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Bush: What the Congress Can Do for America »
Posted by: Aidenag 2 years, 10 months ago"Tomorrow, members of the 110th Congress will take their oaths of office here in Washington. I will have the privilege of working with them for the next two years--one quarter of my presidency, plenty of time to accomplish important things for the American people."
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Aidenag
Photographer by day, news junkie by night. My main areas of interest are politics and the environment.
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Comments: 305
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doppich
Jan. 3, 2007, 8:23 a.m.Is the Uniter re-emerging after six years with the agenda unchanged from that of the Decider?
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ETproductions
Jan. 3, 2007, 9:53 a.m.Isn't that the truth? After reading this, I am left thinking that, no matter what words Bush selects this time out to disguise his true message, the song remains the same. Just one more chorus of "Stay the Course."
Stay the Course in Iraq.
Stay the Course of tax cuts for the rich.
Stay the Course of skyrocketing National Debt.
Stay the Course of eroding freedoms.
Stay the Course of privatizing Social Security & Medicare.
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DukeOhara
Jan. 4, 2007, 1:15 a.m.Warning! This is a neo-Con-Man peddler of right-leaning promo products!
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ETproductions
Jan. 3, 2007, 3:41 p.m.I doubt that even Dubya is so disconnected from reality that he thinks this article will fool Democrats. I looked at his Op. Ed. as more aimed at preaching to the choir. He's putting his same-ole-same-ole in the most derivative, palatable terms so he can then condemn the Democrats for resisting such perfection.
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blablabla
Jan. 3, 2007, 6:41 p.m.or he could take a two year vacation. i would chip in to help the cause
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rimbaud
Jan. 3, 2007, 7:01 p.m.No time to balance the budget or end the war, but plenty of time to do something to America, while there are still a couple of years left.
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Sandokan
Jan. 4, 2007, 6:32 p.m.HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...... What a Dork! We all know he is just going through the motion. If he can get the Republican Whip and the 49 votes to screw up any attempt of the Democrats to change his path set with the 109th Congress, you know what will happen! Right??? Yep.
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torrent29
Jan. 3, 2007, 9:21 a.m.Its a shame he didnt endorse this sort of ideal for the past 6 years. Congress would be well advised to ignore this ninny for the most part and work on establishing their own agenda.
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ConquerorWyrm
Jan. 3, 2007, 5:19 p.m.Nothing is different from what he says here than what the last 6 years of rhetoric has been. He's even bold enough to threaten the incoming congress with towing the line, his line-item veto request (oh, please give me a line-item carving knife so it looks better than my signing statements...people are talking about those...) and a warning that the Reps in congress can play obstructionist ("The minority party, especially where the margins are close, has a strong say...").
Nope, he's offering here nothing but threats and repeated self-praise for past failures (NoChildLeftBehind). Heck, he even distances himself from responsibility in the current Iraq fiasco.
Such a letter should be a ceremonious thing primarily, filled with good intentions and offers of olive branches. Bush made no offers, no hints of position flexibility...just threats to tow the line or else. Same bully tactics.
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Beggar
Jan. 3, 2007, 9:30 a.m.I tell you, this guy has no shame. How can he have a straight face and now start talking about bipartisanship and working together?
This administration and its cronies in the rubber-stamp Republican legislature has been incredibly arrogant, condescending, and exclusionary.
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Sandokan
Jan. 4, 2007, 6:36 p.m.Unfortunately the GOP is the party that backed the rednecks of the post era of the Civil War.
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ArseholeMarsole
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:31 p.m.Beggar:
Are you serious? Have you lived in a cave the past six years? You call Bush exclusionary? What do you call the democrats who threatened to filibuster judicial nominations? How about fighting tooth and nail over the tax cuts that put more money back in your wallet? How about the democrats speaking the same talking points as these Muslim terorists. That is bipartisianship? You live in fantasyland. Democrats are as partisan as any political party in the history of American politics. And, by the way, when the 2000 election was finally deided, who was it that gave some of these nitwit democrats chairmenships to quell the rage over the election? Why, yes, it was the republicans. That, my friend, is the epitome if bipartisian politics.
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geographer47
Jan. 3, 2007, 9:32 a.m.Our Founders had more faith in "the wisdom of the American people to choose their leaders" than our President does. Congress, especially the House of Representatives, should be listening to the electorate more than to the President. And if he's worried about minority rights, it may be because--more than most--he knows how they have been eroded recently.
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joeeddie
Jan. 3, 2007, 9:37 a.m.We'll see if Bush can get things done with a Democratic Congress. Apparently he doesn't work too well with a Republican Congress.
From the article:
"But we can and should do more. It's time Congress give the president a line-item veto. And today I will announce my own proposal to end this dead-of-the-night process and substantially cut the earmarks passed each year."
