Watching the Watcher Watch the Watchers

I had an interesting back and forth with a Congressman's Press Secretary...how great is it that we can have discussions like this in this country? I'd imagine the tone from say a Chinese representative might be a little different than this. Great country. Let's keep on keeping it that way.

Cody,
Big fan of the show; my boss, Congressman Garrett (R-NJ) has been on with y'all a couple of times. I was just reading your blog post from yesterday, most notably, "While the idiot Republicans and Democrats that you guys voted into power in this country are bumbling around with stimulus packages, bail outs for the richest people in the country — the investment bankers, bail outs for FRE and FNM, and wondering if they should even vote on how many miles is far enough from the shore to drill…the evil genius Putin is taking over Europe. I don’t believe the government can do any good whatsoever by redistributing wealth, but I do expect them to protect me from Putin. Wake up!"

Just wanted to take a second and let you know that there are elected officials who voted against bail outs for BSC, FRE and FNM, and have been calling for action against Russian aggression even prior to their actions in Georgia this past week. Take for example, H.Res. 1166, "Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia." This resolution was introduced by Congress in April and passed the House on May 7, 2008. This bill had 34 cosponsors and was passed 390 - 23. Clearly, there are some elected officials who wish to protect the American people, as well as citizens of the world in general, from Putin, as you put it.

I've heard your oft stated sentiment, "Government out of it...I believe in free markets...I'll never vote for any of you" (e.g. August 7, 2008, 5:36pm). There are elected officials who support small government, with limited intervention, and endorse the principles of the free market. It doesn't help their efforts when opinion leaders fail to distinguish between elected officials who serve to promote these ideals, and those who simply parrot their party talking points.

You do a great job and we watch the show every day in the office here in DC. You all work very hard to keep our elected officials accountable...someone's gotta be watching y'all.   Erica

Erica,

Thank you so much for sending this. You have no idea how mindblowing it is to this cowboy from NM that my voice is heard by elected officials.

My single biggest problem with either party is that by definition you have to "join" their party to run on their duopolistic platform. And once you "join" anything you are beholden to that faction...I want politicians who are simply beholden to their constituents. Republicans tend to pretend they are free-marketers...except when they legislate to endlessly create unlevel playing fields and subsidize and create welfare programs and health care programs etc etc. You are either act and fight for freedom and democracy or you act and fight to destroy it.

I welcome a debate that could convince me and other free-thinkers otherwise, but I can't fathom how any Republican or Democrat can pretend not to be sold out when their parties take in billions every year.

Thanks again!

Best,

Cody

Cody,
You make some great points, and while I'm not privy to those conversations if they do indeed exist, I'm sure that there is an extent to which all legislators are "beholden" to their "factions."

I'm not the lady to debate you or try and sell you on the "value" of a two-party system; parties are not what our Founding Fathers ever intended. Besides, I have a business background, not politics.

It's just a little precarious to start speaking in absolutes (ie.e. all Republicans, all Democrats, all elected officials)...but then again, you have a show to do...;-)

We are definitely big fans; keep up the good work!

Erica

Oh, and for the record -- I don't think I've ever said, "Government out of it...I believe in free markets..." I often say I'll never vote for a Republican or Democrat, but that's got nothing to do with "free markets". Just freedom. Which is sorta the same thing anyway, but not always.