BTW: I'm with Tempus: "I seek to crush and really punish those who cornered me so that they never EVER try this sh*t again." Not because I like it. I see no other way.

So here's my idea of punishment: donate to the other guy. Yes, maybe that will empower devils, but is there any other way to get angels of their daybeds? If I give $25.00 to Mr. Reid's "other guy," whomever he's running against at any given moment, that's a $50.00 ding for Reid. Better than a letter, right?

What's wrong with this idea?

Plus: Oh, Beepop-O, don't go.

Harry Reid treats Senator Dodd's request for a "hold" with contempt, he can't be bothered to put a hold on this execrable bill, although Dodd has the support of several other Senators. Then Reid denies that a public outcry has anything to do with his temporary withdrawal of the amnesty-for telecoms bill. He'll try to ram it through in February. I don't think this is the time to rest. What is the best way to light a fire under these appalling politicos? How might lowly consituents get their views considered with some respect? Bundle some money in our letters?

the american government is georgian britain writ onto north america: a king, a political aristocracy, and powerless plebs.

the use of elections doesn't make democracy, it just camouflages oligarchy.

the cure for a corrupt political class is for the people to stop empowering their masters with acquiesence, to demand democracy instead. mike gravel may not be a serious challenger for the presidency, but he is right on the money about what is wrong with the american government.

people who are genuinely outraged by the arrogance of the political class ought to be supporting the 'initiative for democracy'. those who just make a living by being 'outraged' will have to be prepared to share the contempt the plebs feel for the political class.

"Though crediting activists for their "passion," Pelosi called it "a waste of time" for them to target Democrats. "They are advocates," she said. "We are leaders." "

Nancy, WE are the leaders, this is government of the people, by the people and for the people, WE lead, you were simply hired to enact OUR will into legislative action. The minute that you think that you're above us is the minute that you lose your effectiveness as a legislator, and is the minute we start to look for your replacement.

NOTHING should be off the table, and the minute that you said that THE PEOPLE (your collective bosses, always remember that!) started resume collecting.

Merry Christmas,

Doug Kenrick

Seriously, is there anyone who can explain why it is that, in Harry Reid's Senate, Tom Coburn's holds possess impenetrable omnipotence while Chris Dodd's (and other Democrats') are treated like mosquitos to be swatted away?

Surely this isn't hard to explain. Reid is a conservative Democrat from a conservative state. Giving this guy an anti-gun control position to take a stand on is like giving him candy.

But there's a larger question going begging here, and who am I to shy away from answering? The question is, who is Harry Reid listening to? Surely it's not the Republican party — the precipitous collapse in Reid's popularity among Republicans coincides with his coming squarely into the crosshairs of the White House spin machine. They have it in for him, and not in a "let's pretend we hate him to fool the liberals" kind of way. As the numbers stand now, Republican hostility will cost Reid his job.

And surely it isn't the telecommunications industry — or at least not just. If it were, why on Earth wouldn't Reid have forced a vote through anyway? Who cares what Dodd thinks? Dodd doesn't pay the bills.

I have a radical alternative. Reid is listening to us.

He and the Democratic establishment have been listening to us, in fact, for a generation and for most of that time (sorry, it's true) we haven't been saying anything more audible than a whisper. Having grown accustomed to that silence, they've gotten into the habit of not paying attention — anyone truly worth listening to has a lobbyist.

Now, abruptly, a "done deal" in Washington has come up against last-minute, unscheduled popular resistance. Not just Reid but Democrats across the country got the message, got their heads together, and decided that while this is all very perplexing and will probably blow over in a few months, maybe it would be best to let things cool down before taking action. Let the spotlights wander off a bit and get back to business.

The thing to understand is that for these guys a little sound and fury doesn't mean anything if it doesn't translate into the political hard currency of any democratic republic — votes. The interweb, the tube collection, the blogvolution, whatever it's called will only matter to them when they see

When we choose to speak we have a loud voice. Right now we've cleared our throats, and Congress has fallen silent. They're waiting to see if we were just making noise, or if we actually have something to say that they need to listen to.

What will it be?

I think opensecrets.com org? may have campaign contributions from telcos.

I've seen their names on this post with regard to the collective inaction in the face of Reid's collusion with Bush and the Telcos. According to Open Secrets, here's your answer:

Top 20 Telco Money Recipients (list below). Clinton, Obama, and Durbin come in at 2, 3, and 14, with an honorable mention to immunity author and head democratic enabler Jay Rockefeller in fifth.

List Top 20: All Recipients Presidential Candidates Senators Members of the House Senate Candidates House Candidates All Members of Congress

Rank

Candidate

Office

Amount

1

McCain, John (R)

Pres

$176,800

2

Clinton, Hillary (D)

Pres

$106,300

3

Obama, Barack (D)

Pres

$87,236

4

Emanuel, Rahm (D-IL)

House

$47,450

5

Rockefeller, Jay (D-WV)

Senate

$44,500

6

Giuliani, Rudolph W (R)

Pres

$38,150

7

Pryor, Mark (D-AR)

Senate

$25,450

8

Romney, Mitt (R)

Pres

$25,200

9

Terry, Lee (R-NE)

House

$24,500

10

Stevens, Ted (R-AK)

Senate

$23,900

11

Pickering, Charles "Chip" Jr (R-MS)

House

$22,500

12

Thompson, Fred (R)

Pres

$21,950

13

Baucus, Max (D-MT)

Senate

$21,000

14

Durbin, Dick (D-IL)

Senate

$20,350

15

Edwards, John (D)

Pres

$18,761

16

McConnell, Mitch (R-KY)

Senate

$16,250

16

Boehner, John (R-OH)

House

$16,250

16

Rangel, Charles B (D-NY)

House

$16,250

19

Dingell, John D (D-MI)

House

$16,000

20

Paul, Ron (R)

Pres

$15,102