Sincere question - WHY is there debate in Congress and the Senate? Do any

[gateley]

of the debaters actually win someone over to their side? Do they ever change minds? Half the time I watch C-Span a person is "debating" and there's literally about 3 people in the chamber.

So other than getting their statements in to the record, what's the purpose? How does it benefit We The People?

:shrug:

Thanks

[cliffordu]

1. Well, IIRC,

The Senate is PART of the Congress. The other part being the House o' Reps.

But I could be wrong.

I guess they just like to bloviate.

[gateley]

16. I know, but you know what I meant. nt

[Greyhound]

2. It's the appendix of U.S. politics.

It served some purpose long ago but now it just dangles from the duodenum.

Politics is done in the back rooms and on 'K' Street, and the only issue discussed is who gets how much pork.

[gateley]

12. Agree. It's time to update. :-) nt

[KansDem]

3. It's the perception that they're doing something.

It's much easier to give someone a paycheck if it looks like they're doing something...

[gateley]

14. All we have to do is look at the backlog in the Senate and we'd realize that

perception is wrong.

[Duer 157099]

4. It's their way of comparing genital size

I know, it's stupid, but that's what they're doing.

[gateley]

13. But nobody is paying attention. The best they can hope for is a dramatic

clip shown on a news show.

[Duer 157099]

18. It's for each other, themselves.

Us? You think they give two flying fucks about us? No way, not even to brag about their dicks.

[zipplewrath]

5. It's not so much done on the floor

It's a parlimentary thing. It really means that now they can offer amendments, force certain kinds of votes, that sorta thang. The arm twisting and deal making goes on elsewhere.

[gateley]

10. That's what I thought -- the 'real' debate (read: deal making and arm twisting

as you say) goes on elsewhere.

Personally, I enjoy watching this sometimes (like now, when Franken is speaking), but I don't think it serves a valid purpose any longer. Our representatives can make their presentation to their constituents on their websites.

But no matter how passionate a speaker is, no matter how much sense s/he makes, no minds are changed as a result of the 'debate'. It's a colossal waste of time when they should actually be working to make some progress.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Also debate is done for the record.

If the law is enacted and later challenged, the court wants to examine the legislative history, what was its intended purpose and procedure, etc.

[gateley]

8. Understood, but it would be such a time saver if they just gave a copy of their

statement. We keep hearing about things sitting on the senate waiting list that have been there for months, this just seems to accomplish nothing, except, as you say, to get it in the record.

[AlinPA]

15. Agree. They do this all the time "ask for unanimous consent that my remarks be entered

into the record, ...and ask to revise and extend my remarks"..

[Deep13]

7. They did before mass media.

Now everyone's mugging for the camera.

[gateley]

9. Yep. And the only good that does is provide clips for the news shows or give

those of us who watch something to quote or talk about. It doesn't further the agenda of either side. It's a waste of time. IMO, natch. :7

[AlinPA]

11. Their waste of time talking to the microphone makes absolutely no sense at all. No votes are ever

changed by what they say. The bill should be sent to a clerk and a vote taken immediately, if it passes a cloture vote. Amendments should not be argued. That bloviating just adds to the bad blood in congress. Further, all that fancy furniture and carpeting is not needed.

(If you want to see waste at the state level, Pennsylvania's House of Representatives is the most ornately decorated and biggest waste of money one can imagine.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_House_of_Representatives

[gateley]

17. I don't mind the fancy digs in DC, but I'm with you on the State level. Absurd. nt