OT: Incredibly COOL Policy Wonk Repeat on CSPAN 2 Tonight!

[Luftmensch067]

I caught this over vacation verrrry early one morning and just sat in awe through the whole thing, not daring to breathe for the sheer joy of seeing politicians DOING THEIR JOB. Thrilled that it's being repeated tonight so I can tape it! This was a group setting forth 14 points for reform which they plan to build support for, first among Democrats and, they hope, eventually, Republicans.

According to the schedule this is being aired tonight at 11:37 pm and 4:42 am Eastern time.

Forum
Congressional Reform
Center for American Progress
Washington, District of Columbia (United States)
ID: 190189 - 12/05/2005 - 1:26 - $45.00

Obey, David R., U.S. Representative, D-WI
Frank, Barney, U.S. Representative, D-MA
Allen, Thomas, U.S. Representative, D-ME
Price, David E., U.S. Representative, D, North Carolina
Ornstein, Norman J., Trustee, U.S. Capitol Historical Society
Lilly, Scott, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

Moderated by Mr. Lilly, congressional Democrats and others talked about proposed changes in the rules and procedures of the U.S. House of Representatives. Among the topics they addressed were various legislative proposals made in the 109th Congress, parliamentary rules and procedures used by the Republican majority to block proposals or avoid some votes on issues, the role of Congress in maintaining a balance of power in the constitutional system, and the likely impact or ne public policy-making procedures. They also talked about instances when votes had been held open for several hours to obtain a majority, exclusion of minority members from committee conferences, and examples of partisan interests overcoming traditionally transparent lawmaking.

[TayTay]

1. I saw parts of that forum

and it was terrific. I also highly recommend giving it a look/see. Thanks!

[Luftmensch067]

2. JUST as awesome this time, too!

Whether you got to catch it or not, I would ask you to call your member of Congress (and if you know anyone with a Republican Congressperson, even better, ask them to do this, too!) and ask him or her to support the House "Rules Package" being worked on by members of the Democratic Caucus. This is what the woman in Barney Frank's office said when I called her the other day to ask how I could help move this along. These guys are working to heal the Congress because they believe in it; I feel like the least I can do is try to help at the grassroots level, even if it's a tiny effort!

Many people here know more about politics than I do, so please add to this if you can see a better way to help build support for these proposed 14 rules changes.

If you missed this, I hope they will put it in the C-SPAN video archive -- I can't find it there yet, alas.

[TayTay]

3. See David Brooks column in Today's NYT

Brooks, weasel that he is, advises Republicans to outright steal these ideas.

We really need to review these hearings again. It sounds like what the Dems will be pushing in the '06 elections.


Imagine that, these ideas are so squeaky clean good that Rethugs want to steal them (and no doubt water them down.)

[Luftmensch067]

4. Thanks, Tay

I'll have a look. Yes, this would be their pattern. F**k things up and then try to take credit for saying they should be fixed! Take credit and then do nothing, of course...