Has Congress run out of ideas?

[rucky]

September/October would be a great time for them to roll out an ambitious plan - for jobs, energy, equal rights, election reform. Something. Anything. Anything that'll get voters engaged again. Say what you want about how healthcare and even banking reform turned out, at least it got people talking about the issues, talking about the best way to solve a problem, and supporting and criticising ideas.

Are the Democrats counting on fears of GOP takeovers as the sole strategy to hold our majority this November? I haven't heard what we are to expect in the second half of the term. Jobs seems dead in the water, with congress hesitant to bring up a second stimulus. Energy - same. DADT repeal seems to be stuck in neutral. Campaign reform, well, that doesn't even seem to be on the table.

Of course any plan unveiled would be met with "budget concerns". So how about cutting the defense budget? That seems to be off the table as well.

So what, besides fear, do voters have to go on? Do you think there'll be an ambitious plan unveiled, as an October Surprise? What will be the issue that brings us to the polls?

[customerserviceguy]

1. Nothing will be accomplished by Congress

from this weekend to Election Day, it's the height of campaign season. Certainly, no new initiatives that will inevitably piss off somebody will be introduced.

What they've already accomplished, failed to accomplish, or accomplished badly is what they have to run on at this point. We'll see how that turns out, and just how many will be in lame duck status, ready to vote in favor of the recommendations of the Simpson commission.

[IndianaJoe]

2. My guess is more stalemate and the problems of the

country won't get addressed. Ideas abound. Nothing important gets implemented.

[RC]

3. Between the DINO's and the Republicans, you talk of ideas?

Don't think so. The only thing keep us from going over the right edge is a little bit of friction and inertia.

[gophates]

6. The minority is incapable of ideas. Their thoughts are little more than grunts.

Unfortunately, the supposed majority in Congress wants to be just like them.

[kentuck]

4. Taxcuts !

for small business, not big business.

[rucky]

5. Well...

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