Did your opinion change during the course of the Senate/House debates?

[mdhunter]

If not, then why would we expect anyone else's to?

Today I totally lost faith.

Yes, it's great that some Democrats cared enough to speak out - but the underlying system betrayed itself to me today, it said, loud and clear, "I am beyond repair."

The very nature of political "debate" in this country is dead. Look at these assholes, both sides, getting up and pontificating, letting loose their prepared speeches. There is no debate, their handlers, all, have decided. There is no Lincoln-Douglas happening here, there is no attempt to lay out facts, challenge others' opinions, to refute carefully crafted arguments. I saw little, if any, struggle for truth today - and I am deeply saddened by it.

Democracy dies when the ability to challenge falsehoods no longer exists. I fear that day is upon us.

*EDIT* Please note, that I'm pleased that the ball is rolling on electoral reform. Today was a victory if only because it shows at least that our representatives can be responsive to us. Still, I lament the U.S. political system's structure, that seems, to me, to foster complacency rather than progress.

[Rainbowreflect]

1. I do not think you question is fair.

Most of the people here have researched and know what is going on. We need the people who hear nothing but MSM to learn what is happening.

[mdhunter]

2. Oh, I don't either.

It was a lament on the absurdity of "debate" in the houses. The issues needs airing, no doubt, but would that both sides actually strived to understand each other to forge ahead in the matter, rather than just pissing all over each other.

[RoyGBiv]

3. Just a note ...

Kinda off the subject, but since you mentioned it...

Both Lincoln and Douglas certainly prepared their speeches. They didn't have teleprompters, of course, which led to a bit more extemporaneous commentary from time to time. However, each of these politicians, among the most effective of their day, spent hours, days, sometimes weeks to prepare their presentations.

Pontificating, as you put it, is as old as politics itself.

[mdhunter]

4. True

They prepared that which they wanted to say, but they were forced, due to the format to respond directly to their challengers statements. They needed to be masters of the subject prior to being masters of the presentation.

Do you think we'll ever get back their again? I think probably not, perhaps things are too technical these days. But, out of 100 Senators let some specialize in medicine, some in trade, some in technology, what have you and let them speak for the party when the time comes. I'm not sure that everyone needs to jump up and throw in their ignorant two cents.

Of course, everyone has the right to speak - but let's not confuse that by thinking that everyone's speech carries equal weight. Were that so, I'd be in love with George Bush by now.

[EC]

5. We'll have to see how MSM writes it up

and did the Dems give out press packages with the case being made and the testimony of what happened in Ohio?