Looking at the numbers, what is shocking is that only 3 Senators have larger negatives than positives. Let’s face it, Republican or Democrat, these people are terrible. Where have they been on,
1. Social Security Reform
2. Healthcare Reform
3. Energy Reform
4. Balanced Budget
5. Immigration Reform
These people have been out-to-lunch on the issues that matter the most to us, the people, and we are stupid enough to give them a free pass.
Social Security– Has all those IOUs from the many years that there was a surplus of SS payments in that will need to come out of general revenues in order to pay back (if individuals have to pay their debts back then so does the Gov).
Healthcare Reform–tried it in the 90’s, caused a massive backlash amongst the public who like the current system. Better to let the states handle this.
Energy Reform–I think the market will handle this one. As the price of oil rises, alternatives become more attractive.
Balanced Budget–Not while we’re paying 1 trillion
dollars for Iraq and lowering taxes.
Immigration Reform–Not likely. The current system is working for too many employers and industries.
What would my list be?
1. Get us out of Iraq without leaving the area hideously unstable.
2. Concentrate on actually winning, stabilizing, and modernizing Afghanistan.
3. Laws banning torture and mistreatment.
4. Laws banning rendition to foreign lands so they can torture suspects. If it was an outrage at the time of Magna Carta, it’s an outrage now.
This is what I do not understand…
Iraq, we are fighting terrorists there. When we leave, if we have not taken them out, where do you think that they will go? I will give you a hint, it will not be back home to watch the NBA playoffs.
These people are cutting the heads off of their captives and you care about banning mistreatment?
Please. If we do not fix the healthcare system, our economy will fall apart within 5-years, and you want to make certain that we treat the people that have vowed to kill Jews and Christians, people that think that it is the best thing ever to have a child of theirs die a martyr killing Christians…you care more about treating them fairly than dealing with our economy and our way of life?
With logical thinking like this, it is no wonder that Dick Durbin has good numbers.
Actually, there is a pretty big difference. Sen. Durbin’s are definitely in the bottom half of the Senate.
The real interesting thing about that list was Sen. Allen from VA. He wants to be President (and right now, the smart money — mine — says he will end up being the GOP nominee) but his numbers are pretty low. Allen has got to focus on winning his Senate race first, and then he can turn focus his Bush II-like empty-headed big government conservative views on the rest of the nation.
Fleshing out my last comment:
When you sort by net approval, Sen. Durbin is ranked 61. He’s got time though. On the other hand, in state that is trending Blue, Allen is at a tie for 73. We saw what the Warner team can do there. Can Webb do the same thing? Does this remind anybody of Paul Laxalt?
Skeeter –
Durbin’s numbers are good given that he’s in leadership and forced to be the party’s face on several hot button issues. Check out Reid, Frist and McConnell. All are very similar. The new issue of Time Magazine lists him as “One of the 10 Best Senators”. I agree.
Observer…I know you think you somehow are smarter than the ‘American Voter’ so this may be a shock to you but other people have different views on what is important and how to fix problems. Clearly people have different views than you by looking at the polls. But I guess they are all dumb voters like everyone else but you.
- Observer-2-all - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 7:32 am:
Looking at the numbers, what is shocking is that only 3 Senators have larger negatives than positives. Let’s face it, Republican or Democrat, these people are terrible. Where have they been on,
1. Social Security Reform
2. Healthcare Reform
3. Energy Reform
4. Balanced Budget
5. Immigration Reform
These people have been out-to-lunch on the issues that matter the most to us, the people, and we are stupid enough to give them a free pass.
Shame on the American voter!
- cermak_rd - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 8:07 am:
Hmm, those wouldn’t be my issues because:
Social Security– Has all those IOUs from the many years that there was a surplus of SS payments in that will need to come out of general revenues in order to pay back (if individuals have to pay their debts back then so does the Gov).
Healthcare Reform–tried it in the 90’s, caused a massive backlash amongst the public who like the current system. Better to let the states handle this.
Energy Reform–I think the market will handle this one. As the price of oil rises, alternatives become more attractive.
Balanced Budget–Not while we’re paying 1 trillion
dollars for Iraq and lowering taxes.
Immigration Reform–Not likely. The current system is working for too many employers and industries.
What would my list be?
1. Get us out of Iraq without leaving the area hideously unstable.
2. Concentrate on actually winning, stabilizing, and modernizing Afghanistan.
3. Laws banning torture and mistreatment.
4. Laws banning rendition to foreign lands so they can torture suspects. If it was an outrage at the time of Magna Carta, it’s an outrage now.
- Observer-2-all - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 8:44 am:
This is what I do not understand…
Iraq, we are fighting terrorists there. When we leave, if we have not taken them out, where do you think that they will go? I will give you a hint, it will not be back home to watch the NBA playoffs.
These people are cutting the heads off of their captives and you care about banning mistreatment?
Please. If we do not fix the healthcare system, our economy will fall apart within 5-years, and you want to make certain that we treat the people that have vowed to kill Jews and Christians, people that think that it is the best thing ever to have a child of theirs die a martyr killing Christians…you care more about treating them fairly than dealing with our economy and our way of life?
With logical thinking like this, it is no wonder that Dick Durbin has good numbers.
- Wumpus - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 9:50 am:
Yay, balanced budget! Let’s spen 10 times more and tax 12 times more!!! Who cares as long as the budget is balanced?
- Skeeter - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 9:57 am:
Actually, there is a pretty big difference. Sen. Durbin’s are definitely in the bottom half of the Senate.
The real interesting thing about that list was Sen. Allen from VA. He wants to be President (and right now, the smart money — mine — says he will end up being the GOP nominee) but his numbers are pretty low. Allen has got to focus on winning his Senate race first, and then he can turn focus his Bush II-like empty-headed big government conservative views on the rest of the nation.
- Skeeter - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 10:01 am:
Fleshing out my last comment:
When you sort by net approval, Sen. Durbin is ranked 61. He’s got time though. On the other hand, in state that is trending Blue, Allen is at a tie for 73. We saw what the Warner team can do there. Can Webb do the same thing? Does this remind anybody of Paul Laxalt?
- bookworm - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 10:58 am:
No big surprise. They’re both doing a good job.
Skeeter –
Durbin’s numbers are good given that he’s in leadership and forced to be the party’s face on several hot button issues. Check out Reid, Frist and McConnell. All are very similar. The new issue of Time Magazine lists him as “One of the 10 Best Senators”. I agree.
- Big Mike - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 1:11 pm:
Observer…I know you think you somehow are smarter than the ‘American Voter’ so this may be a shock to you but other people have different views on what is important and how to fix problems. Clearly people have different views than you by looking at the polls. But I guess they are all dumb voters like everyone else but you.