When I studied American Government in high school, the political paradigm was that opposing sides in a political discussion attempted to find ways to agree, a consensus that would be acceptable to both. The advantage of having a two party system was that that guaranteed a difference of opinion without having so many opinions that consensus would be impossible. The best outcome was something that both sides could be willing to support.
But in the U.S. Senate at least in respect to the proposed Health Care Initiative, the paradigm seems to be that the Democrats propose and the Republicans oppose. While I understand that the Democrats have tried to get Republican input, none has been forthcoming. It is a total embarrassment that 10% of the American workforce are uninsured, that many of those who are insured are afraid of changing jobs for fear of losing that insurance. Over half of all bankruptcies are caused by medical emergencies and it is not uncommon to see bake sales for kidney replacements. The United States of America stands alone among developed countries in not having comprehensive medical insurance for ALL its citizens. And instead of arguing how this insurance should look, who should be covered, and how it should be funded, our representatives in the senate and still arguing WHETHER we should have such insurance. I wonder whether our senators should have to retake high school American Government.
What annoys me is the idea that it's better the idea that the minority must do everything in their power to make sure nothing happens (good or bad) in congress. And then at the next election, the majority switches, and it starts all over.
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