Bush. All you Independents who voted these people In – how's that working out for you?
Why won't President Obama and the Democrats listen to me? I sent emails to my congressman and senators and told them I support spending cuts and no tax increases. Notwithstanding what the president said, more than half of the voters agree with me. Why won't he listen to us?
Judith Bird
Lakehiills, TX
Very simple, politicians including the great obama won't listen to the american people because they have been bought by wall street, big banks and big corporations. Politicians talk but do nothing for main street. More job killing trade deals with s.korea, and columbia are coming soon thanks to obama.
If the debt question is not solved in time, the first place the govt
could save cash is stopping all the pay and benefits to the mebers of congress. What a useless expenditure of cash. I'm a retired vet. Let them see what is like...
Jack,
Why listen to us dummies, we voted the Obama in, they know how stuped we tend to be!!
Jim
Because the tea party has hijacked the Democratic process. A lot of Republicans have signed a pledge of no tax hikes with a special interest group and any tax legislation must originate in the House of Representatives where the Republicans have a majority so that tool for compromise is out. The tea party faction in the House insists that they have a mandate (even though they only represent a small portion of the electorate) to drastically reduce spending and balance the budget and they see the Debt Ceiling as an opportunity to force their ideas on the entire congress so that tool for compromise is out. This leaves the Democrats with no choice but to let the Republicans who are under the thumb of the tea party have their way or to stand firm on protecting the programs that help the poor and disabled. No one has any wiggle room.
Unless something is going on behind the scenes that we don't know about, the republicans have the president over a barrel and they plan to make the most of the advantage they have. I think the talking heads are right Jack–the dems can't surrender at this point. The republicans don't need them to. They (the republicans) plan to take it all, and to hell with the public and whatever we think.
After listening to Obama and then Boehner, I think Obama heard us loud and clear. Raise the debt ceiling and continue working on reductions. This bickering has been going on since Obama took office. The two parties are never going to agree on anything. Its time the American people vote for a new party of independents to get something done in Washington. The only time these politicians listen to us is when they want to get elected. Once in office they become deaf. Election time is coming and the party of no, out you will go!
Obama will only listen to the American people when it affects his campaign re-election for 2012. He does not care about us...its all about him. Selfish politician!!!!!
Listen to the American people? Are you kidding? Our central government does not give a damn about the American people until election time and then the politicians spend more time complaining about their opponents than they do talking about themselves. If the American people want a voice in their government again, they need to stop voting for incumbents period. Our current politicians need to be drop-kicked before they ruin our country.
When you put children in elected office like congress, you get what you pay for and they act like children all the time. time to retire them and put adults in office. we need a balance of expense cuts plus raise revenue in a equal fashion. this is a no brainier. with all the tax cuts, we should not be in this situation but all we did is put money in the pockets of the rich while the middle class grows richer . fellow independent voter have to take the blame because they believed the bill of goods that the republicans and their tea party sold them so they voted and we must pay the price.
Because the American people aren't saying anything , Jack. The only message that we give politicians is to cut the someone else' government program and not ours. Then we change the channel back to Keeping up with the Kardashians.
I took some time out of my day to call my representatives in Washington. Unfortunely, I'm from Kansas so I have to deal with all Republicans. I let each of them know that I am thoroughly disgusted with them and their stance on the debt ceiling. I asked why are they asking the poor, lower middle class, middle class and senior citizens to shoulder the responsibilty of reducing the nation's debt? Why are we letting the Republicans off the hook by not even demanding tax increases for the fat, wealthy millionaries and billionaires? There is no way in hell this shouldn't be in the deal! And yes, I blame the Obama adminstration and Congressional democrats for letting the Repubs off the hook on this. If you are too timid and afraid to get in their face, then call me, I WILL!!!
Jack, Probably because it would mean their loosing their pork-barrel projects, having to say no to their big-buck backers, and risk not being re-elected. The sky is a very different color on the planet they're on, and the "little people" who dwell there will do as they're told, not the other way around. Layne A. Antioch, Il.
The GOP want the current person in the White House to be one term and have been working toward that end.
Hi Jack,
In answer to that question. They know from our history, that no matter what they do they have a 99% chance of getting re-elected. So of course the main fault falls on the voters who keep re-electing these parasites. The reason congress needs to run for office every 2 years is because our forefathers gave us an out. Unfortunetly the voters don't take advantage of this out.
Jack
Dunlap, Tennessee
Representatives have to answer to their party first and the people last.
I suggest that a facebook page be created where people vote for the top 10 obstructive congressmen that must be voted out in the next election. Whoever the top 10 in each party are on election day they must be defeated. It is not the party base that will complete the task rather it will be the independents.
If that were to take place there would be no net gains by either party but I suspect they will finally begin to listen to the people
They don't listen to the people because most of them are owned by special interests, big corporations and the wealthy. Their first priority is to be re-elected and secondly to get rich. What they count on is business as usual and no voter backlash. BIG MISTAKE THIS TIME! I've never seen the American people as disgusted and sick of the politicians in washington, particularily with the Republicans, who are holding the government hostage again to get their way just as they did with the extension of unemployment benefits to get their rich friends continued tax cuts. I believe that people are mad as Hell and I think we vote them out in 2012. they'll have to get a real job at a real wage.
