Why Legislators Can't Get Elected President

WASHINGTON, March 8 — The House Appropriations Committee defied President Bush this evening, voting overwhelmingly to scuttle a deal giving a Dubai company control of some major seaport operations without awaiting the outcome of a 45-day review of potential security risks.

Representative Jerry Lewis, the California Republican who is chairman of the panel, made good on his threat to keep the port terminal takeover from going forward. He added an amendment blocking the transaction to an essential emergency spending measure that provides money for the war in Iraq and for Hurricane Katrina recovery. "It is my intention to lay the foundation to block the deal," he said Tuesday.

It's well-known that it's difficult to get elected to the Presidency from the Congress. Pathetic, stick your finger in the air behavior like this above significantly contributes to that trend.

Seventy-percent of Americans are against the terminal deal with the UAE. Of those, it would not surprise me to learn that well over half of them don't fully understand the deal as a result of the poor press coverage and a fair amount of railing against it from pundits on the Left and Right.

Yet, rather than sell a controversial but potentially positive deal to America, the Republicans and the Democrats in the Congress are content to simply turn tail and run. Any way you take this move above apart it is blatantly political.

An extended 45 day review process was implemented. So, why not simply wait? The Dems didn't want to wait as they believe it gives them a Homeland Security issue, which is like found gold to them, given their history and reputation. And the most shameful act of all to me is the Republicans in Congress who lack the vision and statesmanship to at least address it prudently. And they also clearly lack the faith in America and Americans to even explain the arrangement below the level of the headlines they have faced.

For some time the American Congress has been full of a bunch of back benchers far more mindful of their re-election chances than anything one might equate to leadership. And that's precisely why the majority of them are right where they belong, or don't. Term after term they are content with lining their pockets on perks and lobbyist give mes, and sticking their fingers in the wind to determine what they will do, and what they won't.

And the most manipulative move of all, should it come to pass, is for this to be a backroom deal between the White House and Congressional Republicans to give the President cover for not vetoing the bill, as it was attached to a bill for military funding.

If any of those politicians that supported this bill today had an ounce of principle, they would have stood up and condemed the despicable act of playing political football with a bill designed to provide funding for our military during a time of war.

Unfortunately, staking out a position like that would take character. Obviously that's something the vast majority of Congress sorely lacks. They are a too easily renew-able, should be disposable, class of professional political hacks.

A pox on both their houses as far as I'm concerned. This is precisely why I remain registered Independent.

Edited 1/9 for minor corrections to text

Comments

[SallyVee]

Dan, well said. Today I'm embarrassed to be a Republican. I can't think or talk about this issue at all anymore. People are too irrational, confused, uninformed. This is another MediaDNC win, but to what end I do not know.

[Helen]

I am furious with those Republicans who are deserting ship. How they can join the Democrats after the treatment they have recived from Pelosi, Reid, Kennedy, Kerry, et al, is beyond me. It is disgusting and as a life-long Republican, it's something I will not forget. I am irate about my party anyway; they stand by dumbfounded as the Democrats sling dirt at them, time after time after time. Republicans need some lessons in using a backbone. Isn't there anyone in the Republican party capable of responding to all those accusations?

[splashtc]

? Obviously this is not a party issue. I for one am glad not to do any business with a country like that.

[kate]

ditto to what dan said.

[jkatl]

I think what is more "despicable" is the Bush administration trying to sneak this port deal through WITHOUT a 45 day review in the first place. J.D. Hayworth said this morning it is the law for a 45 day review when a foreign government owned entity attempts to buy anything in the U.S. that affects national security. Dan, you might as well get on board with the rest of us sane folk, barring something like DPW outsourcing U.S. port management to a U.S company, this deal is a train that is headed right off the tracks.

[John Palcewski]

I am impatiently awaiting the emergence of a great LEADER who will oversee the banishment of every single fascist Republican swine who, with endlessly repeated lies and propaganda and needless deaths of thousands, has stained the honor of America.

Weston La Barre in 1970 said in "The Ghost Dance" that charismatic leaders are those who come to resolve acute stress situations in the culture.

"A society's culture is a set of defense mechanisms, both technological and psychological. If technical means fail to protect the people against anxiety and stress, then psychological means must be fabricated to maintain homeostatis [or balance]."

In other words, right now America is in deep shit. The fascist swine are destroying the country, and we sit helplessly in numbed shock. Some of us write hysterical posts to liberal blogs. Some of us call our congressmen, or join email or fax campaigns.

But what we need the most is to find a true leader. Who is he?

Or she?

John Palcewski

[tester]

So what's new. Politics as usual.

Who in their right mind would want to be a politician in today's climate? You can't even sneeze without somebody snapping a pic and makeing you into some sort of perverted face twisted monster.

At any rate, one has to wonder if the president's job is growing in complexity with more countries joining the 'civilized" world and is it now too much for one person.

[James]

I think that it is clear that this is a non-partisan issue. The numbers of supporters from both sides prove that.

Those who disagree are most likely elitist conservatives who think that they can dictate their will onto the people.

I am certainly glad that our ports are not going to be leased to a foreign state owned business.

[tester]

Prolly some momentum on this from the "buy american" direction rather than just from the muslim/Arab (hate/backlash) security issue.

Buying American is damn near impossible these days....and besides anybody with a traditional IRA or 401k is likely invested in such a way that "buying American" is rather moot....perhaps better, is "buy local"...like local foods, etc.