United States Congress

[onekidanddone]

13 hours ago, candygirl200413 said:

@GreyhoundFan thank you for this article!! Both my parents are still just like saying "they can't just let people live without health insurance without a replacement!" and I'm forever saying that they could give two shits about the poor people and this is more evidence since they have no types of facts to back this up with how it's so much better.

My one senator, Pat Toomey just basically tells us how much he hates his constitutes (re: democrats) and last weekend decided friday morning to have a tele-townhall like 2 hours later which was just a dig to all of us demanding an actual town hall. It just exhausts me and frustrates me how he is just doesn't want to actually represent many of us (again re: democrats). UGH.

 

Not my district, but still too close for comfort  http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/virginia/northern-va-residents-demand-comstock-hold-in-person-town-hall/409767802.   Barbra Twitstock like to have meeting is "small groups", but refuses to have town hall meetings.  Seems to me she only wants to meet with people won't challenge her TrumptyTrump views.  Disgusting.

[sawasdee]

9 minutes ago, samurai_sarah said:

My MP still does surgeries, although they are called "advice sessions". Some by appointment only, some free for all. He also occasionally does advice sessions in shopping centres on Sundays. So, overall, he's pretty easy to get a personal hold of.

So a hell of lot easier to get hold of than the Representatives(!) (sorry - can't take that seriously when they won't meet constituents) and Senators I am reading of here? I am so glad to here that the concept of surgeries is still alive and kicking in the UK!

And they (US Congress members) still claim they are a representative democracy - when their constituents cannot speak to them unless they are donors, or guaranteed unquestioning supporters. Is this a new thing, or a longstanding problem - getting any facetime in real life with your elected representative - a serious question for US FJers? I'd really like to know.

@samurai_sarah Thank you for reassuring me that democracy is not quite dead yet in the UK.

[GreyhoundFan]

11 minutes ago, onekidanddone said:

Not my district, but still too close for comfort  http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/virginia/northern-va-residents-demand-comstock-hold-in-person-town-hall/409767802.   Barbra Twitstock like to have meeting is "small groups", but refuses to have town hall meetings.  Seems to me she only wants to meet with people won't challenge her TrumptyTrump views.  Disgusting.

My mom just moved into Dumbstock's district. She's been calling the home office every day to complain about the lack of town halls and to hound her on her votes. I hope that in 2018, we can get a good Democrat to run in that district, which is adjacent to mine. The woman who ran against Dumbstock in 2016 was awful. Between the lousy challenger in 2016, and the fact that Dumbstock had worked for Frank Wolf, who is still popular, the Commonwealth ended up with a Trumpita in the 10th District.

[Ali]

4 hours ago, GreyhoundFan said:

YES! What a great idea! I have always despised Viagra because it has stayed on the market, even though it's killed so many people and it's so unfair to women. Back in the 1990s, when it came out, I was on Phen-Fen to lose weight. That was a miracle combination that allowed me to lose 120 pounds and feel normal for the first time ever. Then it was taken off the market because some people who took it started having heart valve issues. Viagra stayed on the market, even though it was killing a lot of men. All because the decision makers were older men, who value having a boner more than anything. If their wife (or girlfriend) gained weight, so what, they could trade her in for a thinner, and probably younger, model. I have hated Viagra since then. My doctor actually testified before a Congressional panel to try and get Phen-Fen re-approved. She asked for my permission to use my case as one of the case studies. Of course, it didn't help. But that's okay, those men in Congress can still get a boner. Oh, and when it was on the market, the Phen-Fen was not covered by insurance, so I had to pay out of pocket; Viagra was (and still is) covered by my insurance. Yeah, that's fair.

Sorry, I'll hop off my soapbox for now...

Do you know about how long it took for birth control pills to be approved in Japan vs. how long it took for Viagra to be approved? Hint: don't look unless you want to hate Viagra even more.

http://articles.latimes.com/1999/jun/03/news/mn-43662

Both my Senators are democrats. No complaints about them at this time.

