Comments for The Congress

Comment on How would a more demographically representative Congress affect policymaking? by Bud

Bud — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:59:15 +0000

So if there were more white middle class men in congress, what would that change? I think they would lower taxes and spend less money on everything but defense.

Comment on What made congress pass the civil rights act of 1964 and the voting rights act of 1965? by Mujer Alta

Mujer Alta — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:59:14 +0000

Believe me it wasn’t just because of the Jim Crow laws of the south. De facto segregation existed in most of the US. Black Americans with the jobs, money and social standing couldn’t buy or rent homes in middle class areas. Here in the west, new housing was “restricted” – it would not be sold to a person of color. In the south, “whites only” signs peppered all public facilities even though blacks paid some of the taxes that built and supported them. Blacks had to pay poll taxes and in some states prove their literacy before being allowed to register to vote while whites were waived. The US was truly two countries: the white one and the “colored” one.

Getting these laws passed was a long, hard struggle. Lyndon Johnson was a practioner of old style personal politics. He’d spent many years in the Senate and was senate majority leader when nominated and elected to the vice presidency. He knew where all the skeletons were buried and had used the power he had as majority leader to accumulate a ton of IOUs. He’d done enough “favors” to have a huge bankroll of political capital. He was not past using his political clout when it needed to be used. When these bills came up for votes, he called in those IOUs and used his clout to basically bully and shove the votes to the “yea” side. He knew that passing these bills would spell the end of the Dems Southern alliance. He knew it would mean the end of any political influence he had in Congress but he did it anyway. If you want specifics, you’re going to have to dig for them.

You also have to remember that the Dems and Repubs in the 1960s each consisted of conservative, moderate and liberal blocks. If you look at the voting records of these bills, you’ll see both Dems and Repubs on the for and on the against sides. The US wasn’t as politically polarized as it is today. And politics was personal, not ideological.

Comment on What made congress pass the civil rights act of 1964 and the voting rights act of 1965? by I'm back in the USSA

I'm back in the USSA — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:31:28 +0000

They knew what was on the way.

Comment on What made congress pass the civil rights act of 1964 and the voting rights act of 1965? by Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:31:01 +0000

President johnson had a good relationship with the congress so they allowed him to sign the civil rights bill… also there were lot’s of riots and problems going on because of the unequal rights black americans had… even when it was signed some white americans rejected and fought back however they allowed back americans to spread the way they got treated to all around the world by media….

Comment on What made congress pass the civil rights act of 1964 and the voting rights act of 1965? by Em

Em — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:07:06 +0000

To force the South into the 20th century.

Comment on Why is Congress going after BP when it’s Presidency who is responsible for the safe working conditions? by Blue hills Granny

Blue hills Granny — Wed, 19 May 2010 17:18:16 +0000

Please let me know what number you have to call the President I am so sick and tired of 4 wheelers coming down my street I am entitled to peace and quiet preservation in my home, also my neighbor is not keeping up his lawn, his pink flamingos are ugly and he should be reported! I am so happy you know the truth and have the wisdom to know what a President should be or should not be doing You should be the top adviser on False Noise Ummm I mean fox news I think you should have a daily show on fox news 7 days a week, you have all the qualifications ,

Comment on Why is Congress going after BP when it’s Presidency who is responsible for the safe working conditions? by malcolm tucker

malcolm tucker — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:18:20 +0000

Oh, so now the President is responsible for safe working conditions?

Can you give me his phone number? the air conditioner in my office needs to be fixed.

Comment on Why is Congress going after BP when it’s Presidency who is responsible for the safe working conditions? by Ruth S

Ruth S — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:04:45 +0000

So, the oil well belongs to BP, right!? Just WHERE is the well located in the GULF? Didn’t I hear Obama claimed the majority of the Gulf of Mexico US property??? If that is true, BP and Obama should take equal responsibility of the oil spill!! I agree, he wasn’t in power when this well was installed, and BP should have made sure it COULD be capped in the event of a disaster, but, damn it all!! Obama took on the Presidency of the United States, and therefore ALL the responsibilities that go with the job! No use blaming someone else! He didn’t have the decency to go talk to the families who lost loved ones, NOR has he set foot in that area of those devasting floods! I think he has got his priorities mixed up!

Comment on Why is Congress going after BP when it’s Presidency who is responsible for the safe working conditions? by mommanuke

mommanuke — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:42:18 +0000

Wow! Three lies in one question! You’re going for the trifecta today.

The responsibility for safe oil wells is combined between our federal regulations and other people’s regulations, all of which have so many holes in them they look like Swiss cheese! http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/10/1937081/us-agency-lets-oil-industry-write.html As you can see from this article, the oil companies pick and choose the rules they want.

Kagan is not gay. Multiple people have come out in her defense. Not that that matters. Who cares? And the current Supreme Court is made up primarily of straight, white males. In what way does the Constitution impinge on oil drilling regulation, because that’s the only way it ever even gets close to the Supreme Court?

I won’t even bother to address the shrimp hater comment.

If you want Obama to be responsible for regulating oil producers, first you’re going to have to convince them that the US controls the entire world and the fact that they are from another country doesn’t matter to us and that there is no such thing as international waters. It all must belong to the US.

Comment on Why is Congress going after BP when it’s Presidency who is responsible for the safe working conditions? by don't drink the Kool-Aid

don't drink the Kool-Aid — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:58:40 +0000

The President has nothing to do enforcing laws – he is not in the FBI or DC Police. This is a failure of large corporations trying to cut corners to save money – if you want to point fingers I would think to look at the oil man and his cronies in office that allowed companies to violate safety procedures for years

And she isn’t a lesbian and who cares if she is – unless maybe you want a date