Stay or Go

[f6john]

   Which of our Senators or Congressman need to go?
     I'll start. Mitch McConnell needs to go but I voted for him because we did not have a good alternative. His seniority probably serves Kentucky well but I can't say how in a definitive way. I think he should have used his influence in a more positive way for the last 8 years. We'll have to see what our choices are in the next cycle.

     Rand Paul won easily since his opponent was A devout Clinton follower. He is a good guy even though some of this positions are a little out there. He's ok with me until a stronger candidate comes along.


     Thank heavens that Harry Reid is gone and Barbara Boxer.  Nothing wold suit me better than to see Pelosi sail off into the sunset. I'll have go give some more consideration to others.

[scooperhsd]

This is an easy question - in 6 years we should have  replaced every single Representitive and every single senator.

[old2soon]

Term Limits. RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

John,
We're in agreement on McConnell, Pelosi, Boxer and Dirty Harry.   Low lifes IMHO.
Unfortunately, We're stuck with Mac for a while.   Sure wish someone else with integrity would step up to the plate.    IF CA voter's were smart, they'd rid themselves and us of Pelosi but, I don't see that happening.   "They'll have to read it to know what's in it", will haunt her forever.

[f6john]

    I'm all for term limits. I can't hold my breath that long. I was hoping to get some insight of the good ones and bad ones from around the country just for my own enlightenment.

[..]

If you honestly think that they will vote for term limits I want to buy what y'all are smoking.

We the people can enforce term limits by voting. Live where too many disagree with you?

Suck it up and educate them.

[Rams]

While sitting on the throne this morning, I was contemplating the universe and it's challenges.  I thought about our political leadership (which was more than appropriate considering the location and activity) and the thought occurred to me that I may not be giving McConnell enough credit for at least one accomplishment.   While not single handed, he has been majority leader in the Senate for the last two years and can take credit or blame for keeping the next SCOTUS jurist for the next President to select.   Thank you Senator McConnell.      

[The emperor has no clothes]

While sitting on the throne this morning, I was contemplating the universe and it's challenges.  I thought about our political leadership (which was more than appropriate considering the location and activity) and the thought occurred to me that I may not be giving McConnell enough credit for at least one accomplishment.   While not single handed, he has been majority leader in the Senate for the last two years and can take credit or blame for keeping the next SCOTUS jurist for the next President to select.   Thank you Senator McConnell.      

Yep, not doubt about it. He can obstruct with the best of them. 

[Rams]

While sitting on the throne this morning, I was contemplating the universe and it's challenges.  I thought about our political leadership (which was more than appropriate considering the location and activity) and the thought occurred to me that I may not be giving McConnell enough credit for at least one accomplishment.   While not single handed, he has been majority leader in the Senate for the last two years and can take credit or blame for keeping the next SCOTUS jurist for the next President to select.   Thank you Senator McConnell.    

Yep, not doubt about it. He can obstruct with the best of them.  

Obviously, that would depend on one's own perspective but yep, he learned from the best, Dirty Harry.   Now, I just hope he follows Dirty Harry out the door.  

[baldo]

While sitting on the throne this morning, I was contemplating the universe and it's challenges.  I thought about our political leadership (which was more than appropriate considering the location and activity) and the thought occurred to me that I may not be giving McConnell enough credit for at least one accomplishment.   While not single handed, he has been majority leader in the Senate for the last two years and can take credit or blame for keeping the next SCOTUS jurist for the next President to select.   Thank you Senator McConnell.    

Yep, not doubt about it. He can obstruct with the best of them.  

Obviously, that would depend on one's own perspective but yep, he learned from the best, Dirty Harry.   Now, I just hope he follows Dirty Harry out the door.  

Thanks Ron, it'll take a while to get that image out of my mind....

Speaking of McConnell and his success at keeping the 9th justice from getting a vote. On Nov 7th, the R's were absolutely fine with the SC staffed at eight.

We'll have to see who Trump puts up for a nominee, but if he/she (unlikely) is totally unacceptable, I hope the D's take a page out of his playbook and deny them the hearing.

