Is the weakness of today's Democrats comparable to the weakness of the Weimar Republic?

[villager]

[scarletwoman]

1. I like this poll -- needs a kick up. (nt)

[Maccagirl]

2. I pray we don't have to bear the consequences

but something tells me we are already on the road and it's crunch time. Our "leaders" are pathetic.

[ThomWV]

3. The basic problem with the Wiemar Republic was way to many Partys

It was chaotic and that is what gave Hitler's small party (actually it was not his party, he was assigned to monitor its activities and joined as a result, then took it over) the chance to rise to power.

The Democratic Party in this country is a much different beast than anything that existed then. What we have now is not a party that is defined not by any specific set of values, it is a Party that has not other function than to distribute campaign funds to its seated members.

[daninthemoon]

4. We'll find out for sure in a little over 1 year.

[pinto]

5. No.

[papau]

6. Similiar control by rich and corporate of press in Germany - and the rich like Hitler - in the US we

see a similar change in tone of coverage of our media post Reagan.

I was looking at Peoria, Illinois media coverage of GOP Congressman Ray LaHood over the years - and it is hard to not laugh at such ass kissing, year over year. LaHood is retiring (at over $100,000 per year from Congress) and Democrats do not expect to beat whomever the GOP nominate - and I can see why in such a media market.

As to overlooked slease, our Mr. LaHood admited ‘Playing Politics’ when he asked for intel staffer to be suspended, and at the request of Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL), Intelligence Chairman Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) suspended the Democratic staffer’s access to classified information (Hoekstra saying the suspension would remain in place pending a review to determine if that staffer leaked a classified National Intelligence Estimate to the New York Times).

LaHood told Fox News, “I’ll tell you why I did it. The reason I did it was because Jane Harman released the Duke Cunningham — who sat on our Intelligence committee — report.” That report, which detailed the misconduct of Cunningham, who is now serving a jail term, was not classified. A Fox anchor asked, “So, it’s payback?” LaHood responded, “There are some of us on the other side who can equally play politics, and I’m not afraid to do it.”

There is only a small Cunningham contribution to LaHood of $500 for the primary 10/30/01, but he is deep into the pockets of the rich via PACs, etc.:



The PJS Editorial Board and reporters may kiss Lahood's, but Editorial Cartoonist Scott Shepler doesn't. :-)

Posted elsewhere on the net was this cute summary of LaHood

Top Ten Reasons Why Ray LaHood Wants to Retire From Congress To Become the President Of BU

10. Quite frankly, thirty-one years in Washington is enough. It's time to rub shoulders with the "little people."
9. With Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in charge, there is less opportunity to "reform" ethics rules to protect "my fellow republicans."

8. Has been assured that the BU board will "look the other way" at lobbyist paid vacations to France.

7. The Yellow Elephant College Republicans have promised to be more supportive of my unwavering support of President Bush than my constituents in the Eighteenth District.

6. The 97 days of work in the final session of the 109th Congress took a lot out of him.

5. Congress kept the Congressional Page program in spite of my numerous interviews, so I'm taking my ball and going home!

4. Finally get a chance to build the William F. Cellini School of Ethics, Successful Hotel Management, and Good Government at Bradley University.

3. I want to be Blue Ollie's boss! (a math professor at BU critic on the net of LaHood) and purge the Math Department of one liberal.

2. One of these elections the Democrats are finally going to mount a real campaign.

1. Willy Nilly (another on the net critic of LaHood) won't have Ray LaHood to kick around any more. Who knows, maybe Willy will post again to celebrate!

[villager]

9. LaHood does typify the kind of small-minded martinet who would gladly

...start filling out rosters for cattle cars, if those became the "new orders" from his "party." It's all about "playing politics," doncha know?

[papau]

10. The firsrt debates "how did these folks get elected" rings so true- a corporate way now

invades everything as don't think and don't challenge and don't get out of line or even visible except when you are publically supporting your superiors are the only ways to move up in management and in GOP politics

[msongs]

7. germans were looking for a savior whom "we must trust..." & they got one nt

[Demeter]

8. I Think It Is a Whole Order Worse

Because the weakness stems from selling out, not from the devastation of WWI.

[Disturbed]

11. Our Leaders?

I have been under the impression that people in political offices were our "Representatives". Have I been incorrect all these years?

[villager]

12. well, they're "Representing," all right.

Only, not us.

We've got to "re-true" the system...