Why We Must Get It Right On Healthcare
There has been some disturbing developments on the healthcare battle. First we are seeing the normal GOP ploy when it comes to “bipartisanship” in that their definition of the word means they get everything they want and the Democrats pass it. Case in point – Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo):
“I also need commitments from Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi, as well as the Administration, that the bipartisan agreements reached in the Finance Committee will survive in a final bill that goes to the President.”
The whole notion of “elections have consequences” just seems to fly over the heads of the GOP. Joe Sudbay has more on this.
Next we see a new battle brewing with Senate Democrats, and this is one battle I can get behind:
In an apparent warning to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), some liberal Democrats have suggested a secret-ballot vote every two years on whether or not to strip committee chairmen of their gavels.
Baucus, who is more conservative than most of the Democratic Conference, has frustrated many of his liberal colleagues by negotiating for weeks with Republicans over healthcare reform without producing a bill or even much detail about the policies he is considering.
“Every two years the caucus could have a secret ballot on whether a chairman should continue, yes or no,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “If the ‘no’s win, [the chairman’s] out.
