As America’s unemployed wait on the Senate to pass the unemployment extension bill, some Americans are voicing their opinion that the current Party system has failed, and that the incumbents, both Republicans and Democrats, govern only with their own self interest in mind and not that of middle class America.
One reader claims that party members should wear jackets, much like racing pit crews, when sitting in the House or Congress. His logic was that “Every politician should be made to wear a jacket, with his sponsors logo’s plastered all across it. Then you’d have a very good idea as to why they vote the way they do on different bills put before them.”
Another reader from Irvine, California wrote “This is a disgrace, working individuals in Europe are treated with more respect. I use to believe that our nation is superior to others….. We the people, by the people and for the people use to mean something in this once great nation. Now it seems to be more and more about the politicians and their parties positioning in the greater scheme of things. Put down the swords and work together to help the AMERICANS after all that’s what this country was all about to begin with.”
The debate on the unemployment extension legislation had its lighter moments.
Tongue firmly planted in cheek, MH from Pennsylvania penned “I think we would be better off with a king. We would be rid of these self serving bastards in the house and senate,”
While another recalled with nostalgia a past America, where the Government would not have delayed passing the unemployment extension.
“America is not the America if the past. The old America people helped each other, even our politicians. Could you imagine 1940’s and 1950’s Senate members not taking care of business, like an important vote on an important bill, just leaving the American people in the lurch, then go on a July 4th vacation ? The Senate of 2010 is a national disgrace. The difference between politicians of the 1940’s and 1950’s is that the present day “politician’s” hold their allegiance to lobbyists, big business and anybody who will pay to get them re-elected. The present Senate is full of self interest and a real lack of understanding of the American people.”
So has the party system as it currently stands failed its citizens? Does it only act in the interests of those sitting and the lobbyists of corporate America? Has middle class America been forgotten in favor of the rich and powerful?
Tell us your views, as we wait out the countdown for the expected passage of the unemployment extension bill on this coming Monday
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This article about Senators wearing a jacket showing their sponsors hits the nail right on the head. I have been saying for years how people in power use their position to please the people with the money (NOT the people of the country who elected them). I think this country is disgusting as far as that goes.
I agree, the current Senate-all senators-absolutely are guided by their own self-interests.Go to opencongress.org and click on the “money trail” tab.An example: Senator John McCain received money from both the pro-choice and pro-life organizations….hmmm…makes you think why he would take money from both because I am sure he believes in one of those choices. He also took money from the gay & lesbian movement…hmmm…I don’t believe he backs that movement. These politicians will take money from anyone/organization willing to pad their pockets, oh I mean campaign!This America is not the America it was years back. It isn’t that they lack understanding, they just don’t care if it will get in the way of their own self-interests.I’m disgusted & ashamed of them all.
Yes
It’s extreemely evident that they have failed the people and work for their owns special interests and the lobbyists that line their pockets. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be in this position to begin with. The middle class is fading away. People are having to work longer and some will never have a retirement. I believe the more 2nd and 3rd world people we let into this country the more we are becoming so. Our quality of life isn’t getting better it’s getting worse. Americans citizens can’t unite which gives government free reign. We the people need to wake up and not take it anymore.
Has the Party System Failed America?” I could not think of a better title to this article!” I am so disgusted by this Democrate/Republican crap!! I don’t think this is what the founders of our nation had in mind when they started it. I have come to the realization that ‘politicians’ practically NEVER vote by what they believe in or know is right (especially when it comes to the people they represent) and vote according to party lines only. It is really disgusting. I mean if the Republicans wanted to drag someone through the streets and stone them to death on the steps of the capital, I believe all republicans would vote for it without regard to who it was or what they did or if it is right or wrong. Vice versa for a democratic scenario of the same. I watched the HBO series, “John Adams” over the 4th of July weekend and became ashamed of how hard they fought to develop this nation and seeing what it is today. The political system is based solely on money, lobbyists, favors and corruption. What better example is there than how easy it was to vote $700+ billion to big business/Wall St./auto industry and how no one can agree on 30 billion for unemployed AMERICANS! I think we need to hit the “reset” button on the political system in American and start over!!
My unemployment ran out, like many people around America! I can just see the news here in a couple of weeks… “Americans going out of control, because the government let them & their family loose their homes…no food to feed their children!!” Now I UNDERSTAND WHY OTHER COUNTRIES HATE US STUPID AMERICANS!!
Freedom is another word for rich!! Time for change in government leaders altogether. We have witnessed time,and time again senator’s becoming rich on what is supposed to be a 200k a year position. But yet, they live in million dollar homes, own planes, and go on VACATION something everyday Americans are unable to afford.
Time to trash the govt. and go for a benevolent despot ( King ). Maybe a military coup to get to that point. Throw the congress out throw them in jails. The military at least knows the value of our country, as it is mostly made up of middle and lower middle class, who know what its like to struggle for equal rights in this country. God help us I hope it doesn’t come to that, but talk to middle America and everything reflected in their confusion is a result of no cohesion and no mature leadership. Country hates city. City hates country. Rich hate poor. Poor hate rich. Bail out banks but screw the people. Amazing we aren’t shooting each other in the streets.