My Representative seems to only be interested in talking to donors. I can't stand him. He is a spineless Republican. He has not had a town hall in quite a long time. He had a tele town hall recently, but Mr. A and I did not get the phone call despite the emails promising us we would. I called his office and I did not receive apology from the lady answering the phone or any communication from him. Based on his social media, I can say that there were many others who did not get the phone call or were disconnected. It almost like he doesn't want to be reelected or doesn't care what anyone but Trumpsters and Tea Partiers say. My district is heavily gerrymandered.

[moodygirl86]

4 hours ago, sawasdee said:

This astounds me. When I lived in the UK, every Member of Parliament had 'constituency surgery', where any constituent could come to air grievances, lobby for local issues, make their feelings known on national ones, and even ask for help with personal issues with national or local government.. These surgeries were usually every two weeks, but at least once a month.

I don't know if this is still the case - maybe the British MPs have become as blase and entitled as US Representatives(!) and Senators - can a UK based FJer enlighten me?

ETA In the UK, a doctor's office is called a surgery. Hence the terminology!

ETA 2 The MPs also have an allowance to pay for their surgery, and usually one member of staff to run it.

I really do want to know if this has changed - @Lurky, @Gobsmacked @samurai_sarah @moodygirl86 - the Brit residents who spring to mind - can you tell me if the political culture has changed to the degree that surgeries are no more?

 

It could depend on area, but my local MP (Stella Creasy of Walthamstow) has definitely done a couple of surgeries in the short time I've lived in London, So did my Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood. They're both Labour, so I don't know if they're more likely to consider constituents' thoughts than, say a Tory MP would. Interestingly, I have never heard of a Tory MP offering constituents this chance, though that could be my own lefty confirmation bias...

[sawasdee]

@moodygirl86 Thanks! I'm glad to hear surgeries are still part of the political landscape. They are important, as a way to try to keep MPs honest!

[samurai_sarah]

1 hour ago, sawasdee said:

(snip)

@samurai_sarah Thank you for reassuring me that democracy is not quite dead yet in the UK.

If you ask me - it's alive and kicking. 

[candygirl200413]

Jealous of all of you in the UK, it's like you guys have people who respond to you!

Also re:vigara, my favorite story is my mom (a pharmacist) would roll her eyes and make a few snide comments of the men who got those prescriptions filled while they were fighting in the courts about companies paying for Viagra in health insurance plans but not birth control. I think what disgusts me the most about these senators/ reps is that many have been so vocal about how constituents are too needy or too loud or getting paid or anything! Like sadly you excuse of people were elected and instead of doing your job you just complain about doing your job.

[RoseWilder]

Well isn't this charming: 

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/16/1634356/-Congressman-looks-forward-to-his-armed-militia-pals-attending-town-hall-to-counter-women-protesters

Quote

Fresh from introducing a bill to terminate the Environmental Protection Agency, Congressman Matt Gaetz is headed home to northern Florida during recess week. He plans to hold two town hall constituent events, as is tradition during recess week. The local Democratic Women’s Club is planning to attend his lunchtime visit to Grover T's BBQ for Gaetz's open forum. Gaetz says all are welcome, but he and his friends are clearly trying to intimidate the constituents who just want an open dialogue with their elected representative. Earlier in the week Gaetz tweeted this:

 

Then this happened:

Quote

A Florida militia leader, Geoff Ross, put out a call that is clearly meant to threaten and/or intimidate the women who may show up. From the Huffington Post:

“I need all patriots in attendance to protect Congressman Gaetz from any potential disruption of his speech,” Geoff Ross, the purported militia leader, wrote in a call-out on his private Facebook page. “Concealed carry permit holders most welcome - don’t forget your ammo.”

When asked about this, Gaetz tweeted that he welcomed the armed bikers (and then later deleted the tweet.) 

What an ass. His entire twitter feed is repulsive. 

