Originally Posted By ecdc <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/health/policy/19repubs.html" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08...ubs.html</a> >>WASHINGTON — Given hardening Republican opposition to Congressional health care proposals, Democrats now say they see little chance of the minority’s cooperation in approving any overhaul, and are increasingly focused on drawing support for a final plan from within their own ranks. Top Democrats said Tuesday that their go-it-alone view was being shaped by what they saw as Republicans’ purposely strident tone against health care legislation during this month’s Congressional recess, as well as remarks by leading Republicans that current proposals were flawed beyond repair.<< About bloody time. Dump them by the wayside and just get it done already.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer The GOPs declared purpose in this fight is to destroy Obama. Forget bipartisanship at this stage.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>What took them so long?<< I think decent, reasonable people are always dazed and a little shocked when they see such unintelligent and illogical passion. It's a bit like having an adult conversation and all of a sudden you're punched in the face and you didn't expect it. You'll reel for a minute and figure out what just happened before you fight back. I've been extremely critical of Republicans and conservatives for the past four or five years, and I never, ever dreamed it would end up like this. I couldn't have ever imagined people would wave pictures of the President of the United States looking like Hitler around, or showing up to rallies with semi-automatic weapons on them, or shouting "heil Hitler" at a Jew, or carrying a sign that said, "Death to Obama." Of course, you know there's crazy people. But when they're united and organized, and then egged on by Republican officials, it's a whole other ball game. I truly hope it's been a wake up call to Obama to see how low these people will truly sink. I know it was for me. I know some people on these boards are fed up with people like me calling conservatives crazy, and stupid, and dangerous. But I'm a changed person after all this. All it would've taken is for Michael Steele, or John Boehner, or Eric Cantor, or Chuck Grassley, to stand up and say "This is wrong and we absolutely do not tolerate it in the Republican party!" and I'm good to go. But they didn't do it. They embraced it. They encouraged it. They denounced its critics for trying to stifle "Democracy in action." They egged on birthers. They defer time and time again to Limbaugh. Why on earth should I take conservatives remotely seriously right now? Why should I have any respect for them? And sorry, the whole "It's just a tiny group of crazies" won't wash anymore. There's plenty of data that shows that just isn't true.
Originally Posted By Mr X Good points EC. I think the Democrats made a brilliant move, pretending to continue negotiating and acting all hapless against con stonewalling while all the while waiting for the cons to hang themselves... Chuck Grassley did it for them, apparently..admitting in a Town Hall meeting that he wasn't negotiating in good faith at all and that there was NO bill that he would vote for. BOOM goes the dynamite. ***All it would've taken is for Michael Steele, or John Boehner, or Eric Cantor, or Chuck Grassley, to stand up and say "This is wrong and we absolutely do not tolerate it in the Republican party!" and I'm good to go. But they didn't do it. They embraced it. They encouraged it.*** Yup. You know, I'm surprised that John McCain hasn't stepped up to assume the "elder statesman" role, since in the campaigns he actually showed a glimmer of disgust towards the proceedings (granted, he caused them to happen by choice, but still). I mean, what does he have to lose at this point? He'll never be President, he's richer than Midas, and he's GOT to know that even losing the Senate Seat would be nothing compared to becoming the eventual "man who saved the party from itself" once the fringe hate-fest peters out (and it will). I suppose he's just too bitter?
