Same old, same old

[Skibo]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15626530/

How can this happen, I thought there was going to be change. I thought the Dem's were going to save the planet. The voters demanded change and a more enviromental friendly policy from the house. How is not increasing fuel efficiency standards and promoting nuclear energy accomplish that goal? Republicans have been crucified for "ignoring" the problem of global warming. I can't believe the democrats are as dumb as the republicans.

[LIPH]

Are you really surprised? John Dingell is from Michigan, he's not going to do anything that might cost the US auto industry money.

[Skibo]

Are you really surprised? John Dingell is from Michigan, he's not going to do anything that might cost the US auto industry money.

No, but I am sure there are a lot of disappointed enviromentalists reading this today. I thought only the Republicans were owned by the corporations. Turns out a democrat is too.

[LIPH]

This is what happens when the Democratic party's entire campaign was "We're not George Bush". They had no agenda, no platform, and we'll pay for it now.

[SharkOnLand]

Are you really surprised? John Dingell is from Michigan, he's not going to do anything that might cost the US auto industry money.

No, but I am sure there are a lot of disappointed enviromentalists reading this today. I thought only the Republicans were owned by the corporations. Turns out a democrat is too.

I don't know if he's in with the corporations, but I'm sure a large part of his contingent makes their living (either directly or indirectly) from the auto industry. Make changes that might require layoffs or whatnot, and you've peed in your own bed...

[rednekkPH]

IMO, a Congressman's first responsibility is to the people of his/her district. Anything that hurts the auto industry hurts those constituents - and as such is poor representation.

[Skibo]

IMO, a Congressman's first responsibility is to the people of his/her district. Anything that hurts the auto industry hurts those constituents - and as such is poor representation.

This is why the rest of the world hates us. Selfish americans refusing to make a small sacrifice to save the world.

[krusin1]

This is what happens when the Democratic party's entire campaign was "We're not George Bush". They had no agenda, no platform, and we'll pay for it now.

You know, to this conservative, what he said seemed kind of reasonable. He's not ruling out nuclear power, wants diesels and electrics, and isn't going to try to force the market to accept what the government dictates.

Fact is, the whole CAFE thing is kind of a loser. When gas is expensive, people on average buy cars with mileage above CAFE standards anyway. When gas is cheaper, they buy cars with mileage below CAFE standards.

The key is the price of gas...unless you just want to totally ban new cars that get below a certain mpg rating... and if that happened while gas was cheap, I think we'd just see a LOT of companies going into the business of restoring older, LARGER, cars.

So, strangely enough, I am... encouraged... by the tone of moderation. Who knew?

[rednekkPH]

IMO, a Congressman's first responsibility is to the people of his/her district. Anything that hurts the auto industry hurts those constituents - and as such is poor representation.

This is why the rest of the world hates us. Selfish americans refusing to make a small sacrifice to save the world.

Not sure they'd consider the loss of their livelihood a small sacrifice.

And to hell with pleasing the rest of the world, it's time we start looking out for ourselves first - what have they done for us lately?

[Skibo]

You know, to this conservative, what he said seemed kind of reasonable. He's not ruling out nuclear power, wants diesels and electrics, and isn't going to try to force the market to accept what the government dictates.

Fact is, the whole CAFE thing is kind of a loser. When gas is expensive, people on average buy cars with mileage above CAFE standards anyway. When gas is cheaper, they buy cars with mileage below CAFE standards.

They key is the price of gas...unless you just want to totally ban new cars that get below a certain mpg rating... and if that happened while gas was cheap, I think we'd just see a LOT of companies going into the business of restoring older, LARGER, cars.

So, strangely enough, I am... encouraged... by the tone of moderation. Who knew?

While I agree with you here entirely, I am very disappointed and feel betrayed that the promises made by the democrats just last week are already being broken. This was one of their issues that the republicans were failing at. Seems that they want to fail too. Remember the democrats were going to make changes and do everything better not continue with the same policies. The tone only sounds moderate because they have no idea what they want to do.

[SharkOnLand]

While I agree with you here entirely, I am very disappointed and feel betrayed that the promises made by the democrats just last week are already being broken. This was one of their issues that the republicans were failing at. Seems that they want to fail too. Remember the democrats were going to make changes and do everything better not continue with the same policies. The tone only sounds moderate because they have no idea what they want to do.

I'm curious, did this particular Democrat make (and subsequently break) promises? I doubt he'd run on a platform of "force automakers to make more fuel-efficient cars"....

You can't judge 'broken promises' until they're actually in power to break those promises, which would be January....

[Skibo]

I'm not sure what this particular person has stated in the past, but how can the democrats, who campaigned on the platform of fixing all the republican mistakes, even allow this person in the position if he is going to continue with the same policy of the republicans?

[SharkOnLand]

It's one issue... and one that's likely taken a back burner in most American's minds to stuff like the war and immigration.

It may not be a 'Republican mistake' that needs fixing.

[Cubbie Bear]

one Michigan auto industry beholdin' congressman does not speak for all dem's

[rednekkPH]

It may not be a 'Republican mistake' that needs fixing.

It's November, and it's t-shirt and shorts weather in Northeast Pennsylvania...this global warming stuff might not be so bad after all.

[krusin1]

I'm not sure what this particular person has stated in the past, but how can the democrats, who campaigned on the platform of fixing all the republican mistakes, even allow this person in the position if he is going to continue with the same policy of the republicans?

Well... you're going to have to define exactly what you mean by "Republican mistakes." I'm not so sure that failing to dink with the CAFE standards is a mistake.

If you think "fixing Republican mistakes" means undoing whatever a Republican did, or doing anything a Republican didn't do, you're going to be sorely disappointed (thank goodness!)

To go to ludicrous extremes.... Republicans didn't deport everyone who voted for Bill Clinton.... is that a Republican mistake the Dems should now remedy?

[land_shark3]

...The voters demanded change and a more environmental friendly policy from the house. How is not increasing fuel efficiency standards and promoting nuclear energy accomplish that goal? Republicans have been crucified for "ignoring" the problem of global warming...

I'm hoping this is just another one of your sarcastic comments and that you don't actually think automobiles are causing global warming.

BTW, I corrected "environmental" for you. If you are going to rant, at least check for typos.

[ragtopW]

IMO, a Congressman's first responsibility is to the people of his/her district. Anything that hurts the auto industry hurts those constituents - and as such is poor representation.

This is why the rest of the world hates us. Selfish americans refusing to make a small sacrifice to save the world.

The rest of the World hates us because we kick their SSA and then
pay to repair the damage..