Lets hope that those that are displeased with the dysfunction in Washington, primarily the Party of NO, will remember this debacle next November and replace those that don't want to cooperate at any cost with more cooperative representation. Of course that is if there is anything left here but a third world country with fist fights in the congressional halls.
The question should be...Why won't the Tea Party/Radical Republicans listen to the American people instead of listening to each other. They came in with an agenda which is not good for the American people, but it is good for their wealthy corporate donors, and Grover along with Rush, the unelected masters of the right. If we have any chance to get our Country back we have to vote these people out.
Frances
Because those Republican members in the Congress are listening to the Tea Party agitators!
They are, the American lobbyists', American billionaires, American millionaires, American (multi-national) corporations, and anyone else offering hundreds of millions of dollars for their re-election campaigns. The rest of us suckers are left to pay the bills (taxes), for this puppet show being put on by the government.
Come on Jack... can you give me an example of government listening to "the people" on any tough issues? The government communication pipe is loaded with one-way, check valves.
Republicans do listen to Americans. That is, "REAL" Americans, you know… those who blindly follow their ideology. Sadly they appear deaf to the majority of Americans. Most Americans want compromise, we want a balanced approach to fixing the deficit and reducing the nations debt.
The repubs don't worry about what we think because they figure they can lie and manipulate there way through the election as they have in the past. They calculate enough low information voters will believe their propaganda. The Dems don't want to reward Repub hostage taking anymore than they already have.
Come on Jack, why listen to the people when they aren't the ones you work for. We send them there with the expectation they will work for us, but most of us don't have the money to pay their listening fee. The lobbyists have them bought and paid for. What would you rather hear, Please help us, or , Here's your check for the next vote.? I won't vote for you, or , If you don't vote for us your bonus bundles will stop. Remember Jack, the SCOTUS made corporations the new super constituents. Can they hear us now? Will they ever hear us again? We need to shout loudly, TERM LIMITS NOW!! We have been pleading for a jobs program, and all they hear is "we will pay you to help keep your job and vote our way".
because their are too many both Democrate and Republican "safe seats" in Congress, Jack.
there are NO real political consequences for BOTH Liberal and "Tea Party" conservatives. they play to the "base" in their gerrymandered districts at the expense of common sense. throw in the flood of money from special interest groups protecting their own "sacred cows" and you have a totally disfunctional govenment.
Jack, they listen, to the extremists, to the big business folks and to the unions. They do not listen to the majority, yet we keep putting back in office, why, because they listen to the ones who pay their campaign bills that get suckers like us to vote them back in.
Politicians listen only so they can make promises to get reelected and then do whatever they want once they are. Social media are doing a good job of showing the people what a bunch of chuckleheads we've elected.
We're not lining their pockets. Most of us want what's best for the country not what makes the most money for big business. As the Koch brothers say, so shall they do.
Forgot the address:
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Congress is so afraid of losing their corporate contributions they stopped listening to the people. I hope they're listening to this. If the Congress can't get their act together, the president has the option to get with the Supreme Count and invoke the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, section 4, 1st paragraph . "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned." Come on Mr. President, invoke the law of the land and keep the US from going into default.
Jack, why aren't people calling these freshmen Republicans for what they are...Fascists! Pure and simple. Their "my way or the highway" stance indicates they just do not have the demeanor nor the education to hold public office. They obviously have not studied history nor economics and most certainly, they have never studied civics.
If the government listened to the people we would'nt have Obama care 2008 was the year the circus came to town and stayed with Obozo as ring leader you people voted him in now vote him out .
The government never listens to the American people in the first place. What makes you think they're going to start now?
They'll soon be listening to God, Jack. Do you think he's going to stand
by and let the republicans get away with ruining this country?
The government is listening to the people, by way of elected representatives. The problem is that the people and their representatives have legitimate disagreements and a president who has only divided both the people and their reps by his actions (Obamacare, gay rights, handouts, taxes, etc). President Obama is so inexperienced and biased he has trouble leading the country. He has really done nothing good (or wanted) by the country. The country should have voted for a president instead of against an outgoing president. MaCain would have benn better.
I would like to remember an instance wherein the government of the United States ever listened to the people of the United States. But, Jack, I am only 75 and can't remember that far back.
\The people are told what the government wants them to hear or what Murdoch and that crowd want them to hear. The people have no access to the truth, and consequently have no basis to form a legitimate opinion about anything. We the people are nowadays the product of propaganda and advertisement and should NOT be listened to in any event.
The old saws about COMPROMISE and the old saw about GROWTH have been pounded into we the people incessantly for generations. What we need is a good healty dose of openness, truth, and apolitical appraisal of events in order to speak as a people.
