A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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May 03, 2004More gridlockThis story caught my attention today. WASHINGTON, May 2 — Senate Democrats, shut out of Congressional negotiations on Medicare and other important bills last year, are blocking House-Senate negotiations on other bills unless they are guaranteed a voice in writing the final legislation. I am not sure what to say about all of this, but I am reminded of Meg Greenfield’s book, Washington, that she worked on frantically to finish before she died of cancer. Greenfield compared the Washington political scene to "high school at its most dangerously deranged." When I read stories like this, I am reminded of that brilliant observation. Posted by Todd Pearson at May 3, 2004 11:22 AMComments
I'm also a big fan of Meg Greenfield. I always thought she was the best writer -- just in terms of pure writing skills -- of any of the columnists. I think they still have her columns collected at the Washington Post site, if anyone's interested. Posted by: William Swann at May 3, 2004 02:29 PMBoth parties are/have been guilty of majority excesses. I do find the practice of allowing conference committees 'carte blanche' really offensive. Legislators who simply rubber stamp such 'legislation' should be voted out of office. One other observation: at any given time there is only one side that actually has the power to change the tone, and that is the majority. If you have the power, you should get the blame. Posted by: Erasmus at May 3, 2004 06:26 PMExcept that in the arcane rules of the Senate, the majority doesn't really rule unless they have a super-majority of 60 or more votes--and the Republicans don't. That said, I think the Senate Dems have good reason for pulling the spoiled-brat routine. The point of the rule is to force debate, negotiation, consideration, and compromise, and the Dems have been cut out entirely. So they're using the one weapon they have left for its designated purpose. Posted by: Tully at May 4, 2004 04:19 PM |
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