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.

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.

The Role of Moderates in American Politics

If you get a chance, read this post by Tom Schaller at fivethirtyeight.com about Evan Bayh and the hypocrisy of "moderates" in the Senate. I think it sums up very well the role so-called moderates such as Bayh, Blanche Lincoln, or Joe Lieberman should play in our legislative process. This goes for the guys on the other side of the aisle as well, although they seem to keep their "moderates" in line better, partially because they have far fewer of them.

For what it's worth, I consider myself a moderate. Granted, my idea of moderation sits far to the left of what Susan Collins, Joe Lieberman, or Evan Bayh would call moderation. My views and ideals run well to the left, and on things such as GLBT issues and the first amendment I am very adamant about my positions. However, from an operational standpoint I am flexible on most issues.

What the Republicans seem to understand better than the Democrats is the value of a perception of uniformity. That isn't to say that every body must toe the party line, or not try to influence policy. What it means is that those on the fringes in a party must respect the will of the majority. It is one thing to argue for, and get, concessions or changes to protect your viewpoint or your constituency. It is another thing entirely, however, to expect your position to be the majorities postion, and torpedo their efforts if you don't get your way.

Above all, once a decision has been made, or a bill is in place, it is your job as a moderate to get behind it. Support it enthusiastically yet honestly. Be willing to explain that it isn't your idea of perfect, or possibly even great. But also explain how it is best for the nation at large, while also saying why it helps your constituents. Never go on Meet the Press, Hardball, or any other bloviation station, unless it is to offer your support for the measure. I am sure that if "moderates" such as Joe Lieberman and Blanche Lincoln had taken this approach, real health reform would have been done well before the debacle in Massachusetts happened. Of course, that assumes these senators actually care about real reform, and not just the perception of reform.

To sum it up, a moderates job is not to bend the will of the majority to his point of view, but to smooth out the edges of that majority and stand as a check against government overreach and for transparency. A moderate who calls out his colleagues in public and stands in the way of effective government is not a champion of "bi-partisanship" or "post-partisanship". He's not a profile in courage, or someone to be admired. He is nothing but a hypocritical obstructionist, hell-bent on protecting the interests of his one man party, even at the detriment of his larger party or his nation.

* As if most Democrats in the Senate were wild eyed leftist extremists.

Democracy in Action: Demand Question Time

Last week, President Barack Obama visited the House Republican Conference in Baltimore, Maryland to answer questions. It was an excellent meeting, with mostly thoughtful questions from the representatives, and even more thoughtful answers by the President. It was without soundbites, without too much political preening, and thoroughly refreshing. You can view the remarks at CSPAN.

This is something that shouldn't be rare in a supposedly democratic society. Unfortunately this is not a regular part of Washington life, but hopefully this can change. If you are believer in real change, and a believer in better government, or just a fan of the UK Prime Ministers Question Time, please visit the Demand Question Time website.

As Nate Silver explains in this post about the subject, there are an awful lot of questions about how this would work. I agree that it would need to be random, if only to prevent what happened at Obama's meeting with the Senate Democrats this week. In that meeting, all of the questioners were Senators who just happened to be facing reelection this November. Thus, the questions weren't quite as frank as one would hope, and were far too concerned with politics instead of governance.

Will this become a part of our national calendar? I can't tell. Obviously a lot of powerful people on both sides of the aisle would stand to lose out in this scenario. However, the people that should truly matter, all 300 million plus and counting, would win out big. I figure if it can happen, this would be the President to do it.

Thank you, Mr. Plouffe

This is a good op-ed from David Plouffe, the architect of President Obama's 2008 campaign. It makes a lot of sense, and should be required reading for every Democratic campaign for office in November. It is good to hear that Mr. Plouffe is getting more actively involved in the 2010 campaign, as the Democrats need some common sense to stave off a reversal of fortunes.

An Open Letter to Glenn Beck and Jonah Goldberg

Dear Mr. Beck and Mr. Goldberg,

Please stop calling Adolf Hitler a liberal. Adolf Hitler rose to power on the back of rightwingers in Germany, people who felt they had been betrayed by effete liberals such as the Social Democratic Party, the Communists, and the Jews. The old aristocracy of the Kaiser led Germany backed him, including the power families that controlled Germany's largest companies. Just because he was a vegetarian, and hated smoking, doesn't make him a liberal. I know its hard for you to get your warped little minds around that, but I felt it necessary to try. If anything in the hapless Weimar republic resembles our Democratic party, its the ineffectual government coalition of moderates and leftists that couldn't stop the rise of the anti-intellectual, militaristic, xenophobic jackasses who supported Hitler and the National Socialist Party against their best interests.

Thanks,

Andrew C. Tate

p.s. You Lose

An Open Letter to Congressional Democrats

Dear Congressional Democrats (particularly those in the House),

SACK UP AND PASS THE DAMN HEALTH CARE BILL.

You've already paid the political price for the bill. Not getting it to Obama will neuter you for the rest of the year, and make a bad November even worse. Grow up, stop acting like chicken-shit stereotypical democrats, and actually do the damn job you were elected to do.

Sincerely,

Andrew C. Tate