Quote:I think a lot of the blame for this lies on the American people.  Americans complain that Congress is awful and give it historically low approval ratings, but they feel their own Congressman or Congresswoman is great.  It is always someone else's fault (and this is true with both political parties, so lets not make this into a list of the other party's faults.)  Politicians respond to the people.  In OK the politicians probably thought about it and said, "we can get more approval points by passing this impeachment petition than actually creating jobs."  Of course, that impeachment petition is easier to do, requires no compromise and can be added to their list of reasons they are a true conservative.  Again, this is a problem with both political parties. Liberals are also finding it easier to do the same thing, just with a different focus.

 

I remember Obama being blasted by liberals for not standing up to coal companies enough. John McCain has been accused of being a RINO because he works across the aisle.  The Tea Party movement of a few years ago swept tons of politicians out of office for compromising.  Lieberman was blasted by Dems for this, Mitch McConnell by the Rep.  Heck, John Boenher, who is far from liberal, would get blasted constantly for even suggesting compromise. Heaven forbid if a Democrat thinks that an oil company should be get any support.  Americans have sent the message that we want our leaders to refuse to compromise.  This has happened before in US History.  Periods of ineffectual legislative sessions.  Hopefully people can come together without needing some tragedy or war to occur first.

Quote:First off, while the Tea Party had some effect, the establishment still controls both houses. The recent budget was not "compromise" in any reach of the meaning of that. It was Obama's budget.


 

Right now the establishment of both parties are the problem. It's the "moderates" that keep voting for corporate welfare. It's the "moderates" that toss billions into wasteful spending on programs that have no effect, and refuse to hold agencies accountable. The 'Pubs talked big and made some grand gestures they knew would fail, but since they won the Senate and actually had the chance to cut spending and move the government towards the right, they have done nothing. The party elites only look out for themselves and their friends. We are subjects of an increasingly more powerful ruling class.