Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
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Monday, October 12, 2015
Good For Charlie
Whether it is Harrisburg or Washington, legislators have an obligation to govern, not obstruct. Charlie Dent is one of the few grown-ups left.
44 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
What on earth has happened to the Republican Party?
ReplyDeleteIf the legislators don't agree with the policy, their DUTY is to stop it and propose an alternative.
ReplyDelete@454 Standing up for what they believe, not rolling over. Bi-partisanship works both ways. Something the Democrats don't believe in when it's their way or the "government gets shut down"
ReplyDeleteThe act is that every time the government is shut down, the Democrats and the press howl to high heaven, and in the next election the Republicans in big at the polls.
Bernie, I'm a bit disappointed. I read this blog to learn about local issues. Not see it become just another political blog. There are plenty of those online, but not many about issues that affect us here in the Lehigh Valley.
I hold a much different view on Charlie Dent. He'll receive no more votes from me. The current administration, under Obama, continues to be a "My way, or the highway" regime. It has set back America in many ways.
ReplyDeleteRather than fight to maintain an important balance of power that has seen three co-equal branches of government ensure strength and stability, a weak Charlie Dent quickly folds, as if to say "Come on, folks, the highway ain't so bad."
No thanks.
Fred Windish
Mr. Windish, you're nothing if not predictable and partisan.
ReplyDeleteYawn.
Stopped voting for Charlie when he supported TARP.
ReplyDeletelol- dent calls those in the party who disapproves of Boehner and McCarthy extreme?
ReplyDeleteThis is the same guy, 1 of 3 members of the GOP, yes only 3, who continually votes to support funding for a private industry that kills babies, dismembers babies and sells their body parts.
Get lost Dent. This is the Lehigh Valleys version of Arlen Specter and he too will flip the party. Thank God.
Dent is a RINO and they are becoming endangered species and he knows it and so do all the progressive members of the GOP. That's why he keeps doing interviews on CNN, PBS, MSNBC and so on. Bi-partisanship works both ways in and out of the party.
Now lets see how Charlie is able to think for himself with out being told how to vote by GOP leadership. Dent does not represent the people. He represents the establishment and the same establishment is what has us in the mess we are in today.
Keep voting for TARP, bank bail outs, wall street bail outs, raising the debt ceiling , planned parenthood , pathetic trade agreements that will harm the US workers, funding for illegals, funding for the affordable care act and so on. Yet when it comes time to get elected , some how Charlie flips on how he feels about some of these issues .
Doesn't 'governing' mean voting 'for or against' something? If Charlie is so concerned about 'governing' then he should have pressed Boehner to let his members have votes on the issues of the day, rather than cower in the corner fearing an Obama veto.
ReplyDeleteFred, He's a grown up who is willing to look at both sides of an issue and make up his own mid. He is right of center, strong national defense and pro business.He's 90% what you want. Rejecting him bc he's not 100% what you want him to be is simply ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThis is an informative interview, being that congress has about a 12% approval rating. Just one question for Charlie, Does he think congress needs reform, or are the tactics and rules just wonderful they way they are?
ReplyDeleteI like Dent. He gets his share of criticism from anonymous and named commentators here in the LV, but how can you not find a moderate refreshing when there are like 8 of them left in Congress?
ReplyDeleteCongress has to work together, not at odds at every turn. The Tea Baggers think that "together" means everything happens that their minority wants - which is the definition of not together.
Bernie, I'm a bit disappointed. I read this blog to learn about local issues. Not see it become just another political blog.
ReplyDeleteThen go the hell somewhere else and give THEM your subscription fee. Arse.
Yes, I do speak out on national issues from time to time, and Charlie Dent is in my opinion the best Lehigh Valley has to offer.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I am a fiscal conservative. More importantly, a strong believer in our form of governance as prescribed in the Constitution. At its core is the protection we enjoy with a functioning system of checks and balance.
ReplyDeleteThe current Congress has abdicated power to the Executive Branch. Dent's votes have helped that happen. Our nation is weaker because of people who vote like Charlie Dent. Because of this, I see no purpose in having him in Congress, as compared to someone else. Given a chance to restrict spending, reduce growing government control, and other issues, Dent surrenders every time.
Next time Dent actually has an opponent, that individual will get my support. Until then, I plan to encourage others to do the same. Hopefully, I can swing a couple hundred votes. I am grateful you have presented my views in this forum. I know we differ on Charlie Dent's value.
Fred Windish
I have always respected Dent. He is also consistent. I can remember when he was first running against Driscoll in 2004. One of his campaign themes was that he was able to reach across the isle in Harrisburg to get things done. Its always been his style. Poster 8:03 calls him a RINO. In today's GOP, icon Ronald Reagan would be a RINO. Reagan said he'd rather get 80% of what he wanted rather than go over the cliff with his flag flying. Not the Freedom Caucus. Congressman Brat gave all the talking points I've been hearing Sean Hannity spout on the radio...coming on now. They are willing to shut the govt down, and "let the chips fall where they may." 100% purity, or you might as well be in bed with Lucifer. No compromise...even though they are the minority of the total 435.