Jack, my good old friend, we ain't gonna get any of that from DC. Nor are we the people going to have a say in what type of government we have, nor what kind of economy we are going to have.
Yours 'til the revolution, Jack. Take care.
Quite simple. The government thinks the American people are stupid and worthless. They will listen to us though election time!
Rudy
Roanoke, VA
Let's face what no one has the nerve to say. It's the Tea Party reps in Congress that are holding America, the GOP and Beehner hostage.
Since when do Congressmen pledge allegience to an outside entity (foundation) and NOT pledge allegience to our country and its president.. Talk about being un-American!. Our congress in the past 10 years has allowed the gutting of the American worker by outsourcing jobs overseas. Down goes tax revenue. They've allowed the banking system and wall street to scam Americans both on the housing front and investing front. Down goes retirement and tax revenue. When 47% of Americans pay no taxes there is something dreadfully wrong and no one in Congress has the guts to undo the Bush tax cuts! It's not tax cuts for the rich that creates jobs – It's giving tax credits to our corporations to bring jobs back to this country. Up goes tax revenue! We need tax reform and spending cuts where necessary and leave social security and medicare alone. Removing the cap on social security for employees (who collect forever) and leave the employer's cap alone – social security and medicare will be saved. Wake up America – go vote these un-Americans out of Congress!
Jack,
Why would they? They are paid and financed by the few very rich and they do what they are paid to do.
They have tunnel vision and unable to listen nor act on what the people want. Jack, Im sure you can solve this crisis my having a recall on Congress since their unable to fix this crisis.
It's simple Mr. Cafferty. They are trying to keep their cushy jobs, with lifetime pensions, lifetime gold-plated healthcare, chauffered vehicles, etc.
Term limits is the only thing that will save us; and good luck with that because the same people that put us in this mess to keep their jobs aren't bloody likely to vote for term limits, now are they?
They'll only listen to the people:
1) who line their pockets
2) whose ridiculous pledge they signed
Basically, Congress, made up of arrogant, self-serving people who only care about getting reelected has become dysfunctional! Obama continues his condescending rhetoric, despite his campaign slogans of "We can do it." Show me a promise that he has kept! He hasn't shown a bit of leadership and I can hardly wait to vote him OUT!
Both partys and the white house could care less about the american people. there fose is on scaring people into the doom day of 8/2/11.
It would be some thing to see what payments are made and to whom they are made. we can pay 80% of our payments with out a deal who would Obama pay?
A recession is exactly the wrong environment for a progressive liberal President who would paint a whole new world with boocoo bucks.
Our President had scant revenue upon his arrival, nevertheless he has borrowed and spent money like it's going out of style. 30% of the total US National Debt accumulated since George Washington is on this President, and he's done it in 2.5 years. I pity him.
Gravy Train is over. All Americans get out and push, We all go down together, nobody spared
Because they have their heads buried in the sand like this: Rep Jim Jordon( ex wrestler) of Ohio said he is willing to go down with the Cut,Cap and Balance ship–cute !He absoutely cares nothing about this country- He has his own agenda–this ex-wrestler was reported saying,"You pin your opponent whenever possible." "We want to get our win now." He doesn't care if the country defaults or not! What kind of American is this ? This is all a game to him-compromise is not in the rules of his game so why should someone like this listen to the people he represents ?He should be reminded that once elected , he represents everyone in his district–not just the ones who voted for him.
They have been bought and paid for by the elite corporations of the world–the US Supreme Court judges should be ASHAMED of their ruling to grant corporations "person" status!
I contacted my representatives from Colorado and asked them to introduce legislation stating that if the US defaults now or ever in the future, the first public employees who WILL NOT receive a pay check are the members of Congress. If they think the government should not raise the debt ceiling without cuts, then CUT THEIR SALARIES! They are not earning it anyways.
Someone out there needs to form a more centrist, political party,with people who have some common sense ideas, with common sense candidates......God this is awful.....These fools are locked into ideology so badly that Congress has become "dysfunction junction"....
They aren't listening to us because we are asking them to do the same thing we – the average American – has been doing for years: cutting costs, deciding which bills HAVE to be paid and what we HAVE to do without. Not a SINGLE politician has brought up pay cuts for themselves, for lessening their demands for funds from us, the taxpaper. We have THREE children working their way through college all on one income. I could be on SS disability but I chose NOT to because I am not doing it on the backs of my fellow Americans despite the fact that I have worked for 35 years and paid my FICA.
Our household does not believe we need to raise the debt ceiling. That would be like us taking a loan to pay our mortgage. It does NOT make ANY fiscal sense what so ever. We HAVE to make the necessary decision to cut spending and live within our means just like every other hard working American does every day.
While we have been following this current crisis because we believe the fate of our wonderful country hangs in the balance, but to be quite honest we're tired of the bickering.
FIX IT!!!
and btw.... I have writtten my elected officials more in the last few weeks than ever in my life!
Thanks Jack!
