Rule book may guide passage of health bill
Wall Street Journal
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Washington —- Congressional Democratic leaders and the White House are likely to use a parliamentary procedure to win passage this year of a national health insurance program, people familiar with the discussions said Thursday.
The tactic —- allowing legislation to pass the Senate with 51 votes rather than the 60 needed to overcome a possible filibuster —- has been used by Republican and Democratic administrations to secure major initiatives, from Bill Clinton’s tax increases in 1993 to George W. Bush’s tax cuts in 2001 and 2003.
Employing the tactic would almost certainly lead to more partisan clashes as President Barack Obama’s budget starts down the legislative path in coming days.
It's true that this type of stunt has been pulled by both parties in the past, and I realize it will probably continue to happen in the future. However, if Congress and the President feel that this is an important issues, and an issue THAT PEOPLE WILL SUPPORT, then this type of funny play should be unnecessary. Right? If you believe you will get the votes you need, why turn things around so you don't NEED all of the votes? And if you are not sure you're going to get all of the votes you need, why not figure out what is wrong with the bill you are trying to pass rather than manipulate the voting structure?
I ask this of the current President and Congress, but I also challenge all future Presidents and members of Congress to see the logic in what I am asking. Just because you feel something is important for America and your constituents does not MAKE it important to America or to your constituents. Listen to the people. And remember that just because something is legal, doesn't make it right.
(Not EXACTLY the same issue, but still funny!)
2 comments:
I remember when the Democrats were the minority party they made a lot of noise about how our government was set up so that the views of the minority would have to be considered. It sounded to me like they were saying they had lost the election, but we still had to do things their way.
Now they have control of the government and the Republicans--and even most members of the Democrat party--are shut out of the process of drafting legislation. Combine that with a radical leftist of a president and this country is in very real danger of being taken over by a socialist oligarchy.
Not even going back THAT far...our President said he was going to be a bipartisan president. This does not sound bipartisan, but is merely pushing through pet projects.
He sounds so sane and logical until you actually think about what he is saying and doing and ALLOWING.
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