Apparently a lot of Dem Senators think voting for telco amnesty is a safe thing...

[joeybee12]

...I'm trying to figure out their reasoning behind this. The usual DINO's like Landrieu voted for amnesty, but there were 17 Dems to cross over. Why? I mean, to me it's a no-brainer that it's a reprehensible thing to let someone off whose broken the law. Has anyone figured out what their justification is for this vote? Seriously, are we here at DU that out of touch with what the DINOs think their constituents want, or are the DINOS so out of touch and will pay later?

[Winterblues]

Democrats in Congress feel there is nothing they can do that will hurt them

What are you going to do, vote Republican? :shrug: They have us by the short hairs and they damn well know it..

[joeybee12]

4. Yeah, but with a pattern like this, don't you think it will hurt come November

when Independents don't go dem because they see no difference?

[villager]

1. and so far, pissing in the faces of the voters has been an entirely safe thing for them to do

Do they even get seriously challenged in the primaries?

[joeybee12]

2. Yeah, we get pissed at particular Senators...

...but still their own constituents in their particular state like them. Hmmm

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

3. This issue hasn't been widely publicized

and so there isn't much public pressure on either side. I would be willing to bet many of those who voted for immunity have received donations from the telecom industry, and are loathe to end that gravy train.

If the media would do their job, there would be more public outrage over this, and congress might have the balls to vote the right way.

[joeybee12]

5. True...we tend to get our news here...

...and the general public gets it from GE.

[yardwork]

10. Bingo. That's it exactly.

[joeybee12]

13. Bingo! Do I win anything???? n/t

[yardwork]

15. Just the sad knowledge that our media is owned and operated by the corporations

that benefit greatly from Republicans.

[joeybee12]

18. It pretty much has always been that way...

...but now the proliferation of media is making it harder to fight.

Do I get another choice as to my prize???

[joeybee12]

6. True...we tend to get our news here...

...and the general public gets it from GE.

[Kittycat]

8. Power play as well. They know a democratic president is on the horizon.

Do you think they'll do anything to jeopardize possibly losing the powers the current admin* has in place? No, they want the control now.

[tularetom]

7. Getting campaign contributions from the telcos is safe

as long as they vote the "correct" way on issues affecting those telcos. To these Dems money talks and bullshit walks and unfortunately all we can offer them (in their view is bullshit.

[L. Coyote]

9. Are they thinking, "Anarchy will be much more fun." or what. I say respect the law

even if you are powerful and connected.

[joeybee12]

17. Remeber Lisa simpson saying something about laws were made just

to keep the rich and powerful in their place? Or soemthing like that. Damn, it sucks when a cartoon is more on the ball than our media.

[L. Coyote]

21. The media is on the ball, but not on our dime! On the wrong ball

They are doing an excellent job of propaganda!

[ulysses]

11. of course it's safe!

No one's holding them accountable to any damned thing else!

[Andy823]

12. Do you know which ones crossed over?

If anyone know which ones voted in favor of the telco amnesty, could they please post the names?

[joeybee12]

14. Landrieu, bayh, McCaskill, DiFi, Rockerfeller, Nelson...

...that's off the top of my head. There's 10 more. Oh, what's her face from maryland.

[AndyTiedye]

16. Safer Than Risking Having Their Phone Calls Played on the Evening News

They are being blackmailed. What do you THINK the "other secret program" that they couldn't talk to FISA judges about is?

[joeybee12]

20. I'll alwys remember how the intelligence community worked against

Carter...they have their ways!

[yardwork]

22. I remember that too. Remember the rabbit?

[joeybee12]

23. Yeah...but I'm thinking more October Surprise. n/t

[spanone]

19. campaign contributions

[Jeffersons Ghost]

24. they won't pay later... focus of most Americans is on the economy

few citizens in mainstream America care at all