Monday, June 19, 2017

Déja vu all over again?


I see Bernie Sanders is at it again.

Democrats gearing up for a new round of battles against Republican efforts to do away with Barack Obama's signature health care law are condemning a US Senate replacement bill being crafted by Republicans behind closed doors.

Senator Bernie Sanders urged Democrats on Sunday to do "everything they can" to oppose a Republican bill that for weeks has been drafted by party leaders in secret.

"My understanding is that it will be brought forth just immediately before we have to vote on it. This is completely unacceptable," Sanders, an independent who is a member of the Democratic party leadership, told CBS's "Face the Nation" program.

"It seems to me that what they want to do, because this legislation is so bad, is keep it secret, keep it hidden, and in the last possible second rush it before the Senate and get a vote within a few hours. That is beyond belief," Sanders said in a separate interview with CNN.

There's more at the link.

Well . . . dare one suggest that those Republicans have learned a thing or two from another senior Democrat, back when Obamacare was first passed?  In March 2010, Nancy Pelosi infamously opined:

But we have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy.

I actually agree with Senator Sanders that what the Republicans are doing is unacceptable.  However, if he's so concerned about it, why didn't he object when the Democrats did precisely and exactly the same thing to pass Obamacare, back in 2010?

Democratic pot, meet Republican kettle.  Kettle, pot.  Sauce, goose, gander.  Wash, rinse and repeat.




Peter

4 comments:

Antibubba said...

Which doesn't make it right. Legislation-making should be open and transparent. I'd like to know what's in it; how else can I support/oppose my representative?

Leatherneck said...

Your two points: hypocrisy (OMG!) from the lefties and just plain bad government by each side, add up to a failing American way of life. What comes next? War or peace?

TC

Unknown said...

we saw how nicely the Democrats cooperated with the house bill when there was extensive and more open debate about it a few months ago (sarcasm tag here in case you miss it)

The Democrats aren't going to cooperate on anything that's billed as reversing Obamacare, no matter what.

David Lang

Anonymous said...

I am long over the premise that there is some ethical virtue to transparency. There is a premise, often quoted, that war is the end point of politics. In that understanding, politics is war without bullets.

I AM NOT invoking a call for violence whatsoever; I am seeking that the GOP fight this as a war, and use every legal strategy and tactic to defeat the communist democrats. If the delicate sensitivities of some are bruised, too bad.

When Sanders et al have been reduced in power to the point that they can hold their convention in a phone booth, that will be a good start.