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House Democrats Fail Democracy 101

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by hillclimber1, Aug 4, 2007.

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  1. hillclimber1

    hillclimber1 Active Member
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    http://townhall.com/columnists/TomDeLay/2007/08/03/house_democrats_fail_democracy_101

    This article is well worth reading....hill

    Here’s how it went down. The House of Representatives, like all democratic legislatures, provides for what is called a “Motion to Recommit.” It’s one of the many minority rights built into the structure of the legislative process. Basically, a properly led majority party in the House – unlike in the Senate – can pass pretty much any bill it wants to. It can swat down minority amendments, or even disallow their introduction in the first place. In order to give minority members a semblance of dignity in such circumstances, they are usually permitted one more vote, before a major bill’s final passage, to send the bill back to committee. A good example of this would be a budget bill: Republicans don’t want to just vote against the Democrat budget, so they propose their own in the form of the motion to recommit, so at least they can have something they’re for. Now, because majority parties are in control of things and presumably have competent leadership, these procedural votes are typically formalities.
    ---more---
     
    #1 hillclimber1, Aug 4, 2007
  2. poncho

    poncho Well-Known Member

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    Funny stuff went on with the CAFTA vote too.

    As far as "democracy 101" goes, the U.S. constitution guarantess a republican form of government to each state not a democracy. And for good reason. Democracy never lasts long. Look here... (PDF)
     
    #2 poncho, Aug 4, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 4, 2007
  3. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    When the Republicans were in charge they would turn 15 minute votes into 3 hour votes in order to get their way.

    Let's face it, folks, our Congress - both major parties - are a joke and a travesty to the inheritance received from our Founding Fathers. It's no wonder that most Americans have washed their hands of politics in these United States and pay little or no attention to what goes on in Bablyon-on-the-Potomac.
     
    #3 KenH, Aug 4, 2007
  4. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

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    Mr

    Background on the author:

    Texas Grand Jury Indicts Rep. Tom DeLay
    House Majority Leader Calls Charges "Reckless"

    R. Jeffrey Smith
    Washington Post staff writer
    Thursday, September 29, 2005; 12:00 PM

    A Texas grand jury indicted Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) Wednesday on charges that he violated state campaign finance law. DeLay, who said the charges against him are "reckless" and called district attorney Ronnie Earle a "partisan fanatic," plans to temporarily step down from his position as House Majority Leader. Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) will assume the role in the interim.
     
    #4 JustChristian, Aug 4, 2007
  5. hillclimber1

    hillclimber1 Active Member
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    We lost our Republic early on. We're a democracy, with all its warts.
     
    #5 hillclimber1, Aug 5, 2007
  6. hillclimber1

    hillclimber1 Active Member
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    So? That is perfectly proper for the Republicans to do. This article is about impropriety.
     
    #6 hillclimber1, Aug 5, 2007
  7. hillclimber1

    hillclimber1 Active Member
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    Does that effect the articles validity?
     
    #7 hillclimber1, Aug 5, 2007
  8. poncho

    poncho Well-Known Member

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    Democracies always die violent deaths and end up in dictatorships, is that what we want?
     
    #8 poncho, Aug 5, 2007
  9. hillclimber1

    hillclimber1 Active Member
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    We certainly do not. But it's what we have an we will travel its path.
     
    #9 hillclimber1, Aug 5, 2007
  10. Analgesic

    Analgesic New Member

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    Unless Gravel is elected
     
    #10 Analgesic, Aug 5, 2007
  11. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    I consider that alternative preferable to cutting the vote short or allowing some to change their votes after the count is over.

    At least it's legal and within the rules of the House.
     
    #11 carpro, Aug 6, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 6, 2007
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