I'm not saying I want a repeat of his obstructionism from the left, but I would have no problem with an eight seat SC for as long as it takes.

[BnB Tom]

         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QirsBCrXNI0

[Rams]

Thanks Ron, it'll take a while to get that image out of my mind....

 

[F6Dave]

You may remember that several years ago, Harry Reid changed Senate rules, eliminating the filibuster for federal (but not SCOTUS) judges so they could be approved by a simple majority vote.  Apparently he thought the Dems would control the Senate for a long time.  The Dems proceeded to appoint a lot of activist judges.

Since the Senate changed hands two years ago, that rule remained in place.  Since Obama won't approve Republican nominees there are now 99 vacancies on the federal bench.  With Trump in the WH and Reid's 51 vote rule still in place, we should see those vacancies filled quickly.  The Dems are about to reap what they sowed.

[Rams]

You may remember that several years ago, Harry Reid changed Senate rules, eliminating the filibuster for federal (but not SCOTUS) judges so they could be approved by a simple majority vote.  Apparently he thought the Dems would control the Senate for a long time.  The Dems proceeded to appoint a lot of activist judges.

Since the Senate changed hands two years ago, that rule remained in place.  Since Obama won't approve Republican nominees there are now 99 vacancies on the federal bench.  With Trump in the WH and Reid's 51 vote rule still in place, we should see those vacancies filled quickly.  The Dems are about to reap what they sowed.

Well now, there's some enlightenment I was unaware of.   Thanks for sharing that.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

You may remember that several years ago, Harry Reid changed Senate rules, eliminating the filibuster for federal (but not SCOTUS) judges so they could be approved by a simple majority vote.  Apparently he thought the Dems would control the Senate for a long time.  The Dems proceeded to appoint a lot of activist judges.

Since the Senate changed hands two years ago, that rule remained in place.  Since Obama won't approve Republican nominees there are now 99 vacancies on the federal bench.  With Trump in the WH and Reid's 51 vote rule still in place, we should see those vacancies filled quickly.  The Dems are about to reap what they sowed.

I think you are confused on how our government works. The President nominates the Judges and the Senate either confirms or denies. Not the other way around. 

[Serk]

I think Senator Ted Cruz should leave the senate...

...and go to the Supreme Court...

[Rams]

You may remember that several years ago, Harry Reid changed Senate rules, eliminating the filibuster for federal (but not SCOTUS) judges so they could be approved by a simple majority vote.  Apparently he thought the Dems would control the Senate for a long time.  The Dems proceeded to appoint a lot of activist judges.

Since the Senate changed hands two years ago, that rule remained in place.  Since Obama won't approve Republican nominees there are now 99 vacancies on the federal bench.  With Trump in the WH and Reid's 51 vote rule still in place, we should see those vacancies filled quickly.  The Dems are about to reap what they sowed.

I think you are confused on how our government works. The President nominates the Judges and the Senate either confirms or denies. Not the other way around.  

While I can't speak for David, I'm pretty sure he has a good understanding of how it works.   He did mistakenly use the word approve instead of nominate but, I think most of us knew what he meant.

Then again, he's probably correct in that Obama doesn't appear to approve of Conservative Republican judges.   

[Pappy!]

Ex-Astronaut Bill Nelson, from Florida, needs to go as well. He's as Liberal as they come and almost as dingy these days as "Nagsy" Pelosi.

[Jersey mike]

Chuck Schumer needs to go too and with luck his cousin Amy Schumer's comedy career will go out too.


John Conyers (from Michigan) too, he's been in Washington since 1965, my birth year. The man is now 87 years old.

[ridingron]

Ex-Astronaut Bill Nelson, from Florida, needs to go as well. He's as Liberal as they come and almost as dingy these days as "Nagsy" Pelosi.   

Bill Nelson is long past over due to leave. I think he was one of too many voting for UN taking guns from US.

