Did you ever see such a bunch of whiners in your life?
Now that it looks certain Democrats will have the votes to pass health care reform, Republicans are again whining about the process.
First, they accused Senate Democrats of foul play by approving the bill with 51 votes – even though majority rule is the way the Senate works.
Now, they’re accusing House Democrats of breaking the rules by using the so-called Slaughter Doctrine and not voting up or down on the Senate bill. Which is another red herring.
What Speaker Pelosi is considering – not decided, just considering – is using a procedure that, in fact, was created by Republicans and used by them dozens of times.
Here’s what it means: Instead of two votes – one on the Senate bill as is, and a second on changes to it – there will be only one vote – yes, an up or down vote – on the Senate bill, deemed approved, as amended by the House.
So, it’s one vote, not two. And it’s still an up or down vote.
Still, Republicans would rather whine about the process than talk about the product.
And no wonder. Because Democrats are trying to fix health care. Republicans are trying to do nothing.
That’s my parting shot for today.
