Fit To Print

Words and Music

January 31st, 2009

A lot of people have criticized efforts by Obama and the Democratic leadership to get bipartisan support for legislation. I think this is a mistaken critique. For instance, it is hard for me to think of a successful social movement that didn’t involve at some point a good-faith attempt to engage the other side in a dialog. There are a lot of people out there who disagree with Obama and Pelosi and Reid and those people should have their voices heard.

This doesn’t mean giving in to ridiculous demands. Pelosi said hey, if the Republicans have good ideas we’ll include them. That is about right. And I have no problem with occasionally making concessions to ensure support, so long as the integrity of a bill is not compromised.

But with that willingness to hug it out, there must also be an understanding of the situation we’re in (and if at all possible, that understanding should be expressed in passive voice). Our political system is antiquated, and specifically designed to make structural and systemic change difficult. And the latter part is not a bad idea, especially when Republicans have devoted decades to tearing apart social insurance programs like social security and medicare.

But uh, the time for change is now. And that is going to mean using any legal means necessary to achieve reform. Pass the health care bill under budget reconciliation. Not because you have to, because you can. Because if you only need 51 yeas you are going to get a better bill. And to hell with the idea that there are certain types of things that don’t belong in this stimulus bill, and should be saved for a more appropriate piece of legislation. If it is a good idea and won’t prevent the bill’s passage, include it. Now is not the time for worrying about setting a bad precedent for how bills are created and passed. Now, as mentioned earlier, is the time for change.

And if Republicans want to filibuster, let them actually go through with it. See who really wants to talk for ten hours at a time to keep EFCA from becoming law. And for God’s sake, make these things better when they go to conference committee. It’s not cheating, it’s what they’re for. It’s what the Republicans have done since they could eat solid foods. If we see procedural loopholes that allow the abuse of legislative power we can pass laws to close them, but let’s not let misguided notions about how an ideal system should work prevent us from getting things done.

Another for instance, Gregg reportedly wants a promise that he’ll be replaced by a Republican if he vacates his seat to join the cabinet. That’s not how it works, bubba. New Hampshire has been shedding Republicans like waterweight since he was last elected, so I don’t see how Gregg’s actual constituents are best served by appointing a member from the minority party in that state to take his place.

Bipartisanship doesn’t mean agreeing the Republicans’ framing of the rules and issues. And if it does mean that, then it’s a stupendously bad idea. But being considerate and being persistent don’t have to be mutually exclusive. We’re not talking about cognitive dissonance, here, we’re talking about what’s necessary. I don’t think Obama gets the fighting aspect of the yin yang deal all the time, but he does get the other half, when so many progressives out there do not.

Entry Filed under: Politics