Going It Alone

The same Republicans that smugly predicted a "permanent majority" in Congress and used the budget reconciliation process on a number of occasions during the last administration to pass legislation over the objections of Democrats in the minority is now warning of a "revolution" should Democrats attempt to do the same.

"I think that would wreck our health care system and wreck the Democratic Party if they did that," Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) told reporters during a Tuesday conference call. "[T]here would be a minor revolution in the country."

He's beginning to sound like Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK). Which is telling for a senator who's normally thought of as one of the GOP's less abrasive members. And though Alexander probably isn't the best source of information for what will or will not wreck the Democratic party, his dramatic words signal that the Republicans take the threat seriously.

And they're not just resorting to tough talk.

According to The Hill, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH)--ranking member on the Budget Committee--has prepared "hundreds of procedural objections" to the Democrats' health care plan, should they try to avert a Republican filibuster.

(Back in 2005, Gregg argued in favor of using the reconciliation process to approve drilling for oil in ANWR. "The point, of course, is this: If you have 51 votes for your position, you win," Gregg said at the time. "Reconciliation is a rule of the Senate (that)...used before for purposes exactly like this on numerous occasions... Is there something wrong with majority rules? I don't think so.")

So despite the hypocrisy, the Republicans are willing to do anything and everything possible to stop health care reform. The GOP doesn't want to debate the pros and cons of legislation. They are not interested in working with Democrats to get affordable health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. They have no intention of reforming the system or lowering health care costs that are spiraling out of control.

All they care about is stopping the Democrats from passing a bill. That's the only thing that matters, not you, not me, not anyone but their own fleeting political power. No, there's nothing wrong with "majority rules". It's how this country has worked for 230-plus years. When the majority changes, the rules change.

Republicans don't care about the process. They only care about winning. The Village of course is buying the GOP story that reconciliation is the worst thing ever done if Democrats do it and are playing them hook, line, and sinker.