We cannot believe the immaturity being exhibited by the politicians in Washington on the debt crisis and issues. If these people were executives of a large corporation (heaven forbid) the shareholders would vote them out in the blink of an eye. Talk about showboating!!!
What's different this time? These guys (Senators & Representatives) view their job as staying there first! They believe we'll forget! Will we?
When have they ever?
Congress has not ever listened before, why start now!
Oh, but they are listening. Unfortunately it is selective hearing. When they only listen to the extremists, the rest of us get nothing but lame sound bites and posturing.
Politics, politics, politics. They are simply putting their own self-interest ahead of the countries and the people they have sworn to protect. Sickening. What I wouldn't give to just fire them all right now.
Their campaigns are paid for by their most ardent base and their corporate owners. By the time the country crashes and burns they will be dead and someone else will be trying to get elected.
Congress will not listen to the American people because they listen to the Lobbyists. GET RID OF THE LOBBYISTS!
Who are these so called "American people" are these the same folks that voted in the tea party crazies en masse into the house of Rep.
Simple, they don't care about anyone but themselves and those that donated lots of money. If you are a regular middle class person, you and I mean NOTHING to the clowns in DC.
That's easy. The Republican's #1 interest is to get Obama out of office. If the economy is a disaster, and voters blame him, they win. They would rather bankrupt the country than give Obama a win. Shame on them.
The American people are not represented in Washington. The lobbyists are. We only PUT them in office. Special interests actually run this country through them. They're all puppets.
Very simple answer! The Republican Party is owned by big business who refuses to do it's part in aiding this country's economic recovery.
I think they are listening–they are just holding out for the "win.". I do NOT feel they know how angry the are making us. I can only vote once, but be sure that I will push my college-age kid to get to the polls.
Because they have nothing to lose, personally. Freeze all of Congress' wages if they don't come up with a plan. They need to hurt too.
The American Government won't listen to the people because they think that we don't know what is going on, but it's very clear that the American People know what they want. Americans vote for their leaders to represent them and well they aren't doing that too well. Also big corporations and the rich Americans buy our government. It's time for a change.
Some politicians are listening but only to the loud ones, not the smart ones. Where did these people study economics – at KMart?
Well, I've figured out what the T.E.A. stands for – Total Economic Anarchy.
Its simple: the "American people" aren't the ones that donate the big bucks to their campaigns. Rather, its the corporations and the silly-rich and those are the very people that don't mind throwing America under the bus in order to protect their low-tax rates.
It's plain and simple. Government assumes that the people who elected them don't understand the situation, and at times they're right. Many Americans keep assuming that the President is the one spending money that got us here, but Congress is the one that spends the money through appropriation bills. Congress could simply disapprove of any Presidential plan, but they instead approved Obama AND Bush spending and wars, and now look where we are. Spending money on an abstract, ideological war that will never end.
Jack
The folks that sign a pledge to do something before they understand the consequences remind me of the people that say "don't worry, i will respect you in the morning"
Regards
Luis
As I understand the Constitution, being a member of the House or Senate was never intended to be a career yet we have 535 careers being protected. No one is willing to make the tough decisions because it may cost them their job. Can you say "term limits"?
Politicians are only loyal to their own pockets and poitical affiliations.
hey Jack! they don't care about the average American. they'll continue to ride around in their tax payer paid limo. and talk on tax payer paid cell phones and wear tax payer paid for top of the line fashions. they'll get paid whether they vote on the debt ceiling or not. what motivation do they have to care one iota what we think??
The government won't listen to the American people because we don't have the governments best interests in mind. They're just trying to fulfill their own political agenda....
Dear Jack:
Isn't it about time our leaders stopped placing the fear factor in our faces, come out with the truth and give the American People their well earned rights, instead of threatening us constantly.
None of the politicians are completely right & never will be; can they answer why there is always money for wars & not for feeding people where ever we look on this planet?
If all the people had the money our liders have we wouldn't have to worry, but since we don't, it's easy for them to turn the other cheek until we become a third world country.
The government does not listen to the people because the people do not own the government.
The government is owned by rich, powerful individuals and rich, powerful corporations.
The government if influenced by lobbyists who are owned by the above categories.
The people have nothing to say about anything. They vote from time to time. It makes no difference who they vote for. All politicians are bought and paid for by the owners.
A bill would have been passed already if the tea partiers weren't elected. Talk about extremist – they have stalemated all efforts, and apparently the speaker of the House let them know it today. They should all be voted out of office because of it.
Good question...in fact, with the advent of the internet, we should abolish Congress altogether and establish a national vote for all governmental matters. Keep the Senate to present bills to the American public and have the American public vote on them. Saves us a ton of money and we can get government working for the people again.
They only listen to the voices in their pockets ( read special interest lobbyist ). I am a poor working American, I only ante up all the money to be squandered in the game
Listen? Please – they "hear" but it's all about the next election – thus they do not listen.
Because they know better than the American people what the country needs. Right. Actually, they are spoiled children who were never taught to make nice.
