Bayh Nails What’s Wrong With Washington: Partisanship, Cynicism

Senator Bayh speaking with George Stephanopoulus

"Until we can change this town, until we reform Congress, as I've indicated to you and others, there's too much brain-dead partisanship, tactical maneuvering for short term political advantage rather than focusing on the greater good. And also just strident ideology. The extremes of both parties have to be willing to accept compromises from time to time to make some progress because some progress for the American people is better than nothing. And all-too often recently, we've been getting nothing."

further commenting that the American people should take a hard look at Congress & decide "There's a lot of good people there. But the folks who are so obviously focused on politics and partisanship, vote them out. The people who are just rigidly ideological, unwilling to accept practical solutions somewhere in the middle, vote them out. And change the rules so that the sensible people who remain can actually get the job done."

one of the most interesting observations Senator Bayh made, "If (voter) frustration continues to grow and the American people say 'a pox on both your houses,' then there's some prospect for a THIRD-PARTY TYPE MOVEMENT," the Democratic senator from Indiana told Good Morning America, "a saner version of (BILLIONAIRE) Ross Perot!!"

in other words - NEITHER LEFT NOR RIGHT AND DEFINITELY NOT EVEN MORE FURTHER TILTED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT - aka moderates

but don't hold your breath - too many ppl have memory lapses from one election year to the next

and in reply to Brian W of the other Washington - "Alas MY Congressperson is one of those RETIRING"

tiger lily of DC 10:35AM February 18, 2010

What people are missing is that healthcare reform is necessary for the stability of our economy.

Besides, why does it have to be either or? Why can't it be both?

Mer of CA 4:45PM February 17, 2010

because we don't see the world in black and white. We don't blindly follow the party line. Republicans rock at politics because they do what they're told and play on the fear of the masses. At the end of the day, the American people pay a hefty price for the ineffectual results of both styles of politics.

I respect the efforts of those who take have attempted to take a civil and forward-looking approach. I respect our President for believing that a reasoned case for change would be all that we needed to hear. I appreciate that he treated as intelligent adults. But, let's face it, we're not. We're all narcissistic impatient children at heart. It's time for our leaders to start shouting louder than the chorus and to expose their lies and fear-mongering.

The last administration's policies did not work. You want evidence? Look around you. Legislation takes years to go into effect and even longer to show results. And, anyone who tells you otherwise has only their own interests at heart. The fact that the republican party continues to tout those old failed policies tells me they don't have the American people's interest at heart. It tells me they see that as the best strategy to get reelected. And, reelection means more money in their pocket and free cadillac healthcare.

Mer of CA 12:40PM February 17, 2010

The obvious answer to the question posed is that there will be A LITERAL ARMY of little Young Republicans eager to go to Washington and join the corporatization of everything in sight---while the people are disillusioned. The author very well knows this---and with that in mind, the article is snarky.

Muser of NM 9:25PM February 16, 2010