I'm not the one advising people on how to vote, who to vote for, and making the case that the party that broke all of its 2006 promises is somehow going to do better when we hand them an even bigger majority in 2008 (as expected).  That's YOU.  If you're going to make the case that they'll be better, it's incumbent upon you to back that argument up, not me. My argument is "they suck" and I backed it up with examples.

Not to be tendentious, but you were the one who asked your readers to rate the president, the senate, the house, and the blogosphere. I gave them a rating of zero, and gave several examples. You told me I was wrong: all I have asked you to do is back it up.  for you to tell me to "do my own homework" is to ask me to prove your point for you.

So, in the spirit of doing homework:

I could care less about the page revision act, since my kid's not a page nor would I allow him to associate with politicians (a depraved and psychopathic group of people, with rare exceptions), so I'll give that a neutral;

I'm not impressed with raising the minimum wage by attaching it to a bill that prolongs the war-fought-with-other-people's-kids: that's a minus;

the Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act, S. 214, essentially fixes something that the Democrats and Republicans alike chose to fuck up when they didn't actually READ the PATRIOT ACT before signing it, and in my family you don't get credit for gluing your little sister's dolly's head back on after you tore it off on purpose, so i give a neutral;

I'll grant that Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007 and the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission smack of common sense (although neither are truly "great accomplishments"), so let's be nice and give them a plus for each;

the Protect America Act is a piece of shit, I give 2 minuses for that one;

the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 seems like a good thing, so let's give them a plus;

from wiki: "The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA 2007), Pub.L. 110-114, is a United States law that reauthorized the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), and authorized flood control, navigation, and environmental projects and studies by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.[1] However, it does not appropriate funds for those projects and programs." So they passed a law, but not the funds to actually enact it, correct? if so, a neutral;

as for the energy independence and security act of 2007, "The bill originally sought to cut subsidies to the petroleum industry in order to promote petroleum independence and different forms of alternative energy. These tax changes were ultimately dropped after opposition in the Senate, and the final bill focused on automobile fuel economy, development of biofuels, and energy efficiency in public buildings and lighting."  so not too many points there, but enough for two pluses (they would've gotten more, but protecting the petro-profits is a steaming pile);

the economic stimulus act? don't make me laugh: two minuses for pissing on my head and pretending it's raining;

I can get behind Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), two pluses;

the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is still under consideration, so that doesn't count: neutral;

the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008 gives $162 billion to continue the-war-fought-with-other-people's-kids, and less than half that amount to provide education to veterans, and not even a tenth of that to extend unemployment benefits. O happy day! and a minus;

don't get me started on the FISA amendments act, 3 minuses;

I'm glad for the Burmese people that the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008 affects the junta.  But I don't live in Burma, I think jewelry is tacky anyway, and so it really means very little to me. Punish China instead for propping them up (oops, we can't, they own us).  so a neutral;

finally, isn't the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 essentially a taxpayer funded bailout of Fannie and Freddie?  Minus.

OK, so score time. there are 5 neutrals; 10 minuses, and  7 pluses.

thanks for the list of what this congress has done. As I expected, it's largely disappointing.  but I will change my scores:

The Bush administration 0
House Democrats 2
House Republicans 0
Senate Democrats 2
Senate Republicans 0
The Progressive Blogosphere 7

So basically, I'm handing out D-minuses instead of straight out Fs to the democrats (the GOP always gets Fs). And that's because I'm feeling light-hearted today.  

However, that's only legislation: if you add in inconsequential hearings, the refusal to enforce subpoenas, refusal to enforce inherent contempt, refusing to impeach, granting unconditional immunity to people like Goodling et al, confirming Mukasey (for just a few examples) to that list, that score goes down.

Calling it as I see it. Your mileage may vary.

Ya know, one of these days I'd like to be able to raise my glass and say "Yay! My Senator or Congressperson really did well today!"  I'd really like to do that.  When Bob casey was standing up against FISA, I was giving out the complimentary phone calls like I had unlimited minutes.  When FISA was blocked in the House, I actually called Steny Hoyer to congratulate him, and you KNOW how much I hate him.

I'm not cynical like you say, but there is only so much shit a man can take before he walks away and says "fuck it."  Who knows, maybe the 111th Congress will be teh awesome.  I'd sure like them to be, but given the record I'm not holding my breath.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??