Oh Jack you really mean why aren't they listening to the American people who are not million and billionaires that's what I thought you meant to say because the millionaires and billionaires got them all with their balls in the sling
There are many reasons, but one is because they think the American people are stupid (and maybe we are for electing them, but....). I've heard several speeches saying "people don't understand what this means......" Yes, we do. It's not all that hard. Give me a red pen, I'll find some budget cuts......and they won't threaten poor old Grandma's Social Security, which is always the first thing we hear any time there is a budget debate.
They are. The "American People" elected a Republican majority to the House last election, with a mandate to get the out-of-control spending under control. The President and the Senate do not seem to have heard that message yet. They are the one's that seem deaf to me.
When it comes to the debt ceiling crisis, why won't the government listen to the American people? Because Mr. Cafferty, only those people being of voting age and fit enough to rise to their feet are only required on election day.
Our leaders don't listen to the people because they are too busy marking their territory and dividing power
In the end, they are greedy and mostly concerned about lining their pockets
Oh, they will hear us loud and clear when they come up for re-election. We need some "common folk" to replace them. Educated morons have gotten us nowhere!
Our government has become a stumbling block for the American people. In fact, I hate to hear any House or Senate Member use the phrase, "in the interest of the American people." They're only interested in getting themselves re-elected. I hope that every member of our current congress, Democrat, Old Republican, Tea-Party Republican – the whole lot – loses re-election. With an entire body of inexperienced lawmakers, we couldn't do any worse than what we have with these clods.
I think that officials have forgotton who they serve in Washington. For so many years we have watched them bicker amongst each other for little things and now at the end when the most important crisis that is upon our country is here, they still think they can get their way and maybe help out the country. Your right, 2012 is coming and we will decide if they stay or go. I'm tired of seeing idiots in Washington who refuse to do as we ask them to and instead work on their own agendas, God help us if we don't solve this problem.
It's simple Jack, These Idiots have an ego thats bigger than the white house it's self. Im going to laugh if these idiots don't get reelected in 2012. Sides, the debt sky-rocetted when bush was president, (of course congress forgets to menction this).
Mathew P
Cape coral, FL
The reason Congress is not listening to the American people because the Congress (Tea Party Republicans in particular) are hearing to their own rhetoric from the 2010 election.
They don't care about anything other than party interests, bowing to
lobbyists and special interests and getting reelected. It's gotten
to the point where the interest of the country and what the
American people want has become a low priority. As has
been said numerous times this past week of so......
THE WHOLE THING IS A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT!!!!!
Washington leaders, are you listening? If a compromise cannot be reached before the Debt ceiling deadline, ALL of you did not do your jobs and WILL NOTT w ag and wydftedd'
Congress will not listen to the American people because they only listen to their lobbyist and their own future. Want to cut spending? Stop the pay to congress. Stop their life-long pensions for a few years. And stop sending moeny to other countries.
Tell Obama to use the 14th amendment – that will knock the socks off of congress I am sick to death of Washington and their budget/debt ceiling/budget stupidity. I votre and I will encourage many others to vote them out.
We have the best Congress that money can buy. The only problem is that they'll only obey the entities that bought them and not the citizens who've elected them. Time for term limits!
Jack the government only has one need from the American people and that is the vote that got them elected. Everything after that is a minor inconvenience to them.
Obviously the gov't has forgotten, "for the people, of thepeople, by the people" We should scrap them ALL and start over. Maybe the bunch will listen to the voters next time. we can't allow our country to go down the tube because juvenile politicians are more interested in their "power base" than the future of the USA
Those in the government are too busy worrying about staying in office and signing "Marriage Pledges" to be concerned with what the people who elected them in the first place want. It's no longer important for them to represent the average American, now it's all about supporting special interest lobbyists and maintaining the status-quo.
Washington could care less about the American people–they have NEVER listened to us. It is the Good Ole Boys Club at best. The high school Debate Club–they yap all day and go home and laugh about it all night. The middle class back is literally breaking paying for this country. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. EVERYONE in Washington needs to go home and work like I do for a living –instead of getting paid my hard earned tax $$ to sit and blow smoke on TV all day long. Stop taking care of other countries and TAKE CARE OF AMERICA. STOP making laws and rules to protect the rich and leave the middle class to pay for it. They all disgust me.
you ask why because their in the pockets of special interest and not the people
Jack – Washington doesn't need to listen.... congress receives a pension for life regardless if they do a bad job so they do not need to worry about social security; doesn't matter if they cut Medicare because they have a private insurance plan – guaranteed that is much richer than medicare. Look at the quality of Congressman and women – scary. but what is scarier is the next wave of politicians.
Jack,
Where have you been? Washington has never cared what the people want or need. The Republicans have never created or passed a plan to help it's citizens. They are all cowering to the 'tea party' which is of course financed by big business.
P.S. Jack, Obama is not suppose to come up with a plan. It's the house that is suppose to do this. Reagan, Bush, Clinton never came up with any plan on paper. It's unconstitutional.
