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What A *Novel* Idea, This “Up Or Down Vote” Brainstorm

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.

COMMENTS

  • bk

    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.

  • eastbaylarry

    when they’re sure to win.
    Kind of like some little kid whinning “I won’t play unless I can get a touchdown!”.

  • streiff

    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.

    • http://www.hickpolitics.com Dave Poff (haystack)

      but the use of the term in this context still boggles the mind

  • 10ksnooker

    Don’t understand the dark of night tyranny of the majority governing.

  • redrunner262

    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.

  • Tbone

    on Obama’s impeachment next year.