Republican advisors warn of '06 rout in Congress
Josh Gerstein of the New York Sun writes: A longtime adviser to GOP candidates, Michael Murphy, said Republicans running for office at the state level might escape voters' wrath, but the party's congressional candidates could experience an anti-incumbent rout on par with that suffered by Democrats in 1994. "Federally, it could be very bad," Mr. Murphy predicted. He described as "horrible" current poll numbers about the country's direction.
But, here's the deal. Democrats are going to claim victory over Republicans claiming their wins are a result of American confidence in Democrats. This proclamation by Democrats that they are better to lead this country is a complete misrepresentation of what is happening in America. The anti-incumbent mood of Americans must not be aimed at just the Republicans. Polls show the public's confidence with the Democratic Party is lower than with Republicans. That is why we at Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy must get out there to set the record straight. The anti-incumbency will of the American people reflects a deep disappointment and distrust of both Republican and Democratic incumbents and parties.
We at VOID must do our level best to encourage such voters to exercise another choice in 2006. If the only two candidates running are a Democrat and Republican, we advocate voting for the challenger. However, if there is another candidate, a third party or independent candidate, we strongly advise voters to oppose both Republican and Democratic candidates as a way of sending the message that we support neither the incumbent
Democratic or Republican parties until we see America's problems being solved.
Some will fear voting an unknown candidate outside of the Democratic or Republican parties. But, in reality, how likely is an unknown independent or third party candidate to win against the money and election machinery behind the Democratic and Republican candidates? Extremely small. Therefore, it really is safe to send the message of discontent with both the incumbent parties with a vote for an unknown challenger. The message communicated by statistics that show a rising American vote against both Democrats and Republicans is what will force Democrats and Republicans to address the American voters concerns.
If given the choice to vote both Democrats and Republicans, incumbents and challengers, out of office, we advocate doing so with a vote for a third party or independent candidate. We advocate this, not in support of independents or third parties. We advocate this as a means of communicating to ALL politicians that we no longer accept the corrupt and damaging influences of money and lobbyists, representing extremely small numbers of persons, dictating legislation in Congress over and beyond what will be good for the majority of Americans and our nation's future. The message will be read in the post election statistics.
Don't just vote out the incumbent: if a third party or independent candidate gives you a choice, vote for them and against the Republocrats, incumbent or not. This will most effectively communicate through post election statistics, a growing dissatisfaction with the way both Democrat and Repubilcan incumbents are conducting our business in Washington D.C.
Comments
This is very encouraging news.
Posted by: steve smith | December 5, 2005 11:07 AM
Good article.
The two main parties (who just take turns being irresponsible and unaccountable) are creating an unusual opportunity for 3rd party and Independent candidates.
A few naysayers try to allege (without doing the research first) that some good politicians exist. But, no one yet can provide a list of more that 2 or 3 names (much less 10, 20, 50, or 268 (half) of the 535 incumbents in Congress). And, when someone did provide one or two names, they seemed surprised when the voting records, history, and headlines of those few politicians were posted for all to see. They all suddenly lost the desire to defend their favorite politician. After researching several hundred Congress persons (especially a very few that seemed to be the best, most honest, and most responsible), it is clear that 99% of incumbents are all irresponsible and unaccountable. The proof of it is substantial.
It is also clear that the bar is set extremely low.
It is amazing at what they all consider acceptable behavior. It appears that the system is so corrupt and dysfunctional, that newcomers are quickly seduced by the many pressures and tempations.
For those trying to list a few responsible politicians, they should probably try to find some that aren't on the following list:
__________OUR U.$. CONGRESS_________________
7 that have been arrested for fraud;
19 have been accused of writing bad checks;
117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses;
3 have done time for assault;
71, repeat 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit;
14 have been arrested on drug-related charges;
8 have been arrested for shoplifting;
21 currently are defendants in lawsuits;
84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year;
________________________________________
Then, they should check Citizens Against Government Waste, because many have won a spot on the Porker-Of-The-Month-Awards list.
And then, you have to look at their voting records. That is very enlightening. It's hard to understand why they vote the way they do.
Just consider some of these examples of the difficult decisions Congress makes:
___________________
[] Vote for $107,000 to study the sex life of the Japanese quail or Vote for body armor for troops with armor ?
[] Vote for $1.2 million to study the breeding habits of the woodchuck or more funding for disabled veterans ?
[] Vote for $150,000 to study the Hatfield-McCoy feud or more armor for humvees and military vehicles ?
. . . see more here . . . or . . .here.
[] Vote for $1 million for a Seafood Consumer Center or reform our ridiculous tax system ?
[] $57,000 spent by the Executive Branch for gold-embossed playing cards on Air Force Two or more and better weapons and armor for active duty troops.
____________________________________
None of that (above) strikes me as responsible and accountable.
The fact is, it's nearly (if not completely) impossible to find any politicians that are responsible and accountable.
But, the main fact revealed by all of the above, is that voters can not determine who is or isn't responsible and accountable.
The Voters can tell why any incumbent voted for or against a 10,000 page BILL. Incumbents have (by design) over-complicated things for the purpose of abusing them.
Thus, this is the most important reason why voters should continue to vote out incumbents, until they agree to implement transparency.
This will lead to a more honest, responsible, and accountable government.
Transparency will yield Accountability which will yield Responsibility.
Transparency is the next important step after getting the attention of the corrupt, irresponsible incumbents.
Government will not reform itself.
Force is required, and the voters can do that peacefully by simply voting out irresponsible incumbents, which is the simple, right, responsible thing that voters should have been doing all along.
Posted by: d.a.n | December 5, 2005 11:15 AM