AP Laments 'Productive' Congress 'Gets No Respect From Voters'
By Ken Shepherd | October 18, 2010 | 11:22
To Associated Press writer Jim Abrams, the 111th Congress seems to be the Rodney Dangerfield of American politics.
It just gets no respect.
This despite the fact, Abrams laments in an October 18 story, that it's been a thoroughly "productive" Congress.
Apparently to the AP writer, American voters are just ingrates who don't appreciate the "historic" nature of the Obama/Pelosi/Reid partnership the past two years:
WASHINGTON – The public panned it. Republicans obstructed it. Many Democrats fled from it. Even so, the session of Congress now drawing to a close was the most productive in nearly half a century.
Not since the explosive years of the civil rights movement and the hard-fought debut of government-supported health care for the elderly and poor have so many big things — love them or hate them — been done so quickly.
[...]
In terms of legislative successes, the current session of Congress is "at least on a par with the 89th Congress" of 1965-1966, said Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.
But, he added, Republicans have done all they could to discredit Congress and Democrats have failed to sell their agenda. Moreover, it will take years to fully feel the effects of the health care law and financial regulation.
"A world dominated by bickering and epithet-throwing and bomb tossing in Washington obscures accomplishments," Ornstein said.
[...]
The two other landmark acts of this session were the health care overhaul, a giant step toward universal coverage that had eluded presidents back to Franklin Roosevelt if not Teddy Roosevelt, and the Wall Street accountability act.
Obama has also signed into law at least a dozen other pieces of legislation of significance. They include:
_Making college loans more affordable.
_The Cash for Clunkers program that helped rejuvenate the auto industry.
_New consumer protections for credit card users.
_Making it easier for women to challenge pay discrimination.
_Increasing federal regulation of tobacco products.
_Cracking down on waste in Pentagon weapons acquisition.
_Making attacks based on sexual orientation a federal hate crime.
_Giving businesses tax incentives to hire unemployed workers.
_Tax credits for first-time homeowners.
So where is the love?
Polls suggest three-fourths of Americans disapprove of Congress.
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Comments
The definition of 'productive'
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 11:38am.
When I was about four years old, I decided to do a little artistic improvement on the family's red brick fireplace. With a piece of white chalk, I drew an "X" on each and every one.
I thought I was very productive. My father didn't see it my way. In fact, I rarely saw may Dad angry, but this was one of those rare occasions. He spent far more time correcting my "production" than I spent creating it.
Professional politicians measure their productivity by how much legislation they pass, and not how efficiently they manage the government. That is their performance metric, and the reason why balancing a budget -- which might require the dismantling of some earlier 'procutivity' -- is not the highest priority.
That's why the Dems are at loss for the explosion of grass roots anger at their latest productivity. To them, the Tea Partiers are like spoiled children who don't appreciate the goodness that has been done in their name and with their dime (Or more accurately, their grandchildrens' dimes).
It's not a matter of the voters not "getting the message." It's a matter of the Democrats not understanding the negatives of their own message.
productive stuff
Submitted by jon_torlin on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 2:02pm.
That's a good story of how easy it is to dismantle/damage something versus creating/building it.
-Jon
Great post. -Ben
Submitted by Ruths husband Ben on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 4:30pm.
Great post.
-Ben
I don't know why they always
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 11:49am.
I don't know why they always think passing laws is what makes them "productive."
I guess we could say that Jimmy Carter, having written over 20 books in his post-presidential years is "productive."
Why don't people "respect" HIM?
MB, They ARE productive.
Submitted by mattm on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 5:13pm.
MB,
They ARE productive. The people aren't upset with the level of productivity, it's the PRODUCT we don't like.
The dumb-asses at the AP (and the rest of the left) either don't get that, or won't admit it.
No Respect for Congress/Obama - the Number One Reason..
Submitted by Gary Hall on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 12:00pm.
Grabbing the first poll that came up in a google search.
Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted Jan. 12-15, 2010:
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
Health care:
Federal Budget Deficit :
Do you think things in this country (are generally going in the right direction) or do you feel things (have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track)?
.. and the number one reason that AP doesn't get why Congress gets no respect from the voters:
Generally speaking, would you say you favor (smaller government with fewer services), or (larger government with more services)?
Any more questions, AP?
(;~/ gary
It's very clear that 37-44%
Submitted by mattm on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 5:15pm.
It's very clear that 37-44% of the people are complete morons.
PRODUCTIVE ?
Submitted by thetruthdetector on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 12:02pm.
Hey JIM ABRAMS • Associated Press Writer.........PRODUCTIVE ? Every bill, except for the defense bill, was intended to expand the power of the government, and increase spending....PRODUCTIVE ? most bill passed were against the will of the people....Yes, (since 2007) a Democrat majority has increased spending, trippled the deficit, and couldn't even pass a FY budget, ....instead passing CR's like they did under Reagan... PRODUCTIVE ? That's like saying that 9/11 was PRODUCTIVE ? to Islam.. You and your ilk, are the reason that newspapers are failing... Providing puff pieces for the DNC, as news. Most of today's media is in the cahoots for B.H.O., and with their obvious partiality, have LOST ALL CREDIBILITY. The end of the fourth estate is near, and will be thought of as a used car salesperson, so I say to them....... Luke 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
Productive? Surely you jest!