ReplyDeleteOne of the real underlying problems, and why such a minority faction can seemingly hold the caucus/chamber in constant crisis mode is how Congressional districts are drawn. Gerrymandering is an age-old bi-partisan disease. But today, so many of these folks are in such "safe" districts that really DON'T represent the populace at-large, that they can afford--in fact are rewarded--to be rigid. Nationwide there should be non-partisan independent commissions that draw districts purely by population w/out regard to voter registration numbers. This will never happen until the voters get sick enough, but only then would we truly get "representatives" of the people instead of parties picking their voters when the redistrict.
"aisle" not "isle"
ReplyDelete"Congressman Brat"
ReplyDeleteWhat an appropriate name!
Fred, ASs you know, your views are always welcome, even when we disagree.
ReplyDeleteanon 8:03 and some others constantly use broad statements to define policy. Spouting how in the last eight years the Congress has "abdicated power". What the Hell does that even mean? Ever since the Presidency was created every President has pushed their power. As the nation grew and things became more complicated the Presidency became more and more the bully pulpit of America. Particularly in the nuclear age. The one elected official who truly represent "all" the people of this large and great nation. We are a Republic, a United Sates, not a confederacy, sorry teaer party.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at the lack of any historical perspective of some of these commenters. Now that we have a la carte news, they only listen to Fox to hear exactly what they want to believe. They read Limbaugh/Hannity approved books on history that are just jokes. There soon will be a Kennedy Assassination Conspiracy channel to cater to those whackos.
Compromise is the key to our Republic and has been since the founding of the nation. Without it there would be no Declaration of Independence and absolutely no Constitution. Grow the Hell up already. The constitution is not the ten commandments but a living document and the best framework of a free people to grow and thrive together. The reality of governing over 300 million people has to sink in at some point.
All this talk of purity is actually quit scary. If you want purity go to church. Governing is like making sausage. I guess if the government shuts down and the social security and Medicare services stop you tea partiers are OK with that?
I am no fan of Charlie Dent. He is too much the representative of the Chamber of Commerce and less the little guy. However, I think he tries to represent the people as best as he can. He is always willing to listen to your views and knows as the elected representative he represents all the people in his District not just you fifty.
U.S. citizen Joe
"Congressman Brat"
ReplyDeleteWhat an appropriate name!
My thoughts exactly. His hat size must have increased by four when he defeated Cantor.
Just exactly how long has Establishment Charlie been a U.S. Congressman?
ReplyDeleteI ask this as a proud Conservative, knowing that our Founding Fathers did NOT want a bunch of professional politicians ... and that Dent is a professional politician.
Since you bring up the Founding Fathers, let me quote from Madison Federalist Paper 10, amazingly written in 1787:
ReplyDelete“faction is part of the very nature of man…. Mankind’s propensity toward mutual animosities make even frivolous and insubstantial differences a sufficient excuse to kindle unfriendly passions and excite violent conflicts. But the most durable source of factions is the unequal distribution of property. Those who have property and those who are without property always have different interests….. The regulation of these various and conflicting interests is the principle task of modern legislation.”...
“If a faction isn’t a majority, relief comes from the republican principle that enables the majority to defeat sinister views by vote. The minority faction (not unlike Freedom Caucus) may clog the government systems and convulse society, but under the Constitution it can’t execute and mask its violence. When a faction is a majority, popular government enables it to sacrifice public good and the rights of other citizens to their passions and interests.”...
Madison then went on to defend the proposed large national republic compared to the smaller individual state republics, or likewise pure direct democracies which “are always spectacles of turbulence and contention.”
From my blogger profile:
ReplyDelete"Moderation is important. Nothing is more repugnant than the intolerant spirit that has, at all times, characterized political parties. In politics, as in religion, it's absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution." Fed Paper #1
Right, so exactly how long has Establishment Charlie been feeding at the public trough?
ReplyDeleteAlways remember that one person's "moderate" is another person's professional politician with their finger constantly stuck in the air to see which way the wind is blowing.
And, oh by the way, guiding principles are kinda semi-important, too.
I eagerly await Fred Windys thoughtful insights.
ReplyDeleteBlog Mentor, go tell your employer, or shall I?
ReplyDeleteI saw the show with Dent and the idiot. These are people who thought Cantor was too liberal, really? This Brat guy is an idiot. He sounded like the dumb kid who figures if he learns to talk fast, say many patriotic code words and be sarcastic, he is important. What an ass. I thought I would never ever would have said this but next to the Brat, Dent came off as Presidential.
ReplyDeleteThat guy is a tool. Good one Kentucky. You know just because you form stupid fraternities that all start with words like, Constitution, Liberty, Freedom and etc. It doesn't make it so.