They don't listen because they never have. Less than half the eligible voters in this country actually vote. One group of people have been running our government too long, the special interest groups and lobbyests. The republicans won't give on raising taxes or closing loop holes for the rich. The democrates won't give and allow the cutting of the throats of the middle class and bleeding us to death. Maybe its time Americans wake up and actually VOTE and get their voices heard
It's unfortunate but they don't listen because they already have their own plans before they are even placed in office! Plus the elect also get 'pressured' by others to do what they want in exchange for something else the other may want later on. A bigger ticket if you like! It's the unspoken promise of the elect! Just compromise already and get on with it!
Jack,
Did the government listen to the American people when they passed health care? Did the media care then?
'cause the American people don't vote! When there's only 20% turn out in primaries, that's how you get extremes on the left and right running in the general election and that's why we're in this mess now.
IL
Simple. They have yet to suffer any real repercussions from not doing so, believing they'll have enough time to smooth any ruffled feather before the next election. Clearly Congressional opinion polls haven't phased them.
The government, including all three diseased branches, has its own agenda. The two branches that aren’t appointed for life have only one goal in mind and that is to get reelected. Rather than doing the people’s business they do their own and spend millions convincing the legion of low information voters, i.e. their base, that they are working in their best interests. The rest of us are hostage to this situation.
At this point maybe we should default, we and our lousy leaders deserve what would follow.
it's not the government,it's the republican who only care the greed of rich people and big corporations. if this goes bad the american people need to make sure the republican party pays dearly.
Simple answer: ordinary American citizens cannot fork over millions of dollars in campaign contributions! Money Talks, we walk, straight off the economic cliff!
Jack,
"Money talks and...", you know the rest. Our government is 'owned' by Wall Street and Mult-National Corporations. Their voice is louder than ours and we cannot be heard, that is why they don't listen to us.
The average person is SOL.
)K – Lets try JUST dealing with the debt cieling. All of the other mess has to be delt with but it seems that congress just can't walk and chew gum at the same time. Agree to raise the dept cieling and to get to work on spending and taxes after "WE THE PEOPLE" are out of danger of default. Don't set it up so that we have to do this again in less than 18 months or so.
Because the Republican Tea Party members have Pledged allegiance to Grover Norquist, Mark Meckler (Co founder of the Tea Party) and Rush Limbough. None of which are elected officials. So, how can they listen to the American people. The Republicans and the congress have to listen to their Right Wing Tea Party leaders.
Because its about them and not U.S.....there are no poor senetors or congressman.
Jack, This is a really silly question! THEY ARE LISTENING!!! All of them are listening to one group of ideologues or the other. And ALL of them are being told that if they don't get the exact agenda the group demands, they will not be re-elected! The stupid people who are demanding that their agenda be carried out in toto are the problem.
We have met the enemy & he is us. SHUT up and let them work out something reasonable for all. GEEZ!!!
Jack- Most of the congressmen in Washington want compromise BUT a small group of "Tea Party" Republicans are refusing to compromise at all! They keep saying they represent the American people's demands! What a joke! It's just a "my way or the highway" attitude of narrow minded people.
It bowls down to greed. The Republican party represents the interests of the 2% of Americans who control 40% of the country's assets. They apparently would rather sink the economy than to forfeit their tax loopholes, believing that they are in a better position to weather the financial storm than the other 98%. They insist on paying down the deficit with savings realized from the programs that benefit the middle class and poor. It is a metaphor for the fable of the scorpion who fatally stung the frog that was carring him across the river. When asked "Why would you do that? You've killed us both!" the scorpion replied, "I can't help it – it's in my nature".
Honestly Jack, do you think a bunch of political elitists with full pockets really care what the American people want. It's all about power and making the other guy look bad, and for what? They are all a bunch of idiots and should be outsted from Washington in the next election. Not that I'm sure there is anyone else with the money to run against them. It's all about money, not what's good for America. Where is our Robinhood?
Carol
I'd say you have to get out of denial to be in touch with what your constuents are saying-perhaps if (or when) the Federal government has to ration who gets paid when there is no increase in the debt ceiling, we should stop paying Congress wages, health benefits, expenses reports or any payments of any kind to the Congress-not one red cent-when they suffer from financial stress like so many "ordinary Americans", they may start to get it
Congress is operating under the delusion that Americans voted FOR them, and their beliefs. The reality is that the American public votes the incumbents OUT every 2-6 years, hoping that the next group will do something, anything to fix our great nation. We are not necessarily voting for a new set of Representatives, but really getting rid of those who have failed to act. The "kick the can down the road" attitude, all the rage in Washington, infuriates the average American, especially at this time when a compromise solution is so critically needed, and so baltantly obvious to everyone.
Why should they listen, Jack? They know that most of them will be re elected no matter what. Is a Democrat angry at his or her representative going to vote Republican to throw them out, and vice versa? Perhaps this time will be different. There may well be a bunch of angry moderates out there ready to throw the Tea Party and moveon lunatics out on their... er, ear.
