 If you think Senate Republicans are doing everything they can to stop Harry Reid's insane healthcare bill, think again. Erick Erickson at RedState.com, in his blog post "Fight" lays out many different procedural tactics they could use to delay and derail this legislation. Yet they are meekly presenting amendments and whining about being excluded from the process. Excluded? Hell, who wants to be a part of this?
Erickson states in his blog post: "The Senate, unlike the House of Representatives, has parliamentary rules and procedures that give the minority the ability to stall legislation. In fact, unlike the House, the minority have the ability to virtually paralyze the Senate." You'd never know it by the way they have been conducting themselves.
I am often perplexed when I see politicians do things that don't make sense. The Republicans cozying up to this healthcare plan is lunacy to the Nth degree. Rather than working to stop it, they seem willing to let it move forward with the addition of inconsequential Republican amendments. Why would they do such a thing? Erickson, in his post describes many ways that this thing could be stopped in its tracks, and at very minimum delayed until next year. It is a must read for all Conservatives who think their interests are being served by Republicans in DC.
I believe that many Republicans want to change the political landscape in America for the next 20 years or more, and they intend to use this healthcare legislation as a vehicle for that change. They are protesting and posturing, but ultimately, they are allowing the bill to slip toward approval. The Democrats are turning a blind eye toward the more than obvious negative consequences of Reid's bill, and Republican Senators are more than happy to allow that to occur. They won't put their names on it, but they won't ultimately stand in its way either. There is nothing the Republicans would love more than to say "I told you so" when it dawns on the American public that they have been had, and they are salivating at the thought of Democrats crapping and stepping in it. Unfortunately, what's good for Republicans, is bad for America and it is time for our lawmakers to decide where their allegiance lays.
This unholy alliance will not work. When you sleep with dogs, you wake up with fleas. Conciliation, cooperation and participation will only backfire on those who are now putting their own interest above that of our citizens. Republicans must demand a quorum, 51 Senators on the floor, and not allow dispensing with the rules. They must insist upon roll call votes and motions of cloture on each and every amendment brought to the floor. If this bill is passed before the Christmas recess, all is lost. We need more time, and the only way to get it is to invoke parliamentary procedure at every juncture. If you care about your healthcare and your wallet, contact Republican Senators at this website . Not just your own, but all of them and especially the leadership of McConnel , Kyl , McCain , Grassley , DeMint and Inhofe . It wouldn't be a bad idea to barrage Snowe and Collins either. Tell them to step up and do their jobs for the American people. If this bill passes, it won't mean a free ride for Republicans. Rather, it will be obvious that they did not do everything in their power to prevent it, and they will share responsibility for its disastrous effects for years to come.
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