Who is your second favorite Congress critter?

[james1906]

I'm going with Jones. He got behind RP when the GOP was ridiculing him. He also had to face a Peden-like establishment hack to hold on to his job.

[malkusm]

Voted for Bachmann who seems to be actively trying to learn, and absorbing, Ron's economic knowledge.

Thought about Grayson for his anti-Fed stances, but Bachmann is better overall.

[catdd]

I'd pick Marsha Blackburn from Tn.

[klamath]

You might add Duncan from Tenn. The only other republican to vote against the Iraq war and had the second highest freedom index rating following RP, last year.

[Epic]

Crazy as she is, Bachmann seems genuinely interested in libertarian principles and skepticism to government.

And lately, her votes have been good on all the spending and bailouts.

[malkusm]

Ok...who the hell voted for Fwank? :mad:

[klamath]

Bachmann had a high rating in the Freedom Index last year before it became cool to be fiscal republican.

[klamath]

Ok...who the hell voted for Fwank? :mad:

I would say that had to be Kludge:D

[Kludge]

I would say that had to be Kludge:D

I wasn't going to vote at all for a few seconds, but looked away and voted for Grayson.

[klamath]

I wasn't going to vote at all for a few seconds, but looked away and voted for Grayson.

If you looked away when you voted are you sure you didn't hit franks button:D

[catdd]

"If you looked away when you voted are you sure you didn't hit franks button?"
:)

[erowe1]

What is the basis for this list? It seems like John Duncan from Tennessee, as well as some others, should be there before pretty much anyone currently given.

Edit: I see someone else already mentioned Duncan. Here's how I would answer the question. I would start with this list of 17:
http://www.rlc.org/2009/03/26/17-courageous/
I notice right off the bat that there's hardly any correlation between this list and the poll given. Unless I missed any, Flake is the only person on both. Everyone else in the poll is a pro-bailout, pro-stimulus hypocrite. Flake is good, but his foreign policy (which, let's face it, is pretty important) is bad. So I would cross-check the 17 who consistently opposed the bailouts and stimulus with foreign policy views, especially if they are on record voting on the Iraq War. The only Republicans who voted against the initial resolution were: Reps. Duncan (R-TN), Hostettler (R-IN), Houghton (R-NY), Leach (R-IA), Morella (R-MD), Paul (R-TX). I don't know who of those are still in the House. I know Hostettler (who is great, he would surely be near the top of my list if he were still there) is not. On the other hand, there may be a Republican rep. or two who have entered the House since 2002 who are relatively more noninterventionist than the rest of the GOP.

At any rate, the way it's looking is that Duncan is the clear favorite.

[james1906]

My apologies on forgetting Duncan. I don't know how to edit the poll. Any admins, feel free to include him.

And who the hell voted for Frank? I put him there as a joke!

[Chester Copperpot]

Alan Grayson.. He always has his weapons in place when he goes into battle against Bernanke. He's reminds me alot of Dave Champion.

[t0rnado]

Fwank FTW!

[Sandman33]

Its a tie between Grayson and Kucinich.

But since I want a piece of Kucinich's wife and he had the moxy to pull that off....I gave my vote to him.

[klamath]

How much these congressmen vote with RP.

mcClintock=90%
Walter Jones=80%
Michele Bachmann=90%
Jeff Flake=100%
Dennis Kucinich=40%
Grayson, 30%
Nancy Pelosi=0%
Barney Frank=10%
Judging by the poll results I am starting to wonder if these should be called the RP forums anymore.
This place has nothing on the average american anymore. They vote for their favorite congressmen based on personally or one little issue not the overall way a congressmen votes for freedom.
Grayson belongs to the progressive caucus. I guess we are progressives now.

[BenIsForRon]

Ok...who the hell voted for Fwank? :mad:

Dude, you voted for Bachman. No room to talk. Just watch any of her interviews on Fox News.

[Young Paleocon]

Jimmy Duncan

[Peace&Freedom]

I voted for Bachmann, based on videos like the one below. Her performance on Faux Noise is irrelevant, because Faux is irrelevant:

YouTube - We Now Have A Total Gangster Government (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thR-lVuztIY)

[malkusm]

Dude, you voted for Bachman. No room to talk. Just watch any of her interviews on Fox News.

http://minnesotaindependent.com/34032/ron-paul-michele-bachmann

Also check out where she is on this chart (not the listing, but the visual on this page...fairly close proximity to RP):

http://innovation.cqpolitics.com/media/votestudy2009/

Of course, that's just for this session...but as others pointed out, she was voting with RP in the last session, as well.

[eduardo89]

I don't get how anyone here could possibly vote for Kucinich...

And let me remind you all, Grayson voted FOR cap and trade!

[Sandman33]

I don't get how anyone here could possibly vote for Kucinich...

And let me remind you all, Grayson voted FOR cap and trade!

I didn't know Grayson did that....that sonnovabitch.

Whats wrong w Kucinich?

[Kotin]

of course, I like some of them as people.. but Jeff Flake, hands down.


he is a real conservative.