Why won't Congress listen to the people? Because it only listens to the big dollars that brought them to Washington.
They will not listen to rational of the American public, because the Republicans number one priority is to defeat Obama in 2012. The left wing of the Democratic Party is too beholden to the Unions and AARP, and they are all worried about their reelection.
Why listen to the American people when it is much more profitable for a legislator to listen to the plutocrats and lobbyists who keep cramming money into their pockets? Its a no-brainer, just follow the money.
Because they are too busy telling we, the American people, what we want. You can't listen if you never stop talking.
The reason they are not listening is because they only have to hear the voices of those few special interest groups who pay and have the money to buy influence. The only way to change things is with term limits in the senate and the house. When you can vote yourself a raise and take care of those who donate the most and not the majority of people why should you change something that is working for you. Its human nature. Term limits will force them to listen to the people and not the special interest groups.
Jack the Tea Party controls the House-Congress-Washington DC-The Country-The World in their minds–and we know that the WASP culture is always right no matter what anyone thinks, does or says.
Thus the debt ceiling now is irrevocably tied to Politics, not economics, finance, the US Credit Ratio, Defaults, Global Commerce. And social security, medicare, medicaid will and are to be cut as well as education–look at Perry in Texas–cut, cut and the kids and seniors have to let the billionaires and trillionaires keep all in bondage.
That said–what one does not mind becomes a store selling grasshoppers, snakes, and witches brew.
Jack, I know why, I write my congress people a lot and from the answers I get back.I evidently am not smart enough to think for myself and I voted for them to think for me.I suppose all in government think this way. Thanks Dave in Wv.
Jack,
WHY WOULD THEY LISTEN TO US, WE VOTED THEM IN,and guess what, we can vote them out.They don't give a s-- what we want or say, we don't count. All I can say is for the Pres. to bring our boys home, end the wars over there, and protect oun own country.We waste Billions over there, and they don't appreciate it. MR. Pres, worry about your own country and kids. After all, charity starts at home. Bye Jack, we love you.
Our government is a disgrace to all of the American people
they are so worried about themselves and don't really care why we sent them to washington. Let's take their salaries away from all
of them including the president until they grow up and realize the American people have had enough. You can bet all of them come
election time may find themselves looking for other work. I would like to see them live off my salary and pay bills.
Thanks for listening !!!
Jack,
I think you hit the nail on the head for the answer to your question: "they have their own agenda". One answer to the problem: go to a fair tax system and cut government by sending IRS employees packing and all the expenses that go with it. There was a topic recently on how few government employees are laid off or fired. Well there is a department to start on.
Same as always Jack...Lobbyists and special interest money will continue to own Washington and US interests until we can ban them from the politcal landscape.
Washington leaders, listen! If you can not compromise on a plan to meet the debt ceiling deadline, NONE of you will receive your next pay check because all of you did not do your job!
Whats the point in electing these officals to go to DC to represent the common American citizen only to have those offials follow their own agenda and listen to lobbyist who don't tend to make things any better then they already where. What this country needs is another Teddy Roosevelt to get these policial clowns out of office and get more compitent ones in who can get things done when they need to be done.
Jack, I'll tell you what I told Brady, Cronyn and Hutchison. It's time to stop pandering to the lunatic fringe (i.e. the Tea Party) and start representing your constituents. Compromise is the only way a bill is going to pass, and it can't involve decimating Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security. It's time to get off your ideological high horse and get the job done or you and your party will pay the price at the next election.
Government, all of them, are too busy listening to their campaign contributors/special interest groups. My plan: hold elections for all of Congress and the President this November. Work would be done at blinding speed.
I know too many middle class and low income families (like myself) whose annual tax refunds are always lower than taxes witheld. Translation: We do not pay taxes yet we want to enjoy all these social services. Congress should cut spending and raise taxes on everybody.
Why should they start now? Have you noticed that the "tea party" politicians only spout their nonsense over and over and never stop to listen to anything.....including questions all your reporters are asking? All they do is babble about the cut and crap, I mean cap solution. Thats all they got folks!
Because these clowns don't really work for the American people, especially the Republicans. It's so obvious who they work for. As far as they are concerned this is just an other circus performance to keep Americans on what they are really trying to do. Take more from the normal people just to make the lives of the rich just a little bit cushier by asking nothing from them.
Hi Jack,
The dems are listening but not the Republicans, why are they not listening? They are not listening because they are so hell bent on making President Obama a one term president. So go ahead Republicans keep playing your cat and mouse game. See how far it gets you when it comes time for your re-elections, I will be casting my vote for President Obama again in 2012
The name game is BACKERS. Money talks and they listen. We can't support their campaigns as well as big money. Social Security is supported by us. They shoud not change it or Medicare.
My faith in the political system has finally reached a point where both parties have completely lost control of the situation in Washington and the Tea Party actually looks like they might know what they are talking about.
