tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516524448870006829.post5170161883098270400..comments2023-10-17T08:04:08.714-04:00Comments on The Examined Life: Conservatives Win; Progressives Whine: How progressives handed conservatives a win in MassachusettsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614116686638969278noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516524448870006829.post-80634100139756492242010-01-24T10:19:20.663-05:002010-01-24T10:19:20.663-05:00My position is somewhere between your's and Ma...My position is somewhere between your's and Mark's (if that's possible). I think that those voters in Massachusetts who did not fall solidly in either camp were angered by the action of Senate Democrats in two ways. Yes, they were angered by their refusal to use their political power by employing perfectly legal and traditional procedures. (Since when was forty-one a larger number than fifty-nine?) They wanted them to stand on their hind legs for what they believe in. At the same time, they were angry and sickened by the deal cutting by people like Democratic Senator Ben Nelson; i.e., just more business as usual. In an amazing tactical blunder, Senate Democrats ceded the moral high ground and the military high ground of the political battlefield simultaneously. <br /><br />I would love to hear your response to a question I've asked elsewhere: "What would happen if Senate Democrats MADE the Republicans actually use the filibuster to kill a decent health care bill? (Perhaps a bill without the pork, but with a public option.)<br /><br />How would the country respond if they saw the Republicans reading the phone book day after day to kill health care reform?jack-of-all-thumbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02890408896745938386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516524448870006829.post-78787692302068100682010-01-24T01:43:26.361-05:002010-01-24T01:43:26.361-05:00I just so disagree with you on this one. Obama and...I just so disagree with you on this one. Obama and the democrats should never have given away the store on the Healthcare bill, the fault lies squarely on his unrealistic and never-going-to-happen insistence on a mythical "bipartisanship." We needed Lyndon Johnson style arm-twisting, George Bush style reconciliation arrogance, not a bill so compromised everyone can find something to hate.<br />The progressive left was not responsible for Coakley's assumptions, and not responsible for how many idiots, even in Massachusetts, watch Fox news and believe it.<br />Obama needs to start acting like leader and kicking some butt. This is a also an opportunity to sit back and call the Republicans bluff. Ask they what they propose and then shine a lot on the deafening silence. He's letting them get away with being the party of No. Grow some cojones, Barack. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Be a proud liberal instead of an apologetic centrist.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173711110500689117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516524448870006829.post-56582486352209218432010-01-21T08:35:45.899-05:002010-01-21T08:35:45.899-05:00hmmm... i hear your frustration- and share it.. bu...hmmm... i hear your frustration- and share it.. but, as is my way, i wonder what good will come of this... i think quite a lot actually... we have a chance to get it done more thoughtfully on the front end.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08348613155864799387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516524448870006829.post-38482088418935151322010-01-20T18:37:16.395-05:002010-01-20T18:37:16.395-05:00One other thing that may have played into this is ...One other thing that may have played into this is that Massachuesetts already has healthcare reform, there is nothing but more cost for them in a national bill (supporting other states). It will be interesting to see if the Democrats scatter and become every person for themselves, or find a way to stay together.Ken Richeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425810816600512504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516524448870006829.post-5124180792226786152010-01-20T15:29:47.140-05:002010-01-20T15:29:47.140-05:00If it's okay with you, I'm gonna just blog...If it's okay with you, I'm gonna just blog today with "What she said."Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166865250789996825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516524448870006829.post-58981001424852386602010-01-20T09:43:56.366-05:002010-01-20T09:43:56.366-05:00I'm with you, my friend. As usual, I agree who...I'm with you, my friend. As usual, I agree wholeheartedly.<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />SBSarcastic Bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17116577711704241625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516524448870006829.post-60654154799705066982010-01-20T08:47:41.039-05:002010-01-20T08:47:41.039-05:00I am stunned and I agree with your assessment. I&#...I am stunned and I agree with your assessment. I'm just speechless.Ms. Moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09776404747858099919noreply@blogger.com