[Cartmann99]

On 2/19/2017 at 8:28 PM, GreyhoundFan said:

Sigh. "Ryancare: You Can Pay More for Less!"

As I've said hundreds of times, I despise Paul Ryan. He's such a weasel. He couldn't care less about the people of the U.S.

Yup. He should just go ahead and submit a proposal to turn people into protein bars once we get to the place where we can't afford to pay for our healthcare needs. If he did that, I'd at least give him a point for honesty. 

I know that's dark, but I live in a so-called "pro-life" state, and I'm sick of the bullshit.

[RoseWilder]

This is the fourth article I've read about a senator or rep. threatening their constituents. What the hell is wrong with these people. 

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/17/1634818/-Missing-Elise-Stefanik-NY21-Grassroots-Sets-Up-Town-Hall-She-Threatens-Callers-w-Law-Enforcement

Quote

 Elise Stefanik has been MIA in her district, NY21. Many, many constituents have called her requesting a town hall meeting this break, or at least small group meetings with her. Her response: a Facebook post excoriating her constituents for calling her office, calling them “disruptors,” and threatening to get the local law enforcement and Capitol Police involved.

 

[RoseWilder]

So this would be the fifth article I've read today about a Republican senator or rep behaving like an asshole towards their constituents: 

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/17/1634863/-Texas-senator-literally-breaks-table-to-silence-woman-testifying-against-extreme-anti-abortion-bills

Quote

After subjecting the public to their unscientific, anti-choice ramblings in support of three extreme anti-choice bills, state Senator Charles Schwertner (R) — the chair of the Texas Senate’s Committee on Health and Human Services — couldn’t handle hearing the truth.

After the committee’s discussion, the floor was opened to the public for three hours of testimony. It took literally 10 minutes before state Sen. Schwertner lost his shit and broke a table to silence a member of the public

 

[Cartmann99]

My congresscritter is about as useful as tits on a bull, but in the past, he's had regular town hall meetings throughout the district. That said, I'm starting to think that someone must have given him an earful last month. He usually has at least one town hall on the schedule per month, and the only town halls listed on his schedule for the rest of the year are the ones he did in January. 

 

[infooverload]

Seriously couldn't handle listening to a different view point before he went all Hulk with a gavel. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for being a representative for everyone in his district.

[RoseWilder]

Well this is horrifying: 

https://www.buzzfeed.com/coralewis/republicans-in-congress-are-moving-to-limit-class-action-law?utm_term=.drVg166Gg#.gryaZAABa

Quote

Republicans in Congress are pushing a new law limiting class-action lawsuits, proposing legislation that would scale back the ability of large groups of consumers to band together and sue businesses.

On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee approved a bill that has received little coverage, but which has the potential to transform class-action lawsuits.

 

[Lurky]

@sawasdee Co-signing everyone else - yep, definitely opportunities to meet in real life with MPs.  They sometimes can't do it eg twice a week if their constituency is a long way from London, but they'll all have an office, so in my experience, if you can't get a face-to-face, they can arrange phone calls and such.

In my experience, they tend to be opportunities for people to ask for help with issues (the wikipedia describes it as similar to going to the doctor, hence Surgery), that then link to wider issues, more than lobbying - and the MPs will get letters written on their behalf, and chase issues.  So, eg, someone getting evicted, facing deportation, etc etc can get support which can be very helpful as the local Council, or national civil service have to pay more attention to the MPs.  The MPs office tends to have a LOT of information about local services - though most times the MP serving a a more deprived area would have much more/harder issues.

But it's also a chance to say "this policy is really hurting me because of this", and hopefully inform/change the national policy.  Local groups/organisations wouldn't use this route (so eg a local Muslim women's group wouldn't go to the surgery to report an increase in Islamaphobic crime, they'd contact an MP through different routes) as it's more about the individual. 

MPs have a choice about whether they do them/how often - but an MP who didn't would face a hard time in the next election.  Here's how people can find their local one:

http://www.parliament.uk/site-information/glossary/surgeries/

[sawasdee]

Thank you @Lurky and all others who responded. This is how I remember it from when I lived in the UK, and I am so glad that there is still local accountability for MPs.

