Monday, March 22, 2010

John McCain Threatens to Take his Ball and Go Home

John McCain and his "reasonable" GOP friends have decided to roll up the welcome mat on working with President Obama and the Democrats in Congress. Why? Because the Democratic majority in both houses, and the Democratic President used their constitutional prerogative to pass the largest health care reform bill since Medicare. I suppose passing a moderate, sensible bill that is chock full of ideas Republicans have liked and suggested in the past now counts as a thwarting of the will of the people (despite very mixed evidence at best). Therefore, despite some Democrats bending over backwards to appease some Republicans, the so called "maverick" is going to put petty politics above legitimate governing. I'm not surprised, considering his complete abandonment of his "maverickness" in 2008.

The fact is, time and time again, Democrats from Max Baucus to Harry Reid to President Obama have gladly shown a willingness to work with Republicans. Unfortunately, the Republicans decided back when Obama took office to be the party of "NO". They stomp their feet, spout heinous lies about death panels and socialist plots, and do everything in their power to spit on the other side. When the Democrats get wise, the GOP then bitches about a lack of "bipartisanship", and use their mouthpieces over at Fox to make them look like victims of an evil takeover by SOCIALISTCOMMUNOFASCIAMUSLIMTHUGGISHDEATHPANELERS.

I understand why Republicans wouldn't want the opposition party to be handed victories. I understand the politics of being obstructionist tools. I'm not saying they don't have a right to do that. I just wish they were honest about it. If only because so many people eat up their bullshit like it is cotton candy.

But of course they aren't honest about it, because that would spell doom come November. Like it or not, bipartisanship is a positive word to most people. Nevermind that the GOP flavor of compromise is "screw your beliefs, accept ours and maybe we won't kick you in the nuts". This momentous and sensible reform bill was passed without a single vote by a Republican in the Senate, and only one GOP vote on the initial House bill. Believe me, Obama and company will figure out a way to get other things done while McCain, Graham, and the rest pout like fat spoiled brats who didn't get that third scoop of ice cream.

Go ahead and not work with the Democrats on immigration reform, and get used to losing in New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, and Arizona. Go ahead and refuse to work on financial reform, and lose your already slipping hold in the rural Midwest. Continue to bitch and moan and not do a damn thing. Let the bible thumpers, the Randites, and the Palinbots run the asylum. Go ahead and force yourself into being the bigoted and pathetic regional party found only in the South. We'll continue working on fixing our problems, and will be glad to share our solutions with you. After all, its only neighborly.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

The Sausage Works: Health Care Bills pass the House

The Health Care bill, first passed by the Senate in December, has been passed by the House 219-212. That bill then goes to President Obama. In addition, they've passed the Reconciliation package on to the Senate, with 217 votes currently.

I'll have more to say on this subject later. All I have to say right now is history has once been made, this time historic law. The fight that began with TR and the Progressive movement of the early 20th century has won a major victory. Whether or not the Senate drops the ball on the reconciliation package, health care reform is heading to the White House. It's history, and not a damn Republican has signed on to it.