99ers shouldnt kill them thats not right
It amazes me when our “elected” officials can send all our jobs out of the country, spend trillions helping everyone around the world (not saying that is not important mind you), bail out large corporations and Wall Street, and leave its own people flat out in the cold. Those of you arguing over Democrats or Republicans being right are wrong had better take a reality check. Each side of the aisle is no better than the other. While partisan posturing is taking place, millions are losing their homes and trying to figure out how they will feed their children (HELLO?)
I can’t understand the United States government.They allow various manufacturing companies to take our jobs to Mexico and other countries,then refuse to grant unemployment extensions.This country has thrived off of blue-collar workers for years and now when we need them most,they abandon us.The senators and governors need to spend a few months in our shoes to see what its like to try to pay the rent with no money coming or to feed our kids because they are hungry.It’s a shame to work 15 to 20 yrs.straight and not be able to receive 2 yrs. of unemployment.We’re not lazy,we’re just tryin to survive.
The politicians and the President have lost sight of what has happened, or should I say what is happening in our country. We spend tens-of-millions daily to rebuild other countries, and then forsake the American worker. We are in one of the worse economic times of our lives and with Senatorial and Congressional salaries at $174,00 per year, it is no wonder they cannot relate the the working class.
The number of families that will “go under” in the next several months will be staggering and our leaders will do nothing to save us.
I once believed we were the greatest country on earth, but now I have to doubt that. As I have now gone through 16 months of being turned down for each and every job I apply for the end is near (bankruptcy) and that saddens me to no end that I have worked for over 40 years to meet this end.
You have let us all down Mr. President.
Throw those criminals out of office. They make the mafia look like kindergartners.
The rich have all the money, so they control the government and media.With control of the media they control the vote. They can sway us to believe the devil is a saint or the answer to reform is give the Fed more power. Private sector unions protected the working man but big business didn’t like that so they hired thugs to crush the unions, when that didn’t work they used the media to convince people unions were greedy not big business. Unions supported the democrats but Clinton passed NAFTA stabbing the unions and working men in the back. Now they have Obama and the once strong public unions are getting the heat. The public unions never helped the private unions in fact hurt them, so its their time to die. Big business used divide and conquer and it worked. Now its employed against unemployed and once the unemployed are slaves it will be time for the slaves to take the employed jobs and there will be no one left to help them. Remember the unemployed were like you once, working and supporting families. And not long ago both groups were against welfare, now the unemployed can see the need for welfare when you can’t feed your family on minimum wage. Soon the employed will see the need for both unemployment insurance and welfare. If unions formed a party for the working man, they could make this country strong and fair again, forget about the democrats, they are the new republicans and the republicans are the new facist. Vote Union and Made in the USA, the only way for the working man to avoid slavery.
I had a sign on the front bumper of my car for many years that read “THIS STATE HAS THE BEST POLITICIANS THAT MONEY CAN BUY”. In November I will vote against the incumbent that is in office at that time, Republican or Democrat. Republicans for voting against the extension and the Democrats for not comprising to use the unused stimulus money for the extension. Both parties are at fault.
“We the people, by the people and for the people use to mean something in this once great nation.”
What it meant was lessons you learned in school. Like George Washington not telling a lie. A quant fairy tale with which to capture childrens interest.
In reality we are all the expendable masses that think we are worth paying a living wage to.
And as the rest of the world profits while America fails the corporations that helped drive our downfall no longer see us as a customer base for consumable goods so to them we are less than worthless. Couldn’t we just be polite and go away and die somewhere? Please?
I have never been more fearful for my countrymen. I want to scream at both parties and tell them their follies affect real people. I have a job but may not tomorrow. Children are going hungry today and trust me our grandkids won’t care about the deficit too much when they find out it fed their grandmother and mom.
Our country is failing us but we still have a voice. It is up to us to use it.
Our congress men and women can spend billions of dollars every month on war, killing thousands of Americans in the process.
They can bailout the Wall Street companies and the banks to a tune of 30 times the amount needed to extend the unemployment program until November.
They can serve just about any one that can serve them.
How on earth could they possibly find time to serve the people who vote for them…until after they come back from vacation?
I could ask the men and women of our congress the following questions:
How many of you somehow profit directly or “indirectly” from the war?
How many of you are now receiving inside information from Wall Street in return for that favor you did them last year?
How many of you got a free house or two out of the housing crash?
How many of you are friends with under 100 lobbyists, all of which persuade you to vote based on what they can offer you personally rather than how you are supposed to vote, which in case you have forgotten, is in the best interest of the people, how many?
How many of you have personally profited from a vote?
How many of you have a free pass wherever you go because of who you are and how you vote?
How many lives have you wrecked because you don’t care about the masses when you vote?
Don’t forget, the majority still rules in this country and the middle class people on down to the bum’s out number you by numbers you don’t want to calculate, although I’m quite sure you have.
