Democracy in Crisis?

With a federal government shutdown looming Congress has until tomorrow to pass a federal budget. As I have noted in previous posts and as has been noted in the news quite frequently: the Republicans and the Democrats have different ideas about the budget, economics, and ideology. And both sides seem to be "sticking to their guns" about their fundamental values creating an atmosphere that is hampering debate and resolution.

Currently the Republicans are continuing their efforts to starve the American political apparatus. I argue they used bullying and coercion to get their way with extending the Bush tax cuts at the end of 2010 and are attempting to do the same thing now by trying to cut vital spending on social services and other necessary federal programs (http://bachmann.house.gov/UploadedFiles/01_24_11_Potential_Spending_Cuts_and_Estimated_Money_Saved.pdf). Their argument seems to be that cutting federal government spending will cure our economic problems. (I am curious what economics class teaches this....)

As a rhetorician and debater I appreciate and respect their position. However, as a rhetorician, debater, and citizen I am disappointed with how they are practicing their rhetoric and debate. I argue that they using unethical persuasive tactics, such as: Coercion and bullying to get their way.  (not to mention fallacious reasoning).

As this video shows they are arguably framing the debate in such as way as to suggest that they are completely right, their opposition (the democrats) are completely wrong, they are trying, the opposition is not, they care about people, the dems must not for they are wrong and not trying, etc etc etc.

What I would like to see from our Congressional representatives is genuine attempts at ethical debate practices. I would like to see reason without fallacies. I would like to see fair representations of the opposition and opposing positions. And I would like to see more respect for our citizenry and political apparatus.

My challenge or homework for you out there (if there in fact is anyone out there who views this blog), is to: First, see how many fallacies and fallacious reasoning you can identify in this video; and second, try and find an example of any of the speakers in the video participating in ethical debate practices that are representative of our democratic debate ideals. Obviously the first one is easier than the second. But, I am eager to see the good side of these speakers and leaders and would like to be shown them in ethical debate form.

It is important to critically examine this budget process, because the leaders in office right now will eventually be up for reelection and a question that we should ask ourselves is: Are these speech acts what we want to see from our leaders?