# Dems..don't bother to ask about how the Bush admin is spending tax dollars..
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [November 8, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028 "2003-11-08T03:23:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/1 "2003-11-08T03:23:15Z")
They won’t answer.
> [@](#):
>
> The Bush White House, irritated by pesky questions from congressional Democrats about how the administration is using taxpayer money, has developed an efficient solution: It will not entertain any more questions from opposition lawmakers.
So now they are saying they don’t have to answer questions? Where do they get off?
They are to be held accountable for every dime they spend.
What’s next?
Democrats will be expelled?
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### Author:  [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/2 "2003-11-08T03:24:34Z")
[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9708-2003Nov6.html?referrer=emailarticle](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9708-2003Nov6.html?referrer=emailarticle)
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### Author:  [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/3 "2003-11-08T04:26:05Z")
wow. just…wow.
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### Author:  [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/4 "2003-11-08T04:41:29Z")
Wha? Oh, Reeder.
Nevermin…zzzzzzzzzzzzz
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### Author:  [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/5 "2003-11-08T05:13:19Z")
It reminds me of the change in policy on email to the White House. You have to go through hoops of fire before your email reaches the usual File 13.
Such arrogance.
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### Author:  [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/6 "2003-11-08T05:29:50Z")
So they ask that requests for information be routed through the committee chairmen in an effort to reduce duplication? Fuckers!
**Reeder** , if that was required of one of any of your threads we’d all still be woefully ignorant of the query.
Do you jack off to CNN?
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### Author:  [@hansel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hansel)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/7 "2003-11-08T05:46:44Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by lieu \*
> **So they ask that requests for information be routed through the committee chairmen in an effort to reduce duplication? Fuckers!**
That’s right, through the **Republican** committee chair, who, at his discretion, can forward or not forward those question to the White House
So, will difficult question from Democrats be forwarded with aplomb, or with simple speed, do you think?
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### Author:  [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/8 "2003-11-08T06:08:09Z")
‘Question Time’ in the Aussie Parliament is the time when opposition members get to grill the sitting members on the repercussions of legislation that has been introduced, or whether there are too many problems with proposed legislation. An opposition with ‘power’ to challenge decisions made by the government is a necessary thing for a democracy to function effectively.
Take away the rights of the opposition to ‘question’ _at
their will_ and you are left with a government that can do as they please regardless of any political consequences.
:mad:
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### Author:  [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/9 "2003-11-08T06:19:58Z")
Are you suggesting that a ridiculous inquiry as to the amount spent on a blasted banner should generate anything more than an eye rolling request not to be fiscally irresponsible?
This was partisan. This was stupid. I’d slap my own granny for such sillyness.
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### Author:  [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/10 "2003-11-08T06:29:26Z")
… generated, **kambuckta** , from **hansel** ’s assertion of "difficult question"s.
I sincerely doubt a less disingenious inquiry would be treated in such fashion. Seriously, look at what generated the Pubby response. That’s guffaw material if I’ve ever seen it. All they’re saying is cut the bullshit.
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### Author:  [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/11 "2003-11-08T06:36:17Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Are you suggesting that a ridiculous inquiry as to the amount spent on a blasted banner should generate anything more than an eye rolling request not to be fiscally irresponsible?
Course, the fact that Bush has been caught lying repeatedly about the origin of this campaign banner has got _nothing_ to do with anyone’s interest in knowing, or not disclosing, how much the taxpayers got fleeced for its production, right ? Damned thing probably had Rove’s cum stains on it.
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### Author:  [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/12 "2003-11-08T07:02:52Z")
> [@](#):
>
> …the origin of this campaign banner has got nothing to do with anyone’s interest in knowing, or not disclosing, how much the taxpayers got fleeced for its production, right ?
We’re allowed one huge fucking secret, right?
Would I feel any pressure if I pushed my finger against you?
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### Author:  [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/13 "2003-11-08T08:30:58Z")
Forget the banner, I wanna know why the White House is still being uncooperative with turning over papers for the 9/11 investigation. Or is this a new way of fighting the “War on terror,” by stonewalling?
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### Author:  [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/14 "2003-11-08T08:39:03Z")
**lieu** , dude, we already ate the huge fucking secret after that last bong hit. It was that lemon cake, or something like that. I’ve had the shits ever since, and I swear my teeth are falling out.
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### Author:  [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/15 "2003-11-08T12:57:44Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by lieu \*
> **I sincerely doubt a less disingenious inquiry would be treated in such fashion.**
I’d say the point is, that they’re actively seeking a structure that _allows_ the Republican committee chair to dismiss Democrat questions as he sees fit. If that isn’t a breach in democracy, I don’t know what is.
I’m not arguing that spending too much time on discussing the funding of GWB’s wank banner isn’t counterproductive, and I’m not arguing that the whole “Mission Accomplished” ordeal, ironically wrong as it turned out to be, is somehow of great importance: it’s just an example.
C’mon man. Had Clinton installed a policy allowing his committee chairs to dismiss critical Republican questions as they saw fit, you would have been on the barricades, even IF the intention of installing such a measure was to cut down on frivolous questions.
_Whether intended or not, it allows for governmental censorship of critical opposition questions._ Therefore, it’s a **bad fucking plan**.
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### Author:  [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/16 "2003-11-08T14:27:59Z")
Slightly off topic, but is anyone else (besides me, that is) reduced to helpless laughter by the image of George Bush trying to respond to questions the way that, say, Tony Blair has to, when “question time” arrives? I think I’d give a month’s income to have such a spectacle put on prime-time TV.
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### Author:  [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/17 "2003-11-08T15:02:10Z")
“Wank banner” - excellent.
I’d pay good money to see GWB in the bear’s pit down at the Westminster PMQs, and I’m pleased to see that a couple of Aussie MPs heckled him. US presidents are kinda pampered compared to other democratic leaders.
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### Author:  [@Ben\_Hicks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ben_Hicks)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/18 "2003-11-08T20:58:34Z")
Kinda pampered? Bush wouldn’t last 10 minutes in the houses of Parliament.
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### Author:  [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/19 "2003-11-08T21:21:39Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I’d say the point is, that they’re actively seeking a structure that allows the Republican committee chair to dismiss Democrat questions as he sees fit. If that isn’t a breach in democracy, I don’t know what is.
Then maybe the Democrats shouldn’t ask stupid questions. It’s kinda like the conundrum with bacteria and antibiotics… use too much penicillin and you’ll get resistant bacteria strains. Well, the Dems used too much penicillin, and now they’re being told to shut the hell up.
Sounds fair to me.
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### Author:  [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-dont-bother-to-ask-about-how-the-bush-admin-is-spending-tax-dollars/212028/20 "2003-11-08T22:11:23Z")
Standard treatment for when the Pubbies give you the claptrap.
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