Lame Duck Shenanigans
Remember the old saying that, “It ain’t over ‘till the fat lady sings.” Well, Congressional Democrats can hear that famous operatic screamer warming up backstage, but still they press on with the certitude of lemmings. The Wall Street Journal’s John Fund discusses the party of government’s agenda after November. You see, they know an electoral tsunami is coming their way. They also know they have a few months after the election, during the “lame duck” session that takes place before new members are sworn in, to pass the most extreme components of their agenda and essentially give the finger to the American people on their way out the door.
What sort of agenda items, you ask? Ratification of the New Start nuclear treaty, which advances the cause of American vulnerability. How about a budget resolution that “locks in” increases in government spending? Senator Tom Harkin says that, “To those who [card check] is dead, I say think again.” And let’s not forget the pigs at the trough. One Senate aide said, “Some of the biggest porkers on both sides of the aisle are leaving office this year, and a lame-duck session would be their last hurrah for spending.”
Adding that, “It's been almost 30 years since anything remotely contentious was handled in a lame-duck session,” Fund goes on to caution that this time could be very different. These bitter politicians, clinging to their earmarks and their perks, have just as much loyalty to their constituents as they do to the Constitution itself. To the Ricochet family, a question: Assuming Mr. Fund is right, what, if anything, can be done about this? Is there a remedy?
- Comment (7)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments :
May '10
Re: Lame Duck Shenanigans
Thank God for Scott Brown! It seems fair to doubt he'll be voting with Democrats much between November and January - especially if they continue to tilt a hand full of far-left cards. Senator Brown will have both political and principle motivations to avoid being a lame duck crutch, if conservative candidates gain the ground we're hoping for!
Jun '10
Re: Lame Duck Shenanigans
Speaker Pelosi still needs a quorum to conduct business. Republicans should obstruct the lame duck session with every possible parliamentary maneuver. Eventually a few principled Democrats and more than a few lazy ones will join with the minority and vote for a recess.
May '10
Re: Lame Duck Shenanigans
This is all being floated to rally the base. They know very well it's impossible to pull off, and ten-to-one says they don't even try.
May '10
Re: Lame Duck Shenanigans
If they do try, I'll be hard pressed to name another political ploy in U.S. history that's this cynical. The problem that the Democrats are threatening to exploit is that, in this case, the remedy - an election depriving them of their Congressional majority - would precede the problem - an if-I'm-going-down-I'm-taking-everyone-with-me flurry of legislative activity to ram every bad idea they've ever had down our gullet. The next chance to really return the favor will be in 2012.
Re: Lame Duck Shenanigans
Matthew, you'd be right about the remarkable cynicism of such a move. But then for a reference point, look at the health care bill which a clear majority of the nation opposed. Not only did they pass it against the will of the people, they had a boistrous in-your-face signing ceremony that included everything but the handing out of championship rings. These people are convinced that they know what is best for us poor, benighted citizens, and they are going to give it to us good and proper.
I do like Paules' and Jason's ideas of not having a quorum and Scott Brown displaying some fortitude. And I wish I could be as confident as Scott that they will not even try this nonsense. But I've been taken aback by the iron fisted approach the Democrats have taken to date.
May '10
Re: Lame Duck Shenanigans
I think Obama is on a mission and that he will try to use the lame duck session to further his agenda. I certainly hope that the writers above are correct that the Democrats can be blocked by Scott Brown and parliamentary maneuvers!
May '10
Re: Lame Duck Shenanigans
Scott Brown other than his election stance against ObamaCare has not impressed this conservative with his actual Senate voting record. Seems a 'conservative Rep' from MA is simply a Democrat vote. Same seems to be true for those serving in the Senate from ME.