[StilesBC]

Well, on various issues different reps are better. Jordan, Issa and a few others are also quite good when it comes to financial issues, but then turn around and support foreign invasions, etc. Others like Kaptur and some of the dems on that list are also good on financial issues, but support social welfare policies, etc.

So it depends on what issues are more important to you.

[Freedom 4 all]

Ok...who the hell voted for Fwank? :mad:

I was thinking of legalizing weed and the comic relief provided by his funny accent. I forgot about all the bank stuff when I pressed the button.

[BenIsForRon]

Well, on various issues different reps are better. Jordan, Issa and a few others are also quite good when it comes to financial issues, but then turn around and support foreign invasions, etc. Others like Kaptur and some of the dems on that list are also good on financial issues, but support social welfare policies, etc.

So it depends on what issues are more important to you.

Seriously, if you weigh military imperialism and financial regulations equally, then you have issues. Kucinich all the way.

[klamath]

Well, on various issues different reps are better. Jordan, Issa and a few others are also quite good when it comes to financial issues, but then turn around and support foreign invasions, etc. Others like Kaptur and some of the dems on that list are also good on financial issues, but support social welfare policies, etc.

So it depends on what issues are more important to you.

That's true. Like for me when a congressmen votes for foreign wars and then votes against abortion or a congressmen votes against the war yet turns around and votes for abortion they both cancel each other out.

Kucinich votes against the war then votes like this.
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life.(about the most horrible way to kill a human. (Oct 2003)

So pretty much for me those issues cancel out each other and the decision falls to how they stand on freedom and fiscal policy.

[erowe1]

That's true. Like for me when a congressmen votes for foreign wars and then votes against abortion or a congressmen votes against the war yet turns around and votes for abortion they both cancel each other out.

Kucinich votes against the war then votes like this.
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life.(about the most horrible way to kill a human. (Oct 2003)

So pretty much for me those issues cancel out each other and the decision falls to how they stand on freedom and fiscal policy.

I'm also staunchly pro-life and anti-Kucinich, but the sad truth about the partial birth abortion ban is that it was purely symbolic. It didn't save a single baby's life. It just outlawed one form of late-term abortion so that doctors who perform them would use some other equally grotesque means instead. I don't think Republicans really want to do anything serious about abortion (such as Ron Paul's We the People Act) because keeping the issue out there as one where we're always just on the brink of some major victory but never quite there is a great carrot to keep pro-lifers motivated to vote for them.

[ord33]

John Duncan would be tops on my list behind Dr. Paul. I'm located about 5 miles away from his district in TN. It sucks I cant vote for him!

[klamath]

John Duncan would be tops on my list behind Dr. Paul. I'm located about 5 miles away from his district in TN. It sucks I cant vote for him!
Yeaw, I would have voted for Duncan myself.

[klamath]

Rep. Alan Grayson was standing in the middle of Disney World when it hit him: What Americans really need is a week of paid vacation.


So on Thursday, the Florida Democrat will introduce the Paid Vacation Act — legislation that would be the first to make paid vacation time a requirement under federal law.


The bill would require companies with more than 100 employees to offer a week of paid vacation for both full-time and part-time employees after they’ve put in a year on the job. Three years after the effective date of the law, those same companies would be required to provide two weeks of paid vacation, and companies with 50 or more employees would have to provide one week.


The idea: More vacation will stimulate the economy through fewer sick days, better productivity and happier employees.


“There’s a reason why Disney World is the happiest place on Earth: The people who go there are on vacation,” said Grayson, a freshman who counts Orlando as part of his home district. “Honestly, as much as I appreciate this job and as much as I enjoy it, the best days of my life are and always have been the days I’m on vacation.”


According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 28 million Americans — or about a quarter of the work force — don’t get any paid vacation. The center says that a lack of vacation causes stress and workplace burnout and that those evil twins cost the economy more than $300 billion each year.


One more if-you’re-reading-this-then-you’re-probably-not-on-vacation fact: The United States is dead last among 21 industrial countries when it comes to mandatory R&R.


France currently requires employers to provide 30 days of paid leave.


Not surprisingly, some in the travel industry are salivating over Grayson’s bill; Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski said the U.S. Tour Operators Association and the Adventure Travel Trade Association are both on board. Other tourism and labor groups are expected to sign on in the coming days.


The U.S. Travel Association has not yet endorsed the measure, but Senior Vice President Geoff Freeman says Congress does need to consider new ways to stimulate the vacation industry and travel economy.


So far, no group has come out in opposition of the bill. Nor has anyone announced opposition to roller coaster rides, cookouts on the beach or salt-water taffy on the boardwalk.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22794.html#ixzz0MQlNPjO7

[klamath]

Grayson says he would promote higher fuel efficiency standards, support rewards to companies that create energy sources that are clean and renewable, ban drilling for oil off Florida coasts and support ending tax breaks to oil companies. He also says he would ensure that federal energy research is conducted by independent scientists.[2]

Grayson also says he supports a renewable electricity standard of 15% by 2020 a law mandating biodegradable consumer packages. He would also encourage the signing of a new global climate change treaty and capping and reducing greenhouse gas pollution and carbon emissions.

