Voters unhappy with Congress

A recent Gallup Poll shows that only 29 percent of Americans approve of how Congress is doing its business. I'm not one of them.

Thus far, I'm not impressed with what the Democrats are doing in Congress since they took over in January. There are many, many pressing issues that need to be addressed, but thus far it's been "All Iraq, all the time." Of course, Iraq is the most important issue, but it's not the only issue.

My letter writing campaign starts today, and on issues that I really feel strongly about, I'm calling my Congressional representatives directly. A few weeks ago I called both my Senators and my House Rep. about the Iraq funding bill, and it felt amazingly empowering. I called a bit too early in the day, so I left messages with everyone. (FYI - Most Congressional offices open at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.)

If you have an issue you feel strongly about, call the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 225-3121. All you have to do is give the operator your zip code, and you'll quickly be connected to your House Representative or Senator.

Give them a call or drop them an e-mail to let them know you're unhappy with how things are going. As I mentioned earlier, I'm going to start writing letters today on a number of issues, and I'll share those letters with you as I send them.

Bush flubs history class with... um, class

President Bush needed a little help with some dates earlier today, during a speech on the South Lawn of the White House.

Standing with Queen Elizabeth II, Bush recalled her previous state visits, but had a little problem with the dates.

"You helped us celebrate our bicentennial in 1796," he said confidently, but quickly realized his error. "Er, 1976," he corrected himself, to laughter from around the lawn. Her Majesty, smiling broadly, gave him a knowing sideways glance.

To another outburst of laughter from the crowd, he told her: "You gave me a look only a mother could give a child."

Indeed.

It's been well documented what Dubya said to the Queen during her last state visit to America as the guest of his father in 1991. Bush approached the Queen and said: "I'm the black sheep of my family; who's the black sheep of yours?" Dubya's mother, Barbara, gave him a withering stare and turned to the Queen. "Don't answer that," she said firmly to her royal guest.

At least Bush is making progress. With approval ratings hovering around 28 percent, he's now the black sheep of a whole nation.

Photos from AP

Newsweek Poll: Things are greeeeeat!

Newsweek conducted a poll late last week that will be released in Monday's edition (it's available online now) that details just how poorly things are going right now.

Of course, when polls don't reflect favorably on this administration, "they aren't poll driven," but when they show a favorable response to what the president supports, the Bush cabal is more than happy to cite them during press conferences and interviews.

Anyway, the whole poll can be found Here, but I'll offer a few highlights...

Q4. All in all, do you think the United States is making progress or losing ground in its efforts to establish security and democracy in Iraq?

Losing Ground: 61%
Making Progress: 29%
Don't Know: 10%

Q5. In general, do you favor or oppose President Bush’s decision earlier this year to increase the level of U.S. troops in Iraq?

Oppose: 64%
Favor: 32%
Don't Know: 4%

Q6. Do you favor or oppose Congressional legislation that would require the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by the fall of 2008?

Favor: 59%
Oppose: 34%
Don't Know: 7%

Other Stats

58% think the firing of 8 U.S. attorneys was politically motivated. 45% of Republicans think so, too.

35% want Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to quit. 32% think he should stay. The rest clearly haven't been doing their Constitutional duty of keeping up with the news.

55% think the administration has choked badly on Walter Reed (the neocons seem to be slipping though - where's the Clinton scapegoat angle?)

President Bush's approval rating is still at 30%. Sheesh. This means that MORE people believe that AG Gonzales should stay than think Bush is doing a good job. Maybe the president should just get away from all of this burdensome responsibility that the American people voted him into office once to accept. How about a weekend in Camp David, Mr. President? Wait - he already took that advice.

The great news: 27% approve of how Bush is handling the War in Iraq. That should be encouraging to the Stay the Course Bushies.

Speaking of the war, somebody is celebrating a birthday next week! It just seemed like yesterday you were conceived in the bowels of the Pentagon (don't tell you mother I told you that). We never guessed that having you would have cost us so much money (over half a trillion dollars, to date) and blood (3,200+ Americans, and counting), but we'll keep sticking to the story that you were an accident and not planned all along.

We're doing our best to raise you, but at this point, we don't know what you'll grow up to be - our 51st state, a civil war (too late), World War III, another South Vietnam, all of the above, or victory?

At this rate, we'll never be able to afford college for you - we may have to declare bankruptcy by then.

Picture (screenshot) taken from MSNBC broadcast on 3.17.06