tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226605107278385473.post3434171923351419351..comments2023-10-30T04:54:07.159-04:00Comments on 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE: Newt the RINODChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835607180418553607noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226605107278385473.post-60768240119937522672009-10-30T20:22:03.423-04:002009-10-30T20:22:03.423-04:00You make an excellent point about what we – the ta...You make an excellent point about what we – the taxpayers – are paying for. I too grew up in an era pre-CNN (or any 24 hrs new channel) where short sound bites didn’t rule. Everything wasn’t so black & white on either side. <br /><br />I think the problem is 1) there is more ‘direct’ money and power to be gained by supporting special interests (and by special interests, unfortunately that now includes political parties) and 2) the current polarized environment encourages simplistic labeling of people based on a few issues and the saddest thing is that this wide brush-way of labeling by association WORKS in gaining votes. <br /><br />I share your wish but don’t see it getting better either.mstevennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226605107278385473.post-80041991225991104102009-10-30T17:51:26.101-04:002009-10-30T17:51:26.101-04:00I find it interesting when voters expect represent...I find it interesting when voters expect representatives and senators to vote solely along party line, and if they don’t, they are simply a RINO or DINO. I personally remember growing up in an era which considered political ideology as either liberal or conservative based on spending and government programs but with the infiltration of the conservative and liberal moral standard, the divide will not be cleaned up in the foreseeable future. <br /><br />I wish more reps and senators would vote independently and not just follow leadership blindly. I mean are we paying them to simply follow the crowd, or are we paying them to try and find consensus and some middle-ground?Caseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226605107278385473.post-84541506346680674782009-10-30T12:32:41.675-04:002009-10-30T12:32:41.675-04:00Good to read your postings.
Do you hate the ‘INO...Good to read your postings. <br /><br />Do you hate the ‘INO’ (In Name Only) as much as I? In other words, there is now a litmus test for the labels ‘Republican/Conservative’ and ‘Democrat/Liberal’. It’s one of the reasons I would at least like to see a dent in the two-party system as it is now. I recall when Joe Lieberman lost the Democratic Primary in CT then won re-election as an Independent and some people were upset that he took an end around the system to keep his seat. I’ll agree he did but am glad. He seems to put country ahead of political party and doesn’t fit in with the current fraternity-like culture in Washington. And now anyone who does not meet 100% of the litmus test is unworthy of the label. You have to be like Joe Wilson or Alan Grayson to be worthy. As far as pundits, it’s Glenn Beck or Keith Olbermann, Michelle Malkin or Maureen Dowd. <br /><br />Bill Clinton was often called a DINO by liberals. I’ve even read some Dems/Liberals complain that Obama is a DINO – he hasn’t pulled out all our foreign troops, he didn’t name Dennis Kucinich Sec of Defense, etc. And now, you are not allowed to run as a Republican unless you meet all the criteria on social policy and support ‘the right people’.<br /><br />And the voters nod in agreement.<br /><br />How unfortunate (an understatement)mstevennoreply@blogger.com