[klamath]

Grayson says he will support providing tax breaks for middle-class and working-class families, raise the minimum wage, strengthening labor laws. He also supports providing universal health care for all Americans, increasing federal financial aid to make college more affordable, making sure than there is job-training and re-training available to those who need it, and providing paid vacations and sick leave for all Americans who are working. [4] On the Wall Street bailout, Grayson said this on his campaign website, "We are often reminded that we live in a free market system. That certainly does not mean that the taxpayers are the suckers of last resort. It seems as though the free market's "invisible hand" has been balled into a fist, and that fist is about to punch you and me in the face".

[klamath]

Grayson has said he will support providing quality health care for all Americans at prices that are fair and affordable and increasing federal funding for stem cell research. Grayson also believes that the lack of health insurance for many people is not just a financial issue, but a moral issue,and that people have the right to quality, affordable health care for people and their families

[klamath]

On his campaign website Grayson says this about education, "We need to treat education like the investment in our future that it is, and not as an expense to begrudgingly pay. No matter where a child lives or what his or her family's background is, every child deserves this investment." He says he will ensure that schools are given more resources and support fully funding any federal education requirements, such as No Child Left Behind. He also says he would support increasing federal funding for electives, including art, music, and drama, promote stronger math and science education, increase funding for early education programs, increase funding for college financial aid programs. Grayson would also support pay increases and training for teachers, especially for those who teach in the neediest areas

[klamath]

.....

[Todd]

You might add Duncan from Tenn. The only other republican to vote against the Iraq war and had the second highest freedom index rating following RP, last year.

I was going to say the same thing. He get's a 80 on the freedom index though, but he was solid against the war before it was chic.

[Lavoro]

How the hell is Kookcinich beating Jeff Flake and Tom McClintock combined? Is it because he's a principled and honest socialist gun grabber?

[Mini-Me]

How the hell is Kookcinich beating Jeff Flake and Tom McClintock combined? Is it because he's a principled and honest socialist gun grabber?

Fwankwy, I think it comes down to nothing more than name recognition.

[klamath]

How the hell is Kookcinich beating Jeff Flake and Tom McClintock combined? Is it because he's a principled and honest socialist gun grabber?

I wanted to bump this for the weekday folks to see where the forum stands. Grayson was great against the fed but he is a progressive everywhere else.
If people that vote 100% with RP get 4 votes and people that vote 60% to 70% against RP, are wining the poll I think it is about time for me to take my leave of these forums. I might just as well hang out at daily Kos or LGF.:(

[Lavoro]

I wanted to bump this for the weekday folks to see where the forum stands. Grayson was great against the fed but he is a progressive everywhere else.
If people that vote 100% with RP get 4 votes and people that vote 60% to 70% against RP, are wining the poll I think it is about time for me to take my leave of these forums. I might just as well hang out at daily Kos or LGF.:(

But, but, but... Kucinich wants to audit the Fed!

[klamath]

Glad to see Duncan on there now.

[BenIsForRon]

I voted Kucinich, Jeff Flake and Walter Jones are close seconds, but I don't know where they stand on some social issues, like the drug war.

[__27__]

WTH is up with polls today? For instance, Bachman and Duncan have 18 and 6 votes respectively, yet Flake with 4 votes has a larger bar than both. This isn't the first poll I've seen it in.

?

[klamath]

WTH is up with polls today? For instance, Bachman and Duncan have 18 and 6 votes respectively, yet Flake with 4 votes has a larger bar than both. This isn't the first poll I've seen it in.

?

Check your eyes or your monitor.
No problems on my end.

[__27__]

Check your eyes or your monitor.
No problems on my end.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm290/Timps27/poll.jpg

[klamath]

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm290/Timps27/poll.jpg

It doesn't look like that on my monitor.

[Kludge]

Ahh....! Images of RPFs on RPFs is confusing me!

(graphs display fine on my browser)

[james1906]

In Duncan's defense, he was added later because I forgot to put him in. He should start catchin on, i'm tellin ya!

[james1906]

Ahh....! Images of RPFs on RPFs is confusing me!

(graphs display fine on my browser)

Yeah, I think I felt the universe stop. But that might just be the support Frank is getting in this poll. HE'S THERE AS A JOKE!!

[Romantarchist]

I picked Jeff Flake because he's just as fiscally conservative as Ron Paul but he's alot more socially liberal than most Republicans. For example, he supports removing alot of parts of the Patriot Act, is anti-War On Drugs and pro-drug reform (he gets very high ratings from NORML) and he voted against the Department Of Homeland Security as well as most nanny state laws in general. I think his freedom rating was 80% in The New American's index.

PLUS, I LIVE IN HIS DISTRICT AND I VOTED FOR HIM LAST FALL! :D :D :D

[newbitech]

grayson, hes new to congress and already making the right kind of waves. His district is right next to the one I live in, so it will be easy to keep an eye on him as well as use his influence in FL.