Why bother with "debate " in congress? They don't change anyone's mind with all the speeches.

[AlinPA]

They vote the way they are told by their party, or by who bribed them or their financial contributors. It is a total waste of time.

[quinnox]

1. Yea, true

But I guess they think some people might be impressed watching on tv land when they make their speeches so its mainly for public consumption, not to mention I'm sure some of those ego maniacs enjoy it because it massages their huge egos.

[blkmusclmachine]

2. Staged. They're just going through the motions. Language of the final legislation was written months

ago.

[Gamow]

3. Its all recorded while in session isn't it? Maybe they are just getting it all on official record?

I dunno, just a guess. Not sure what records are kept.

[AlinPA]

4. They could submit it in writing and not talk. Often on some issues you hear them say "I request

unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks" whereby the content which is unspoken is put into the record.

[madrchsod]

5. campaign material-youtube videos and sound bites

[damntexdem]

6. But they sometimes get media face time. And besides, ...

they don't want to change minds -- they want to ensure those whose minds are made up that they suppport the ideas in those made-up minds, whether that is actually true or not.

[unblock]

7. all those seats fool you into thinking other congresscritters are the audience

all those seats are just for other congresscritters waiting their turn to speak.


the audience is the the press corp, the cameras, or sometimes just the congressional record.