If this is accomplished, I will be happy and surprised.
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deathray
Jan. 3, 2007, 1:16 p.m.The line item veto will provide another nail in the coffin of the independent Congress. Every President wants it, and no Congress will pass it.
Additionally, as in all things that are from the land of good intentions, thereis no doubtin my mind that it would be abused by the party in power.
Sure, the line item veto has some upside, but then, it has some serious downsides as well.
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vor
Jan. 3, 2007, 9:43 a.m.What a load of BS. This is a failed President who has no policies of his own just a mishmash of ideas from his brilliant (NOT) advisors. There is no flexiblity from the Neo-cons on Iraq, they continue to do as they please, with little oversight or progress.
His tax cuts during a time of war have created immense debt and Middle Class Income has stagnated under this administration. Wouldn't it be amazing for him to give an honest assessment. The majority of the people in this country do not fall into the upper income brackets. It never ceases to amaze me that people will vote against their own economic self interest in the belief that they will benefit from the trickle down effect. Trickle down does not work because of GREED. Greed that has corrupted the very ideals of our capitalist system. Greed that has greatly expanded the gap between the richest and poorest Americans in the past five years.
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914Bill
Jan. 3, 2007, 9:55 a.m.After his term as decider he should be forced to be ambassador to Iraq since he's done such a fine job.
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Neophile
Jan. 3, 2007, 9:57 a.m.Here's what Bush could have done for Congress in the spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation in order to win the war...but didn't:
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skyking2p
Jan. 3, 2007, 9:58 a.m.All I can say is wow. This guy has not shame. I guess he just lives in bushland and thinks we havn't noticed what he has done to this country in the past six long years. Everyday from now until this man no longer has any say so about anything related to this country,someone from the Whitehouse should be on capital hill under oath telling us the truth about what they have done to our once great nation. IMPEACHMENT NOW !!
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DukeOhara
Jan. 4, 2007, 1:34 a.m.You don't list his biggest accomplishment:
The biggest failure, after failure, to more disastrous failure, of all US presidents and statesman!
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copperfloor
Jan. 4, 2007, 2:53 a.m.To dearest Ike:
Bush created a white collar rich republicans get even more rich economy, with no trickle down to the middle and lower class.
Engaged but not defeated by military action two nations:
Afghanistan, virtually no effort to pursue and complete this mission;
Iraq had no WMD's and no links to 9-11 terrorist groups and certainly no threat to America. What? 100000-600000 dead Iraqis and 3000 dead americans aren't much of a sacrifice?!
There is no evidence the Bush government has thwarted any terror plots.
Sorry pal but all Georgie did for Aids prevention was preach abstinence.
Bush managed to block tax increases to richest americans by lying, saying it would help the poor.
He let african-americans die for two days while he rested his butt in Crawford, then his response to a national emergency was pathetic, haphazard and disgustingly undersupported.
National deficit from 3 trillion to 8.75 trillion!
Reduced unemployment creating lots of jobs paying 5.15 an hour.
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evelyna
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:02 a.m.Still-no one mentions healthcare reform. Trying to eliminate or downgrade social security and medicaid will do nothing to address the skyrocketing cost of medical.
Tort reform only means a $200 settlement out of court for neglagence.
By the way Bush-medicare and social security are not entitlements-we have them taken out of our paychecks every week.
The entilements are the corporate welfare and the money you ****** away in Iraq.
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doppich
Jan. 3, 2007, 11:11 a.m.Evelyna - It frosts me the way the right wing and their corporate handmaidens (******s was censored) have turned "entitlement" into a pejorative term.
"By the way Bush-medicare and social security are not entitlements-we have them taken out of our paychecks every week."
That is precisely why, after 40-odd years of paying for them, we are "entitled" to them.
"The entilements are the corporate welfare and the money you ****** away in Iraq."
Corporate welfare is a "payoff" or "theft." In no way are they "entitled" to those gifts from the taxpayers. And this war, especially, is a war of Bush's choice, and he is not "entitled" to **** away lives and money based on his brain flatulence.
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copperfloor
Jan. 4, 2007, 3:02 a.m.Hey ikedumbass, the stock market is inherently unstable and a bad investment for those who don't know how it works. Only ten percent of americans invest in the market because only ten percent have that kind of money to risk. All that stupid proposal would have accomplished is focused more money in the hands of the wealthiest americans. There is also the debt that would have been incurred to implement this idiotic idea. Ike you are a true dumbass.
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Newenglander
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:02 a.m.I surmised from reading this article that he will be willing to work with Congress as long as they agree with what he wants to do. The Decider is still the Great Divider.
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Letswakeup
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:04 a.m.Could this guy be for real? The lack of ability to articulate in a public presentation gives way to an "article" with a virtual review of the Bush administration's failed policies. All he did here was put in simplistic terms his own spin on the
what he eroneously perceives as the successes of his presidency.