Submitted by Mary Louise Turner on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 12:27pm.
Earth to that Ears-loving reporter from the Associated Propaganda:
Congress productive? Surely you jest!
They were productive all right - in creating obscene debt! All this Congress did was tax and spend, spend, spend! Some prime examples: that idiotic "stimulus", the omnibus bill with 9,000 earmarks, and health care "reform".
I wish these reporters would get the stars out of their eyes and see reality. Alas, the MSM is still in love with Ears, so don't expect them to see the truth soon - if ever.
Respect must be earned.
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 12:54pm.
Respect must be earned. Congress has done little to nothing to earn that respect. We, as American citizens, owe them no respect when the liberal-controlled Congress hasn't done much except go again the peoples' wishes time and time again, lied to the people and flaunted their power with extreme hubris.
They don't respect the American people. So why should we respect them?
"If con is the opposite of pro, it explains why Congress is the opposite of progress."
I am also reminded of a quote by Mark Twain:
"Suppose you were an idiot. Suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."
Accomplished much?
Submitted by stage9 on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 1:59pm.
But, he added, Republicans have done all they could to discredit Congress and Democrats have failed to sell their agenda. Moreover, it will take years to fully feel the effects of the health care law and financial regulation.YES! WE KNOW!
As much as I appreciate the fact that liberals really believe they've accomplished something, I can't go along with their insanity. After all these are the same infantile maniacs who brought us the sexual revulsion and the welfare state as well as a whole host of other marxist-lite disasters.
I realize that they believe that they're "Moving America Forward", but that doesn't mean that we are moving in the desired direction; a crashing plane hurling towards the earth is still technically "moving forward", but we all know how that's going to end.
Obamacare is a Kevorkian-style slow drip that will kill us yet. That my friends is not the kind of "health care" we want or need.
I suggest we get a second opinion come November 2.
"If God is dead, somebody is going to have to take his place. It will be megalomania or erotomania, the drive for power or the drive for pleasure, the clenched fist or the phallus, Hitler or Hugh Hefner." — Malcolm Muggeridge
The Reichstag passed the Nuremberg Laws in 1935.
Submitted by virginia republican on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 2:34pm.
That legislative body was both very "productive" and it's relationship with Hitler was very "historic". As any fool can see, being "productive" and having the nature of a relationship be "historic" don't mean diddly squat by themselves. It doesn't necessarily translate into something good or beneficial by any means.
"Republicans have done all they could to discredit Congress "
Submitted by merly1 on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 2:54pm.
Well, the Dems as budget captains will add over 5 trillion in NEW federal debt from 1/04/2007 thru 1/2011.
How is this not an issue in the press?????
Shouldnt that fact alone discredit the Dems?????
Here's the problem, WE DON'T
Submitted by deerjerkydave on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 4:02pm.
Here's the problem, WE DON'T WANT A PRODUCTIVE CONGRESS! I PRAY for gridlock. The Federal courts have allowed congress to step WAY WAY WAY outside the bounds of the constitution. At this point the only restraint to Federalism is gridlock.
------------------------
"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State Governments are numerous and indefinite. -James MadisonLate to this, but this is Exhibit A of AP propaganda
Submitted by Alfred J. Lemire on Fri, 10/22/2010 - 5:47pm.
M comment at Yahoo!, where I got to this story only today, Friday, the 22nd, for various reasons:
Mr. Abrams’s article serves as Exhibit A in any indictment of the Associated Press, which has to be reformed and restaffed. It badly serves its member newspapers and other news outlets, and their readers and listeners. This article is undeniably partisan, ignoring the many demerits of Democratic Congress. To take one example of implicit advocacy in this piece (I can’t call it either report or analysis), the implied negative of the failure of this Congress to enact a measure to make it easier "to unionize workplaces." That "Card Check" does away with the secret ballot and eases the task of union thugs to threaten dissenters to unionization efforts. Think of what it would be like if voters for political office had their preferences made public. You get the idea?
The Associated Press is partisan. It is propagandistic. It has failed America. The news media in this country, at least on the national level, cannot be trusted to report fairly, truthfully, and intelligently on current developments of significance to the polity and the culture.
Responsible voters must reject the President’s supporters on November 2, the Democrats who voted for the lefty legislation Mr. Abrams sees in a wholly positive way, and those new Democrat candidates who would continue to steer America sharply to the left, so far from the direction of the Democratic party of my youth and my family.
On November 3, one hopes, the process of reforming American institutions, especially the Democratic Party, the mass news media, and the colleges that turn out journalists, can begin. Only thorough defeat of the left on November 2 can spur that necessary reform.