Ultimately why wont the Democrats vote on use of force prior to election?

[Epidemic]

Is it because they feel that they feel their constituants will not like the way they vote.

Or will they be forced to vote a way they would not due to popular opinion.

Kinda scary in either case.

We know why the Republicans want the vote early. They believe that they are aligned with public opinion and the democrats will be shown to be deviant from their voting bases opinion.

Mind you the democrats can vote either way. I personally believe that they are afraid. They are afraid that they will have to deviate from their beliefs or deviate from the american public.

[Germ]

You pretty much hit the nail on the head. I have always thought that members of the house and senate were there to represent their constituents and vote their constituents beliefs and convictions. A large majority do not, democrats and republicans both.

Epidemic, I assume you mean force against Iraq though you don't state it explicitly. And I assume that this thread was triggered by our recent PMs.

My answer, maybe incorrect, is in three parts:

1) Democrats, by definition, tend to be more liberal, less hawkish, less right wing, yadi yadaa....

2) The GOP is, also by definition, more "nationalistic", conservative and ........

3) With the legislative and executive "legs" belonging to different political ideologies, this discord/disconnect is expected

You already know my personal political affliation so you can see I am trying to be impartial and even self-critical.

This process, if we label it a process, is natural in a democracy and will eventually lead to a political consensus despite the bipartisanship currently being displayed by both sides.

Ultimately, they are not really adversaries but politicians as I have repeatedly told you and the players will play out the game.

[CERuppel]

My view is that both sides will put off any decisive vote untill after the election.

Why?

Because they are all politions.

And by putting off the vote they can promise both sides of this issue.

And then not be held accountable after the election. After all, a polititions voting record isn't something that can be traced easily by the voting public.

Every election the same sort of dumb stunt gets pulled. A crisis of some (popular) sort is drawn out in the media. The polititions all line up to smear each other on this one issue. And they put off any real decision until after the election. Meanwhile anyone affected by this years 'issue' is just plain out of luck...

When will real accountablity be put into politics?

The simple answer is never. Because as soon as it becomes accountable it is no longer politics.

[Epidemic]

They might be less hawkish less right wing yada yada. But specifically why are they trying to avoid a vote. If their ideologies are shound then the should proudly vote the conscience.

If they believe that action against Iraq is wrong then that is how they should vote. The people should know if their politicians are for or against what they believe is right.

To try and delay personal opinion by delaying vote means that you know that your ideology is not in sync with your voting base.

Vote your belief and let the chips fall where they may. I am sick of this political engineering that is performed.

the democrats are much better at it than republicans. I remember a few terms ago a sitting president who was being lambasted by a congress that would not put a bill before him that was acceptable. They used the press to pressure the president to knuckle under as the budget impass ran on and on. They knew that he could not let the government run forever with out a budget. So Bush the first so broke down and was forced to recind a promise. The democrats beat him up as the budget impass. and then they beat him up as the president who said no new taxes and then implemented new taxes.

Democrats are very good at swaying public opinion. I feel republicans are not quite as good at snake oil sales.


Politics needs alot less politics and more accountability.

I want each politician to provide a firm platform in written format.

I (said politician) have the following positions on the following

1) Abortion I feel abortion is.
a crime and should never be allowed
or allowed in cases of incest
or perhaps a womans choice between her and her god.

2) I feel that the USA imigration policy is
In need of an overhaul and should be more restrictive
or I wan't no borders and no immigration policy.
or what ever...

3) 2nd amendment means that:
You have the right to keep and bear arms unless you forfiet
That right through criminal act or threat of same or mental
problems.

or only the army and police should have guns and in some
cases hunt clubs under controlled circumstances.

After they lay out their platform they may change it at any time but they should explain their change of heart.

All votes should be open in congress and peoples voting records posted on the internet. Where the congressman may explain the pork that mad them have to vote against the main bill. Or simply why they voted the way they did.

All I ask for is accountability. Political people should be measured against their platform.


That is funny you mention that Ceruppel I wrote my post before I read yours.