Question concerning Dem 'cong and Senate

[A wise Man]

Does the democratic house and senate have the power to do anything concerning this administration and the sorry state of the economy and the deterioration of America's place in the world or not???

[depakid]

1. Sure they do- and they always did

Yet a significant number of their members repeatedly legitimized and enabled the far right- voting for their legislation and confirming their nominees.

Power? of course they had and have the power- but they lack the will.

[WCGreen]

2. They don't hae the votes to override a veto....

Plain and simple...

[A wise Man]

3. It isn't just the Gonzo thing

It's about virtually every hearing they've had with facts and reason without results.

[WCGreen]

5. The hearings are fine....

But when they get action on the floor, the GOP can stall them by not going along at least part way...

[depakid]

7. So that's their only source of power?

Somehow I think history shows us differently.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. very little power, actually

seeing as how they don't have 60 votes in the Senate to move things forward, and they don't have anything approaching a veto-proof majority in either house.

[A wise Man]

6. They are relying on us

to somehow vote the rethugs out while the death tolls for our troops keep raising.

[MonkeyFunk]

9. Huh?

I'm not sure what it is you want.

They don't have the power to do the things you want. Political solutions work on timescales that very disappointing to some, but that's the system we have.

This is Bush's war. The Democrats, and a small but growing number of Republicans, want to end it. It can't be done with the wave of a wand.

I'm continually surprised by the attitudes of some people here - anybody who thought getting 51 Senate seats meant a sweeping reversal of the last 6 years just doesn't understand politics or our government.

[depakid]

8. And how many Congresses have had a veto proof majority?

I guess each and every one of them was just as powerless as this one....

[MonkeyFunk]

10. And how many congresses

have ended a war over the objections of the president?

[depakid]

11. This goes WAY beyond the war

and I think people understand that.

[Hippo_Tron]

13. With an opposition President, the only one I can think of is possibly under Nixon/Ford

Although I don't think Democrats had a veto proof majority, just enough seats to get veto override with Republican help

The Democrats had a veto proof majority for part of the time while FDR was in office, but there was no point because the Presisdent and Congress were from the same party.

[leftofthedial]

12. yes

but they choose not to