Our representative system has evolved over almost 200 hundred years, less than the US mode. We seem to have been luckier in keeping a - not very strong, but still there - leash on our representatives. And at least an access to them. That US representatives feel that they can deny that right of access is the summit of arrogance  and entitlement.

(Used We because where I live I have no suffrage rights at all - so in that respect I still feel British.)

[RoseWilder]

Arizona Rep. Steve Womack attempts to brush off his constituents when they ask for an investigation into Trump's Russia ties: 
 

What an asshole. I'm so sick of these arrogant, hypocritical Republican Senators and Reps. acting like we're crazy and irrational for wanting an investigation into Trump's Russia ties - especially when they wasted so much time and money going after Hillary Clinton. It's infuriating. 

[47of74]

Senator Breadbags McCutyernutzoff's plan to hold a bund meeting or something didn't go as she planned;

kcrg.com/content/news/414391213.html

Quote

Hundreds of people, many of them protesters, packed the Maquoketa City Council Chambers Tuesday for a public event for veterans with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst.

Most of the protests centered around Republican-led efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Ernst has supported those efforts in the past.

KCRG-TV9 was only able to stand just outside the room for the event as so many people packed the room. Many of them shouted and chanted during the event.

Republicans from Congress have encountered hostile crowds during public events across the country since efforts started to repeal the ACA. President Donald Trump has pushed for a quick repeal of the law, but many have questioned whether Republicans have a plan to replace it. Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) has said Republicans have a plan and will roll it out soon but has declined to outline specifics.

I was working at the time but I'm glad my fellow leftists stood up to her.  I still want to leave Iowa sometimes because of her and Gov Brainfart.

[RoseWilder]

A woman in Utah has begun fundraising for her campaign to unseat Jason Chaffetz: 

https://www.crowdpac.com/campaigns/181376/the-us-congress-needs-a-caring-physician

She admits that it will be difficult due to gerrymandering. But I enjoy her moxie just the same. 

[RoseWilder]

It's time for another installment of Republicans are Assholes: 

http://www.rawstory.com/2017/02/watch-gop-senator-jeered-after-ducking-travel-ban-question-from-afghan-man-who-served-with-us-troops/

Quote

An Afghan man who served alongside American troops in Afghanistan tried confronting Sen. Chuck Grassley (R – IA) during a town hall meeting, but the senator tried to get out of responding to his concerns by citing procedural rules.

Grassley tried to avoid the man’s question by claiming that he was simply going down a list of pre-submitted questions, and that this particular question wasn’t on the list. The crowd then jeered the senator and implored him to face up to the man’s question.

 

[formergothardite]

Burr has announced he isn't running again, so he gives no shits about anyone who hasn't paid him money. But a group has taken out a lost and found ad for him since the people of NC haven't seen him. 

Quote

LOST – United States Senator,” the ad begins. “He may respond to the title ‘Senator Richard Burr’, though his constituents have been unable to verify whether this is still the case, as they have been unable to contact him in recent weeks. … If found, please return Senator Burr to his constituents by way of a Town Hall meeting or other suitable gathering in which the Senator demonstrates his accountability to his constituents by listening to and honestly addressing their concerns.”

His voice mail boxes are full and he responds to emails by mailing letters that don't actually give replies. Not even his spokeswoman can be reached. 

Quote

Burr’s spokeswoman could not be reached for a comment.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article133847284.html

[GreyhoundFan]

Dave Brat, the Tea Bagger in VA who whined that the women in his district were "up in his grill" because he wouldn't have town hall meetings, finally had one: "The women got up in Brat’s grill, and then some". A few highlights (or lowlights, if you will):

Quote

...

Brat held the meeting in a tiny town in Nottoway County, a rural community carried by Trump in November. It’s about an hour south of where most in Brat’s district live, but that didn’t stop a stream of people from driving into town and filling up the town hall, with scores shut out on the sidewalk.

