Every time I think I’ve heard it all, I’m reminded how terribly naive I am by assuming such a preposterous notion:
In the course of unveiling Obama’s new health reform proposal on a conference call with reporters this morning, White House advisers made it clearer than ever before: If the GOP filibusters health reform, Dems will move forward on their own and pass it via reconciliation.
The assertion, which is likely to spark an angry response from GOP leaders, ups the stakes in advance of the summit by essentially daring Republicans to try to block reform.
“The President expects and believes the American people deserve an up or down vote on health reform,” White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer said on the call.
What was I thinking? Just like the up or down votes we got on Judges back in the day under Bush, and now with Healthcare, Cap & Trade, and stimulus/bailouts…in every case we were given up or down votes…right?
You know, if we’re going to have laws forced down our throats against our will, however loudly we protest, when will we learn to just shout our mouths and wait for the memo telling us where to send the checks?
I’d like to think there is sufficient testicular fortitude within the GOP Leadership to tell the monarchy we won’t be attending the human sacrifice…and let them bleed themselves dry without our providing them the audience…but I don’t think such anatomy exists in sufficient quantities for Obama and the gang to bother listening.
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
It's funny isn't it?
bk (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 2:23PM EST (link)Bush judicial nominees didn’t deserve up or down votes, but thousands of pages of bills developed in secret with no GOP input or committee hearings deserve up or down votes.
They only want a vote
eastbaylarry (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 2:35PM EST (link)when they’re sure to win.
Kind of like some little kid whinning “I won’t play unless I can get a touchdown!”.
2+2=4 dammit!
I would differ with you in one regard
streiff (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 2:38PM EST (link)I think demanding and up or down vote on someone who is awaiting confirmation under the “advice and consent” clause is markedly different from demanding an up or down vote on a piece of legislation.
Demanding a vote on a nominee is arguably reasonable. Reordering a sixth of the GDP without hearings and amendments is just stupid.
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
I see your point on technical grounds streiff...
Dave Poff (haystack) (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 2:46PM EST (link)but the use of the term in this context still boggles the mind
“It does not take a majority to prevail … but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”
~Sam Adams
You obviously
10ksnooker (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 2:40PM EST (link)Don’t understand the dark of night tyranny of the majority governing.
Condescension
redrunner262 Monday, February 22nd at 3:07PM EST (link)They say this as if every person in America would vote on this, like a class deciding if it will go to the playground or ball field for recess. As if they didn’t have unfettered access/influence to those casting the votes needed. They say it as if they are unsure of what the outcome will be but they just want to be fair to the American people. Once again this needs to be re-branded, repackaged and resold to try and get people to buy, and if they don’t….well then take out your credit card because you will be forced to. Shame on them.
I would support and up or down vote
Tbone (Diary) Monday, February 22nd at 4:23PM EST (link)on Obama’s impeachment next year.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.