Did I misconstrue the meaning of an
NPR story this afternoon? I could've sworn I heard David Welna reporting that 1) not only did 7 Republicans split from the party to vote with Democrats to save Medicaid from massive cuts, but also 2) this might derail the budget, and therefore also close the door to ANWR drilling.
I'm hopeful for several reasons. One, it shows a chink in the armor of the Republicans - they can't screw over their fellow Republican governors and expect to be received with open arms back home. Two, the Republicans have assisted (again) with issues important to Democrats.
No budget means, among other things, no sneaky fillibuster-proof ANWR drilling. It would have to be brought up as a bill again, and one that would then need 60 votes, not a simple majority of 51.
I'm still disgusted, of course, with the Republicans who voted to cut Medicaid (and other entitlement programs) to reduce the deficit. I keep thinking that at some point I'll say, "Well, that's the last thing they can take away, there's nothing left" or "I am no longer appalled at the depths they'll sink to screw the have-less and have-nots for their own gains" or "2+2 DOES equal 5!" At least we can say that no Democrats (even our as-of-late regular turncoats) switched to vote with the amoral Rethugs.