I am bewildered by his assertion that Americans understand that getting involved abroad makes the world and the US safer. He really must think we are all stupid.
Doppich's comment about the "uniter" emerging the "decider" is a riot!
I thank you for that creative comment.
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mozzer
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:08 a.m.I love the pic accompanying the article.
It looks like Bush is saying, "I betcha I can touch my eyeball with this finger. Ya dare me? $5 says I can stay the course and poke my eyeball."
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mozzer
Jan. 3, 2007, 11:31 a.m.If you're saying we're alike in thinking, then I'm honored to be with such esteemed company, political affiliations be dammned! :D
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copperfloor
Jan. 4, 2007, 3:08 a.m.Luvmyprez teeeheeeee Girl you soooooooooooooooo funny! Hahahahahahehehehehe as if a democrat could ever do anything better than Bushy and the gang, hehehehehahahaha. C'mon girly you know its time to get on and worship Bush, Cheney and the republican christian God of war.
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Letswakeup
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:11 a.m.Mozzer, I have just caught my breath from laughing over your finger to the eyeball comment. That is how clueless Bush is! He may as well be thinking about something else because he hasn't said one original thing in six years! You are a crack up!
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mozzer
Jan. 3, 2007, 11:25 a.m.If I can be serious for just a moment...
He's saying all the right things in the Op-Ed. I sincerely hope it is put into practice. I've put away the pessimism and now pray for some positive changes during the 110th congress.
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walden3
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:23 a.m.i wish what my mother always wished for me and my brother with our kids.
may the democratic congress behave no worse than the republicans did.
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random1734
Jan. 3, 2007, 12:15 p.m.Walden3
May they behave a lot better than the Republicans did. The Repubs ate the cash cow rather than milking it.
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pattif
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:26 a.m.Hopefully these newly elected people can do something. Something would be better than the nothing good Bush has done for this country and the everything bad that he has.
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Letswakeup
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:36 a.m.I see your point Pattif and I agree with you wholeheartedly.
One problem-- if I am reading Bush correctly he is going to continue to "require" congress to do things his way and stay the course on his pet projects. I don't hear him saying in the story above or what I just heard him state on CNN, that he is interested in any new ideas. Introducing a line-item veto isn't exactly a symbolic gesture of wanting to work with the new house and senate leadership.
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HomeGManComment has been removed: User banned.
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B737Tech
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:45 a.m.It'll take Congress 10 years to straighten out what Bush has screwed up in the last 6 years. The voters of this country need to hold all of their collective feet to the fire!!!
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AJaye
Jan. 3, 2007, 10:59 a.m.The best thing Bush can do for America is to stay home and do nothing...He has spent more money then all other Presidents combined...Has out sourced our jobs and says its good for America...He is our first true New World Order President... Hope he is the last...Am afraid it is too late... We the people have to have passports to go to Mexico&Canada..15-20 million illegals have none.. .Is a money making $ 100.00 plus I will not go to either anymore..Been to Mexico 2X and Canada a couple times a year... Now Saddam is kaput and gone to his virgins..We should have no reason to stay in Iraq...Bush should have to account for all monies spent there...If he cannot impeach him and put him to jail and confiscate all his assets..
BOO BUSH
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Searunner52
Jan. 3, 2007, 11:13 a.m.The best thing that this new Congress can do is impeach this SOB and Dick Cheney as well!
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pattif
Jan. 3, 2007, 11:14 a.m.Not me, no collective feet here. Did not, would not, vote for that idiot. Do not include us all.
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samsara15
Jan. 3, 2007, 11:17 a.m.Bush's idea of bipartisanship is Congress does whatever he tells them to do. The best bet for Congress is to go their own way, ignore him, and let him veto their actions. Not much will get done, but maybe they can minimize the harm done by Bush's future and existing screw ups.
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RunNJump
Jan. 3, 2007, 11:22 a.m.The parts he left out...
"My principles are no secret.(I have none) I have campaigned on them in my races for governor and in two presidential contests(Thank God for Diebold), and I have worked hard during my presidency to translate these principles into sound policy."(That benefit me and my friends)...
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NelsonR
Jan. 3, 2007, 11:28 a.m.What can I add? Bush has not been a role model to emulate for future leaders.
But do not blame him for everything. I will defend him here since the do nothing Congress and Senate the American electorate continues to elect should hold some responsibility. Why are these high paid, benefit deadbeats always re-elected. Now here is the real blame VOTERS.
OOps, I'm just watching Pat Robertson on the boob tube with his latest revelation from god who just spoke to him. Scare tactics to re elect a Republican. I wish god would talk to me also!!
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HomeGManComment has been removed: User banned.
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