What a bunch of uneducated historically tone deaf dummies. Read a real history book by a real historian and not Coulter of some political hack.
Anon 4:04 and Ovem are right on with history and common sense. The tea party is just nutsy.
Look at Northampton County, they elected their tea party county council. In the first year they all voted for a ten percent tax increase and their top candidate wanted 20%. They are all in he bag for the county executive. Leadership??? Are you people for real.
Get a puppy or a life. In the meantime please take your medication.
Why are you so angry and full of hate, 11:53?
ReplyDeleteSometimes when the truth hurts, it can be mis-c9onstrued as hate.
ReplyDeleteSorry, you feel that way.
BM has gone after lots of other people's employers on his enemies list. He can't complain when it happens to him. I wonder if he's ready?
ReplyDeleteDent sucks up money from many contributors in business he bvotes foir. Does BO think its bad like Pawlowski. Not a chance.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete11:56-
Never debate an uneducated party zealot. You can't get past the juvenile name-calling and bully posturing.
Fred Windish
Sadly Fed, it is impossible to have a substantive debate or better yet a discussion with fanatics. The tea party has no real historical grasp on the governmental and constitutional history of this great nation. They believe they are speaking for both God and the writers of the Constitution.
ReplyDeleteAs one who observed the Dent-Brat discussion, I found it informative. It showed me how dethatched form reality some folks are.
Actually, I support the Tea Party core beliefs, particularly those dealing with limiting government control and spending. We will never find universal citizen agreement on strength of purpose/aggressiveness in achieving those goals. I mean, what IS too rigid?
ReplyDeleteMy problem with Charlie Dent is his weakness in promoting the values I hold. He votes exactly as John Boehner wants him to vote. He is too much under the influence of special interest groups, including corporations. He avoids confrontation. The Liberal media loves him because he serves their agenda. He allows himself to be used. He is NOT an effective opposition party member, when being one is needed.
I just don't see any purpose retaining him in office. Sometimes, you just need to get off that political tightrope and take a stand. I question Dent's willingness to do this. This is a guy who essentially votes 'PRESENT' all the time. Citizens deserve something better.
Fred Windish
Fred, the tea party has about 8 or 9 key values. If you subscribe to some but not all, what does that make you? How pure do yo have to be? Charlie does not vote the way Boehner wants him to, but the way he wants to. It is one thing to claim he does not agree with your principles. It is quite another to claim he has no backbone. Alos, criticizing him for being who he is is wrong. His personality is nonconfrontational. But you seem to be mistaking that for weakness. As Brat and many others have discovered over the years, there is an iron fist under that velvet glove. This whole insistence thatit is your way or the highway is not tea party thinking. It is spoiled brat thinking. That has nothing to do with ideology.
ReplyDeleteGoverning is extremely important, and you need to work with everyone to govern. This is pretty basic stuff.
The Tea Party values represent the true core of the American experience as the founders and the Good Lord intended.
ReplyDelete......and I'd like to thank the billionaires behind this grassroots movement.
ReplyDeleteBernie (9:46) -
ReplyDeleteWhat does that make me? I'd like to think an individualist! Someone not defined/confined by a single label.
I never met Charlie Dent. You have. I am glad you believe he is doing a wonderful job. I don't. Establishment Republicans 'talk' about the need for change, they just never do anything to create it. The status quo is too cozy, it seems. Whether a career preservation strategy, or a lack of courage, depends on the individual. Neither is effective in making a difference.
Nothing will happen unless ALL the tools in the box are used. THIS opposition party has failed to utilize several legislative strategies. The 'power of the purse' is but one example. The Democratic leadership dominates the Boehners on the other side of the aisle. Of course there is compromise! Capitulation, however, is a last resort act.
There is a reason someone like Trump is resonating. People seeking change are fed up with those unwilling to make a strong effort. America has almost lapsed into a one party system of governance. I certainly don't want that. Many incumbents need to go.
Fred Windish
Fred Windish is a great man and a pioneer.
ReplyDeleteIt makes you a dupe and a foot soldier for the 1%.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Hillary Clinton certainly does live a moderate lifestyle which has much in common with the average citizen.
ReplyDeleteAnd Barack Obama certainly does not live too high on the hog, either.
So, tell us more about the evil 1% please.
As a person who has never voted for Dent and now will never get a chance to since redistricting, he would have earned my vote with that appearance. Kudos to Dent for standing up to these rejectionists. He almost sounded statesmanlike.
ReplyDelete8:03 - Dents knows this and knows his district is skewing left as relics like yourself become relegated to the loud and obnoxious fringe.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Boehner charted a course in Congress that he knew would pass. The tea party people just want excessive votes on the same matters that have no chance of making it past the Senate much less the President's desk. You cannot lead the agenda from the House. It's just not possible. Perhaps the tea party fools will get a clue when they lose Congress and the Presidency in 2016.
ReplyDelete