For a little more than an hour, Brat was heckled nonstop as he fielded questions on health care, President Trump’s policies and the border wall.

His answers seemed to antagonize most in the crowd of 150, who yelled back at him, at points drowning him out and prompting a few of his supporters to leave early in disgust.

Some of the loudest jeers came over Republicans’ promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act as people held up red cards signaling their discontent.

“The problem is Obamacare has just collapsed,” said Brat, who stood at a podium in the Blackstone Herb Cottage, a restaurant and event space. The crowd shouted in response “No, it has not!”

...

Participants began to line up along Main Street hours before the doors opened at 6:30 p.m. Many held signs referring to Brat’s recent gaffe, including one that read “VA 7th district, it’s grilling time!”

Another sign said, “This grandmother drove 165 miles to be in your grill, Mr. Brat and no one paid me to be here!” — a nod to a comment Brat made to a Richmond paper in which he dismissed protesters as “paid activists.”

Several people sported stickers on their clothes bearing their zip codes, to demonstrate they lived in Brat’s congressional district.

As he ticked off the names of the counties he has visited in the district, a few in the crowd yelled “Arizona,” a jab at his plans to attend a town hall meeting with Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R-Ariz.) in Gold Canyon, Ariz., on Thursday. Brat had accepted that invitation before agreeing to hold a town hall in Virginia, a move that enraged some of his critics.

Blackstone Mayor Billy Coleburn acted as an emcee, reading written questions collected from the crowd. Asked “Do you deny climate change?” Brat said “No, the climate changes all the time.” His apparent attempt at levity angered the crowd, prompting some to yell “Answer the question!”

On four separate occasions, Brat awkwardly plugged his book “American Underdog,” which details his election to Congress and his fiscal and conservative principles, saying it’s an effective sleep aid. The joke fell flat each time.

Asked how as a fiscal conservative Brat could justify the cost of the wall along the southern border promised by Trump - estimated to cost between $15 billion and $25 billion - Brat said, “The answer is ‘easily’. ”

Then you pay for it!” a woman in the audience shot back.

He also gave an unpopular answer when asked if he agreed with Trump that the administration was running smoothly so far.

“The answer to that is, given the obstruction in D.C., it’s remarkable what he has gotten done,” he said. The crowd drowned out his answer forcing him to struggle for a moment — “The stock market is going like ‘zing!’ for the first time” — before moving on to a question about the Second Amendment.

Mary Mullins, a 61-year-old constituent and professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who lives in Chesterfield, stood up and briefly held the floor, demanding that Brat give direct answers.

She prodded him to add some detail to one of his usual lines about his value system. “Some actual principles please, not this Judeo-Christian generality,” she said.

...

“I was one of the first to run as an outsider against the establishment and the crony deals on Wall Street. I think we’re going to drain the swamp,” he said, invoking one of Trump’s favorite lines. The comment sent the crowd into an uproar once again.

“I want to get the power out of D.C. and Wall Street and back to Main Street,” Brat said. To which a man yelled, “Wall Street’s in the Cabinet now.”

“Are the words yes and no in your vocabulary?” Subryan yelled. Then she added, “You’re full of s---!”

...

Brat, who seemed a little startled at the beginning of the evening, said afterward that he didn’t mind the constant jeering and that he understood the country’s divisions have deepened since the election.

“I thought it was going to be worse,” he said.

Brat is such a perfect name for him, since he's a spoiled brat.

[47of74]

8 hours ago, RoseWilder said:

It's time for another installment of Republicans are Assholes: 

http://www.rawstory.com/2017/02/watch-gop-senator-jeered-after-ducking-travel-ban-question-from-afghan-man-who-served-with-us-troops/

 

Grassley's not much good for anything anymore.  I used to think he was somewhat reasonable - like 20 years ago, but he's gone full teabagger these past few years.   

[RoseWilder]