Hello Jack, the reason the Government will not listen to the American
People, they are still receiving a paycheck. All that needs to happen,
the Controller of the Currency needs to hold the members of congress
pay until a Deal is reached. I live in California, the lawmakers in
Sacramento, CA was at a impasse, the State Controller of the Currency
stopped the paychecks until the lawmakers reach a balanced budget
within hours
Too simple a question. The government only listens to the corporations, because the corporations support their campaigns. End of story.
the government will not listen to the people because they would have to admit to making a mistake and that they're not acting for the people they represent.
The politicians are too focused on their needs and their party lines as
They want to win the battle for their party regardless of the cost. Unfortunately they do not realize they will lose the war as the US is broke. China, India and Russia are itching to remove our dollar from the world bank. If we default on our loans, that will give them reason to kick our dollar out.
from Chicago –
C'mon, Jack... has government ever really listened to the people? But I don;t blame them, I blame us, the people.
We have historically allowed politicians to woo us, buy us candy and take us out on dates while they run for office. Then, once the voting has finished, they get collective amnesia.
And what do we do? Oh, wait, Jack, let me get back to you. The last season of "So You Think You Can Dance" just arrived in the mail...
Simple, they are all criminals. The government is so big now, it has became something different, something self serving and self destructive. They all have personal agendas that over power their loyalty to America. Bipartisanship has divided us terribly, divided and conquered already. We are doomed, I have lost faith in my government.
Very simply, the Dems. are looking for a balanced approached of cuts and revenue. The Rep. are following their agenda of NO! that they have held from day 1 regarding Pres. Obama. Dems have agreed to tax cuts, it appears the only thing holding up some sort of compromise is not having to do this all over again in 6months. All reasonable opinions are leaning toward not having to do this again in 6 months. If the Rep. would agree to this, we might get somewhere. Forget that this would go into election season, the American public does not deserve to have to go through this mess again in 6 months.
Jack,
I can't believe you had to ask that, when you already know the answer.
It's because the politicians listen to the highest bidders. A voice has a greater volume in politics when it's accompanied by large amounts of cash.
Matt
Saint Augustine, FL
The Nutter Congress cann't listen to the American people because the voices in their head drown out the sounds of their constituents. Inb 2010 American's went to the polls is a fit of pique and put in the Nutter Congress. "There, that'll show 'em," said these rightous Americans. How rightous will they feel next week when 1) Mom and Dad' Social Security checks didn't come, 2) oil companys report new record profits, and 3) Boehner baubs his eyes and declares, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!"
Most people seem to forget what happened yesterday, but I believe McConnel from Kentucky made the statement that the Republicans would do anything to make sure President Obama was a one term President so what the American people want and need does not matter.The American people voted for this gridlock last November so they should really quit crying in their beer and sit back and reap the consequences...just dig a little deeper in their pockets for higher everything...
I don't care why or who anymore, it is clear the men and women we sent to Washington can't handle the job. Maybe they didn't read their job descriptions...we hired them and we can fire them. My 2012 vote is already decided.
because the wealthy have their ears. why pay attention to the people when you can have millionaires and billionaires line your pockets? then there are the extremists on the right who wouldn't mind seeing us go off that edge. and the republicans cater to them hand and foot, is it really much of a surprise that we are here?
Well Wall Street sent out a clear message about how the market will react to the U.S. defaulting on its debt. All three markets were down significantly today. We have taken hits to our retirements in 401K's and still Congress is twiddling their thumbs while a crisis is unfolding.
Of course, both sides are waiting for this tense moment so the other side will cave. The Republicans are waiting to destroy the entitlements and the other side is waiting to raise revenues. The Democrats missed their chance last fall to raise revenues when Obama compromised and extended the Bush tax cuts. The Republicans will risk our credit rating and financial standing in an effort to destroy SS and Medicare which are not the 200 pound gorilla in the room that got us in this financial crisis. Obviously, the American public is taking all this much more serious than Congress.
Well the 2012 election is going to be very interesting this time around. Many Republicans didn't vote Republican in the last election. I'm interested now how many will want them in 2012 too finish us off. The tea party is going to be the death of the USA as we older people new it.
The federal government doesn't listen to the American people because the process now belongs to the super rich, lobbyist, and mega corporations.
Americans see the big picture, and the anger continues to mount.
If government doesn't begin to act in the interest of the overall country, we will see more domestic violence as the working class becomes more economically desparate.
Read my lips......."TERM LIMITS"
I, like many Americans, have laughed in the past as fights have broken out on the floor of legislative branches in other countries, like Taiwan, etc. All of a sudden, those legislators don't seem so ridiculous. At least they are resolving problems.
Agendas, Jack? Basically the republicans want to give money to the rich (and create jobs), and the democrats want to give that money to the poor instead (and stimulate spending by the poor). This is more than just bickering and there is true sincerity on both sides. What we need now is not politicians, or voters' angry phonecalls; but rather a group of technocrats who actually understand economics and monetary policy. We need to have a discussion that goes a little deeper and is viewed from academic angle rather than a political one.