1) This may be the most selfish vote in recent political history. Massachusetts voters (and their new Senator) do not object to government health insurance programs. They have one. In fact, their state program provides the model for the current Democratic plan. So, this vote is not the sort of ideological reaction that one might get in a southern or western state. I could understand that; I lived in Georgia.
But it's not that. It's pure selfishness. Brown voters don't want anyone else to have what they already possess. Nice. Kinda like Clarence Thomas's opposition to affirmative action. Always important to pull the ladder up after you. Shows good character.
2) It only matters because the United States Senate has become the world's most dysfunctional legislative institution. Due to the filibuster rule, it takes a 60 vote margin to call the roll in the morning. Close to 200 Administration officials await confirmation because the Senate, mostly Republicans, can't quite get around to it. It's tough working those 4 day weeks. They've now proposed a deficit commission because, y'know, passing a budget is toooooo hard for Kent Conrad, Judd Gregg, and their ilk.
3) The Senate's dysfunction matters because things need to get done. The United States in not in nearly as much decline as the Chicken Littles claim, but it faces serious problems. Our lack of an adequate public health insurance plan puts our products at a serious disadvantage in world markets; competitors either oppress their people (China) or provide such services for companies (Germany). Neither global temperatures nor social needs seem likely to go down soon and neither do federal deficits. Real decisions need to be made here. The Senate can't figure out what coffee they should serve in the morning.
4) The House should simply grit its teeth, pass the Senate bill, and fix it in budget reconciliation. Health care could be on the president's desk tomorrow, should our represenatives act like adults.
5) If they do so, the future still does not look bad for Democrats. They need to 1) Pass health care; 2) Compromise on cap and trade, attract Lindsey Graham (R--SC) and a coupla other R senators who are persuadable on that issue; 3) Put together a very tough financial regulation bill, force the Republicans to defend their owners, the nation's financial sector, and take it to the people if the Ds lose. No reason to compromise here. A health care or cap and trade compromise alleviates some of the problem. A financial regulation compromise does nothing; it leaves the banks free to do the awful stuff they've already done. So, big bill and fight it out on the merits and the politics. Attacking the big banks is a winner.
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