Posted on 11/08/2009 5:26:16 AM PST by LS
A new myth has arisen in the wake of last night's vote that a handful of "blue dog" Democrats from red districts were really in a position to stop Obamacare.
More than TWO MONTHS ago, I wrote a piece here called "What if they don't care?" and reposted here as "Grim Thought" (http://www.patriotshistoryusa.com/blog/grim-thought/)
Sadly, I was right. They didn't care. The entire choreography from August until last night was based on two tactical approaches: 1) "soften" the language just enough to get it by the public (NOT some "blue dogs") so that it did not appear as horrible as it is. This was 100% successful, as the AMA and AARPies all came on board; and 2) figure out which of the blue dogs would have to eat the bullet. It was only a numbers game. There were about 40-45 in really endangered positions, and thus at worst, only 5-10 would really have to be bribed or cajoled.
The final count was four, plus one idiot Republican (you can always find at least one fool on our side). The past two months have been about these two tactical maneuvers, and the last week was about figuring out which of some 45 endangered "blue dogs" would fall on their sword.
NONE of them are "heroes," because those who "voted against" Obamacare were merely released by Pelosi to do so---but they ALL voted for Pelosi and the Dem leadership to do what they did. In my eyes, they are no different than the Nationalist Party in Germany in 1932, which did not "vote" for Hitler, but didn't oppose him.
As for the five? They have been promised an all-out Dem blitz in the next election, and should they lose their seats, they have been promised gubment jobs in the administration. To quote Abe Karitz in the film "Tucker: The Man and His Dream," "You never had a chance."
But the GOP did offer a healthcare bill. It was a more dilute form of poison.
The democratic party has become a disciplined leninist party and adheres to the principle of “democratic centralism”. Once a decision is made by the leadership it is carried out and the appropriate followers are picked to make the necessary sacrifices for the good of the collective. If only the GOP had 1/10th the discipline. Watch the same game take place in the senate..
Well, previously, yes, the GOP didn’t have the discipline. They sure did on this bill and it was impressive. But for years I’ve screamed that the GOP needed to soundly PUNISH people like Snowe and Collins and MCCAIN who “broke ranks.” That should only happen one time, then boom! no more chairmanships, no more pork, nothing!! But I don’t see how anyone can whine about the GOP in this current battle. Maybe in the Senate Snowe and Collins will tank, but so far, they have done everything they can.
And introduced in a Dem majority where they knew it had no hope of passing. In a GOP majority, such a bill never comes forward. But I think you knew that.
I’m not sure what a ‘Blue Dog Democrat” is. I am sure that anyone who voted for this bill is a fascist.
Sadly, I was right. They didn't care. The entire choreography from August until last night was based on two tactical approaches: 1) "soften" the language just enough to get it by the public (NOT some "blue dogs") so that it did not appear as horrible as it is. This was 100% successful, as the AMA and AARPies all came on board; and 2) figure out which of the blue dogs would have to eat the bullet. It was only a numbers game. There were about 40-45 in really endangered positions, and thus at worst, only 5-10 would really have to be bribed or cajoled. The final count was four, plus one idiot Republican...
Blue dogs are only “beards” that keep some gullible people thinking that the Democrats are a moderate party. Without these “beards” the Dems would have a lot less power in congress. It always frosts me when I see “red states” voting for Democrats. What are they thinking?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.