Congress and Domestic Policy

Let's look at Fantasy Congress.

More depressing budget numbers.

Opinion on social security reform.

The issue-attention cycle

The Political Figure Four Leg Lock

Congresswoman Sue Myrick knows what her constituents care about. In the midst of terrorism, a looming recession, and the Iraq War, Myrick speaks to the floor about the greatest injustice of all: at Wrestlemania, Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair and ended his career. After 36 years of being the limousine riding, jet flying, kissing stealing, wheeling dealing son of a gun, Mr. Flair retired. I can think of no one in the entire country more deserving of commendation than the Nature Boy.
WHOOOOOOOOOO!

Approval ratings

Why does Congress have lower approval ratings than President Bush?

Pelosi fights for the farm bill

The Senate wants tax cuts, Pelosi wants to feed babies...

Congress, Carter, and Hamas

Article about the current event mentioned in class on Monday. Is Carter being appropriate by meeting with Hamas' leader? Is Congress' delegation being appropriate by condemning him?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351313,00.html

Congress and Economic Policy

Here are a whole bunch of slides.

And a stage-setter for the discussion of the budget:

A "Key Endorsement"

Hillary, McCain, and the entire cable news juggernaut have been harping for days over the "condescending" remarks Obama made about small town America. I think the comments were pretty benign, but hey. They have to talk about something 24 hrs per day, so why not this?

Amid all of this BS, I enjoyed this little bit of irony: before launching into another segment on Obama's "elitist" attitudes, MSNBC News anchor Tamryn Hall announced a "Key Endorsement" for Obama from.... Dan Rooney. (for non sports fans, Dan Rooney is the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you knew that already, I apologize for my blatant elitism)

I enjoy a world where cable news feels that Pennsylvania voters are too sophisticated for Obama's remarks on economic frustrations, but they are simple enough that DAN ROONEY is a "Key Endorsement".

Maybe Obama should amend his remarks to say that when there is economic hardship, rural voters cling to things like religion, guns, and NFL team owners.