I'm in favor of term limits as long as part of the deal is no Congressional retirement for the rest of their life.

[F6Dave]

You may remember that several years ago, Harry Reid changed Senate rules, eliminating the filibuster for federal (but not SCOTUS) judges so they could be approved by a simple majority vote.  Apparently he thought the Dems would control the Senate for a long time.  The Dems proceeded to appoint a lot of activist judges.

Since the Senate changed hands two years ago, that rule remained in place.  Since Obama won't approve Republican nominees there are now 99 vacancies on the federal bench.  With Trump in the WH and Reid's 51 vote rule still in place, we should see those vacancies filled quickly.  The Dems are about to reap what they sowed.

I think you are confused on how our government works. The President nominates the Judges and the Senate either confirms or denies. Not the other way around.  

You're right, I wrote that backwards.  Republicans haven't approved Obama's nominees to the federal bench.  The result is still the same; 99 vacancies that Trump can fill.

[Willow]

The decision is pretty easy for me.  Everyone who almost completely agrees with me should stay.  Those who are obviously ignorant enough to disagree with me should go.

It would make congressional voting simpler for the three that remain.

 

[mojo]

Well written Willow.  I will continue to protest in my driveway while setting fire to the two couches on my porch and breaking out the windows of my new car if the appointments do not go our way! Who do we want anyway? 

[DK]

All of them should go immediately after enacting a meaningful campaign finance reform bill.

In 2012, each senator, on the average raised $14,351.00 per day

Senators, on average, each raised $10,476,451, an average of $14,351 every day during the 2012 cycle.

House members, on average, each raised $1,689,580, an average of $2,315 every day during the 2012 cycle.

Based on Federal Elections Commission data on the 2012 elections. I shudder to think of the 2026 figures.

Contributors seem happy. They must be getting their money's worth.

[F6Dave]

All of them should go immediately after enacting a meaningful campaign finance reform bill.

In 2012, each senator, on the average raised $14,351.00 per day

Senators, on average, each raised $10,476,451, an average of $14,351 every day during the 2012 cycle.

House members, on average, each raised $1,689,580, an average of $2,315 every day during the 2012 cycle.

Based on Federal Elections Commission data on the 2012 elections. I shudder to think of the 2026 figures.

Contributors seem happy. They must be getting their money's worth.

I'll bet some of the contributors to the Clinton Foundation aren't so happy! 

[f6john]

    I am not involved in grass roots politics and for me the problem I see is, who do we replace them with? Our current system rewards the incumbents with so much support that potential candidates down even enter the race. Term limits would address that problem but I'm not sure even Trump can sell that idea.

[The emperor has no clothes]

    I am not involved in grass roots politics and for me the problem I see is, who do we replace them with? Our current system rewards the incumbents with so much support that potential candidates down even enter the race. Term limits would address that problem but I'm not sure even Trump can sell that idea.

With the Supreme Court striking down states ability to enact term limits its going to be almost impossible . 

[F6Dave]

    I am not involved in grass roots politics and for me the problem I see is, who do we replace them with? Our current system rewards the incumbents with so much support that potential candidates down even enter the race. Term limits would address that problem but I'm not sure even Trump can sell that idea.

With the Supreme Court striking down states ability to enact term limits its going to be almost impossible . 

It's been a while since that ruling, but as I remember it let states limit the terms of state office holders, but ruled that limiting members of congress would require a constitutional amendment.  That makes sense, since presidential term limits were imposed by the 22nd amendment, passed in large part as a response to Roosevelt's 4 terms.

Here in Colorado the voters approved sweeping term limits prior to that ruling, and the limits on state officials are still in effect.  It hasn't worked out as well as I expected.  The county I live in is heavily Republican, and they easily win all the county elections.  With essentially no opposition, I've seen cases where a county official, say the County Clerk, is prevented from running again, but just runs for a different office like County Assessor.  I'm sure this happens in other counties, as well as the state legislature, where someone can serve 2 terms in the house, then run for the senate.

The voters have the ability to impose term limits.  I wish they would.