Between 2000 and 2008 we would both marvel, and cringe at the extraordinary discipline among members of the Republican Caucus in the House and Senate. Anything Bush wanted, he got. Tax cuts for the wealthy, a giant hand out to Big Pharma, a nasty, lying war, absolution for every evil he perpetuated, as the Republicans joined ranks and handed the government to a virtual dictator. If any of them had been as smart as they thought they were we might have been in even more trouble, today.
Lock step. Party Unity. The Good Doctor Frist, and his evil shenanigans, driving the Senate to the brink of the abyss. The Hammer enforcing a level of uniformity that was chilling. No deviation. No difference of opinions allowed. "Get in Line" was the only rule..
Now we find ourselves in the majority...
"Where is the party discipline?", we moan.
"Where is the loyalty?", we demand.
"Who will step up and crack the whip?", we yell.
Oh, really?
Do we really want 60 senators to vote the way that they are told? Do we really want a majority in the House of Representatives to follow a set of instructions from the Majority Leader without deviation? Do we really want to return to the politics of a narrowly defined set of principles, handed down by the Leadership, dictated by the White House, or the National Party, or some unknown and unspecified group with skin in the game?
For the past eight years we were governed by fiat. Fiat from the Religious Right. Fiat from Wall Street. Fiat from the Neo-Cons.
Decisions were made reflexively, based on the pressure exerted, or clout perceived to be had, by various groups.
The result was very bad government.
There is a lot of hand wringing going on because the Democrats just won't get in line and behave the way we want them to. Because they won't behave like Republicans!!
There is an old joke about herding cats and Democrats. And there is an old Chinese proverb about being careful what you wish for.
There really is more at stake in each of the votes, and each of the decisions currently confronting he Legislature, than our narrow interests, or beliefs about what constitutes a good solution to the myriad problems we face.
Yes, we must hold the bastards accountable. Yes, we must work for out principles and for the election of good Progressive, Liberal candidates. Yes, we must remain involved, engaged, and informed.
But let us not wish for a return to the lockstep, militaristic discipline of the past 8 years - even if we think that the ends justifies the means.