So unless you plan on using force, you ought to worry about getting run out of town instead of worrying about whose party is going to gain control of the house and senate.
This two party system is broken.
You the congress men and women should fix it fast before we the people fix it for you.
Over time, the same mentality has been applied to our government and over time it has become a monster
We are slowly migrating towards anarchy and martial law. How long does the congress think an industry such as the communications & electronics field, an industry that relies on other industries, can carry the country?
Until we see real honest, no smoke & mirrors, movement in raw material purchases & shipment’s to the manufacturing industries, we are not leveling off or slowly pulling out of the decline, we are still sinking. Recovery has and will always arrive in the same manner. It will be a slight slow climb,like watching a plant grow, nothing dramatic until the recovery is well established, & that flower has blossomed.
By the way, that’s the only time you can make money without a gamble in the stock market. That small sliver of time when the slow swinging door is suddenly & quickly flung fully open. But by the time the public is aware of the oportunity, the demand exceeding supply, creating the shortages that drive the market up, the smart money is already in place, so when the hoards begin buying, the good stuff is passed. Now your back on the roller coaster waiting for the next sustained economic slide down. By now most of the smart money has been slowly pulled out & put back in the safe, but very little in paper, mostly in metals accruing smart money dividends until it is ready to sell or trade for stockon. By this time these smatrt investors suddenly become a bit above average advisors. Refining thier game with other investors money, analyzing trends for thier refinement towards maximizing thier opportunity on the next recovery cycle. Slow & Steady wins the race, it only takes a slight short efficient burst of speed every 6 or 7 years, & having the balls to throw in everything including the sink, knowing, not thinking, that the deep still pool of resources placed in the race will sprint to victoy then build & stock a connsession stand ready for buisness, before everybody else even knew there was a race scheduled & ran at that time.
Developing the plan is easy, the execution, especially your rookie season, is another story. Wandering away from the pack wthout being pulled back in can take a lot of courage, until your brain finds the heart to pull back the Green curtain and expose the reallity it all.
The American People are finally getting it! Amen
They have turned a deaf ear on ALL Americans. Both parties are morally and ethically bankrupt and they have been allowed to literally bankrupt Americans.
This is their 2nd holiday while not passing an unemployment extension. In August, they go again. They make $174,000 and the unemployed and underemployed are thrown under the bus time and time again.
Yes the party has failed. It is time for the american people to take a vacation. Take Friday and Monday off, you will, assuming you’re working, will only loose one day of pay out of two pay periods, but the effect on the country will be pronounced. Spend the day calling congressmen, ALL OF THEM, spend the day writing emails to the house of representatives; spend the day with you’re children. Do not spend the day being a productive wroker drone. The trickle down effect will be felt first in government then in the private sector. Don’t spend any money on those two days. Don’t utilize public/private transportation. Go to the park, go to the zoo, enjoy you’re day and don’t worry about the country. They are sure not worried about you. Start researching congressional replacements and find the people you want to give a chance at the helm with. WE CAN HURT THEM MORE THEN THEY CAN HURT US!
The DSM-IV list nine characteristics, of which five are necessary, that would qualify a person to earn the label of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. They are as follows:
1. Grandiose Sense of Self-Importance.
2. Preoccupation With Fantasies of Ultimate Attainment.
3. Belief That He Should Associate Only With Others Who Are “Special”.
4. Requirement for Excessive Admiration.
5. Sense of Entitlement.
6. Exploitation of Others.
7. Lack of Empathy.
8. Enviousness.
9. Arrogant Behavior and Attitudes.
I don’t believe that the American people purposely elects these personalities. I don’t believe that people get into politics because they have these characteristics. I believe our two party system, and the perks of congress, create this situational effect in those elected, and they become of product of the system that currently governs our nation. So is the system broken? Absolutely.
This unemployment debate is the most obvious example of the unfortunate nature of this situation.
Repubs have become, out of collective self interest of their party, complete obstructionist concerning any legislation created by the majority party. They make every decision and hold near unbreakable party lines with the sole purpose of regaining control of government. They obviously have no problem spending money, reflect on the Bush Administration, their concern is they can spend it in ways that benefit their corporate interest and lobbies that will in turn benefit each individual republican congressman.
Democrat’s are no better. While I agree with their moral positions regarding the use of federal funds, typically to help Americans who are in need, they are incompetent when it comes to getting anything accomplished. They didn’t win control of government following the Bush Administration. They were the lessor of two evils.
What our two party system creates is a party of the majority, and a party the works for the majority of the money. Unfortunately neither party does much for the people. The majority that despise the rich either does not have the means or are not willing to make the small investment in the democrats so the republicans will always win. Even when all they can do is filibuster everything, they still when. They will ride this out and take control back and spend, spend, spend, drill, drill, drill, money, money, money.
Within this two party system nothing will ever change, because their are no better options. Every election is the lessor of two evils and we simply trade power back and forth halting any potential progress. A vicious cycle that needs a major blow to the head that would bring this country back to one that is again moving forward, instead or going in circles.