Two years ago, Rep. Nancy Pelosi wanted a House minority “bill of rights” to keep Democrats from being mistreated. Republican leaders were so outraged by the idea that they wouldn’t dignify it with a response. Now Republican leaders want the same House minority bill of rights that they spurned, with Rep. Eric Cantor being one of the people pushing it. I think House Democrats should pass the very bill that they wanted passed in 2004, with the sole stipulation that, on the floor of the House, every House Republican simultaneously perform “I’m a Little Teapot,” complete with the requisite gestures.
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I, for one, feel that a lot of wounds could be healed by the simultaneous performance of “I’m a Little Teapot”, and, if the Republicans ALSO did the Macarena, heck, I might even forget about this little war we’re in!
It’s one thing for Republicans to be so craven in their self-interest, but to do it with a bill that is essentially the same as the one suggested by Nacy Pelosi?
Shoe’s on the other foot now, eh? Can the Republicans do any thinking for themselves, or are they content to allow everyone else to do the work for them? This is the beginning of “the Great Double Standard of 2007”.
Pass the popcorn, it’s going to be a great show.
Hell, I would pay admission to see Eric Cantor do ‘I’m a Little Teapot’ (with movements) all by himself on the floor of the House.
Perhaps they should all have to do it whenever take the podium to speak….every time. :P
That’s the Republicans, for ya. I think each one should have to sing “I Feel Pretty”.
Before we gloat and lord it over them, we need to pass this law now that we’re in the majority, though we should do it after we shove through the much needed legislation in the first hundred hours. If we’re going to show that we want to play by the rules and want things fair, then we have to be the bigger party and pass the legislation that benefits the minority party.
The real problem would be if Republicans ever come back in the majority and revoke it.
Yeah, but make ’em revoke it. That’s harder to do — and more press-worthy — than leaving it in place.
Dems in the new majority must remember all of the ways in which they were treated unfairly and — here’s the tough bit — not only should they not repeat those misdeeds, but they should change the rules (ethics or otherwise) to prevent themselves from doing so and Republicans from doing so down the line.
Agreed. Just like refusing committee assignments for “Ice Box” Jefferson, and I also wonder if Murtha should have leadership positions. That would make a good, strong statement that we’re not going to play favorites.
What say we prioritize things? After the Congress is done advising the un-screwing of Iraq, Afghanistan, the deficit, international trade, health care, national security … Congress can consider “minority rights” for the goof-offs that orchestrated said problems.
If House Republicans really wanted to pass the bill, they could have done it themselves during the lame duck session. They don’t want the bill; they want the issue. (Either that or they’re complete doofuses to have been in town those weeks after losing on election day without thinking of this then.)
I think it’s wise of the Dems to wait AT LEAST 100 hours before passing this bill…All I’ve seen from the Republican side of the aisle is continued nasty, dirty tricks instead of bi-partisanship…why give them permission to stop some good legislation for a change…like net neutrality…restoring habeus corpus to ALL American citizens at least (and hopefully to ALL people)….and passing a bill making it ILLEGAL for Bush to declare war against any nation such as Iran or Venequela without CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL…the balance of powers and the rule of law should first be passed and guaranteed before taking the Congress back to where it should be….
In the meantime they could allow bi-partisan Republicans to join them etcc….and keeping the evildoers out of the process for awhile…
Seems kind of right wince the Republicans did this sort of thing for about six years and were proud of it.
But minority rights bill should be passed b/c what the Republicans did was a horrible abuse of the constitution…I just want some constitutional measures restored before the Republicans get to play again….
Buzz…Buzz…
Where are all of the Republicans today? So silent on this pressing issue…
Well put Mosquito! I’d widen the probationary period to 100 days…see who’s playing nice, then lift foot from neck. The 109th Congress was a Republican disaster- plain and simple.
I’d love to paint all the House Republicans as doofuses, but you’ve got the right of it, Corey. Seems to me that they want to stick this on the majority Dems. There’s greater opportunity for a media spin if the Dems fail to come through, a la “See, we told you their party isn’t any better. They don’t even have the integrity to pass the laws they asked for! You know you want us back in 2008.”