That’s How It’s Supposed to Work

I object to the interpretation of the reporter.

Congress is locked in a partisan dispute over energy legislation that has produced plenty of combustible debate but is unlikely to produce a bill to help lower gas prices anytime soon.

[...]

As the legislative process breaks down…

The legislative process is not breaking down.  This IS the legislative process.  You know… the one where we debate the issue, abide by the rules, and try to come to some sort of agreement as to the best course of action.  The entire legislative process is not encompassed in the passage of bills and the activity taking place in the Congress is not at all an indication that anything is breaking down. 

1. You’re absolutely right. I maintain that the media are biased not so much to the left or to the right, but to the conflict. It’s like anything else in that conflict drives an interesting story and an interesting story drives newsstand sales and ratings, which drive most importantly of all, advertising rates.

   That’s why we get such crappy campaign coverage. It’s easier and cheaper to get people to bloviate on the air about haircuts and flagpins and holy-shit-they-haven’t-passed-a-bill-yet than it is to actually cover what’s actually going on.

   Posted by on July 25, 2008 at 1907 hrs




2. APC, great post.

   I have to note however, that hacks on both sides like to complain about the process “not working” when the minority in one or both chambers of Congress won’t let legislation pass.

   For instance, from 2000 to 2006, I could hear and read about the awful “obstructionist” Democrats who wouldn’t let the GOP Majority pass every item on its agenda. Of course now that the GOP is in the minority, those same folks are saying how great it is the GOP obstructs the majority.

   Ah politics.

   Posted by on July 25, 2008 at 2115 hrs




3. We are in a time of extreme polarization.  Whether this is more or less polarized than at other times in history is a question for history buffs, but it seems more extreme than I remember in the past.  I don’t like it, I am more of a centrist, i.e., I agree a little with everyone but no one agrees with me.  But it is what it is. 

   There is a reason it is difficult to pass a law and it is a very good thing!  Think of all the bills submitted and think what it would be like if they could easily pass!  It can be irritating when a proposal you support gets held up by the process, it can be irritating when a proposal you support gets watered down (i.e. amended) but it works both ways.

   Posted by on July 26, 2008 at 0511 hrs




4. I am more of a centrist, i.e., I agree a little with everyone but no one agrees with me.

   +1.

   I like being told I have to “pick a side”. Why? They’re both a little bit right but mostly wrong.

   Posted by on July 26, 2008 at 0741 hrs