I am not a political historian, so I am not sure enough in my feelings to make this claim definitively, but I am starting to feel that the current Democratic party might just be the single least effective party ever to hold such a large majority in Congress. Just comparing to recent history, I am looking at how much Bush was able to get done with only a one-vote majority in the Senate. Set next to that, you'd think today's Democrats were still the minority party. But I'd like to see how others feel, so I've posted a poll.
Now you may say, look at all the stuff they've passed already, the stimulus, stem cell research, etc. But really, what that amounts to is either simply trying to undo some of the massive damage Bush did, or passing laws that even a lot of Republicans would have supported in saner times. They've passed a lot of legislation, but I don't think anything so far has really been a test of their majority. Now, in the face of the first true test of that majority, with the most political capitol they're going to have in the next four years (or more), they seem unable to gather the will to actually do what they need to do. And yes, I'm sure there are those holdout Senators who are making this hard, but what happened to the kind of party leaders who would say to such folks, "If you screw us on health care, we will take away all appropriations for your state. We will vote down every amendment or bill you sponsor the rest of this Congress. We will render you pointless." What happened to leaders who knew how to run a majority?
So, you may say, "But my representative is a true progressive, you can't blame her for this." You know what, I can. If the progressives stick to their guns and really will not vote for a bill without a public option, then I won't have to blame them for anything, but if they cave, then damn them all together. I might support some of them in the future if they run as independents.
I am quite seriously thinking about switching to the Republican party if the health care bill fails. Not because I truly believe in their system, but because they get shit done when they are in control, and if I need to do what is best for my family for the future, maybe I should just admit that supporting the Democratic party is just shoveling money into a toilet, and that if I gave it to the Republicans, at least it would be a gold-plated toilet. I'm smart, and if I decided to live my life by the Republican principles of, "I got mine, screw the rest of you," I could probably do pretty well for myself. I do truly believe we're all better when we look out for each other, but if there isn't going to be a party in Congress who can actually turn those ideals into legislation which truly helps everyone, then I'm going to plan B. I'm 42 years old, and I'll be damned if I'm going to waste the rest of my life supporting the least effective political party ever. So, as a Republican said, this truly is the Waterloo moment for me as far as the Dems are concerned. If they can't get this done, then I am done.
(and yes, if the bill does finally come through with a real public option, then I will take all this back. but I am truly at the end of my rope and my tolerance. I will not travel one step further down the road with this party if they fuck up health care reform.)