CSpan begs administration for transparency

[SteamWake]

Here is an open letter from Cspan requesting access to the health care negotiations which the Democrats intend to do behind closed doors.

http://www.c-span.org/pdf/C-SPAN%20H...e%20Letter.pdf

[Dowly]

Yes?

What is your take on this?

[Onkel Neal]

Heard a lot of promises before the election about this....

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Yes?

What is your take on this?

My take?

I find it frustrating that the Dem's are pushing through legislation contrary to the majority of the publics wishes and have to meet 'privatly' to do so.

I find it frustrating that a media outlet has to publicly beg the administration to live up to a promise.

[AVGWarhawk]

It is frustrating. Not only that, the problem is getting worse. Closed door meetings is not transparency. It shear demonstration of not caring what the public wants nor do those on Capitol Hill care what the public wants. IMO the Dems will be handed their walking papers on the next go around of elections. Good riddance.

[AVGWarhawk]

I guess Obummer will shut down C-Span now. So is Fox really off the mark?

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Heard a lot of promises before the election about this....

To be more specific.

"That's what I will do in bringing all parties together, not negotiating behind closed doors, but bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are," Obama said at a debate against Hillary Clinton in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 2008.

[AVGWarhawk]

That statement was pulled out by C-Span and we will see if Obummer boycotts C-Span and bunches this outfit with Fox. A known Obummer basher.

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

My take?

I find it frustrating that the Dem's are pushing through legislation contrary to the majority of the publics wishes and have to meet 'privatly' to do so.

I find it frustrating that a media outlet has to publicly beg the administration to live up to a promise.

EXACTLY

this guy understands.

I dont care if it is some kind of feed the children legislation

if..

a. the public majority thinks it is either a bad idea or that the fed is moving to fast with it

and

b. the government feels the need to conduct public business in PRIVATE

we have a problem there

personally i feel that congressional "closed door sessions" of any kind should be outlawed.

[AVGWarhawk]

personally i feel that congressional "closed door sessions" of any kind should be outlawed.

Absolutely! I pay their dead arse's paychecks I want to see'em working! Why do we pay them via our taxes yet are treated like a dog? There needs to be more accountability and transparency.

[CaptainHaplo]

Whats wrong AVG - is simple "hope" and "change" not enough for you?

[mookiemookie]

See and this is how you get both sides p*ssed off. The Left says "But you proooomised! We want a public option!" and then the Right says (insert any of the above posts). The fact of the matter is that "ping pong" is played by both parties. So next time the GOP is pulling this exact same ping pong stunt on whatever "bomb brown people" or "tax cuts for millionaires" bill they're trying to pass, I'm going to expect the same level of outrage out of you all, ok?

CSPAN covers stuff done on the floor of the House and Senate. It doesn't cover this stuff. It never has. The GOP is whining because they don't have a stage for their obstructionism.

One can understand why the Dems are doing this... because there's nothing but obstructionism and fillibustering being offered from the Right. They're not giving them the chance.

I say get a first round of health care reform done, even though its not something the radical right wants, or it doesn't go far enough for the left.

"Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made." - Otto von Bismarck

[CaptainHaplo]

The fact of the matter is that "ping pong" is played by both parties. So next time the GOP is pulling this exact same ping pong stunt on whatever "bomb brown people" or "tax cuts for millionaires" bill they're trying to pass, I'm going to expect the same level of outrage out of you all, ok?

Mookie - that is entirely fair - and regardless of who the "party" is, if I don't express being pissed off about backroom deals, point it out to me and I will correct it for myself. However, its important to note that while many sides may do this - its being done by a group who once again is violating the will of the people - and the promises they made to the people to get elected.

[August]

Closed door sessions when they're dealing with classified information is one thing Mookie, but the Democrats made a big campaign promise to provide transparency on this particular subject, a promise that I think is fair to say contributed significantly to their winning the election.

Now they are reneging on that deal and mark my words, they will pay a political price for it. Remember Bush Sr's "No new taxes"?

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

One can understand why the Dems are doing this...

Because they dont want the average middle class American Joe to see just how SHAFTED he really will be when this gigantic turd passes through the colon of Congress and plops down with a firm yet squishy splat onto the face of the nation.