A voice of reason”
Well, not really. The idea of “on to Congressional repeal!” would be fine, except that we now live in the era of everything-must-pass-the-Senate-with-60-votes.
And the GOP isn’t going to get 60 votes in 2012.
Even if they get it in 2014, that will be too late.
Yes, Roberts saved his reputation among his law school faculty buddies. They will sing his praises for his “courage”
But the country has been altered, again, and most likely there is no going back.
Dammit. I feel sick to my stomach today.
Oh the irony of Robert’s claiming Congress is the body that is charged with passing unconstitutional legislation.
I’d sure love to see his copy of the document.
except that we now live in the era of everything-must-pass-the-Senate-with-60-votes.”
I just got an email from Sen Cornyn and the NRSC. It talks about getting a majority and repealing obamacare.
It doesn’t even mention the need to break the “filibuster”.
If I were cynical, I’d say that this is exactly what the “conservatives” in Congress want. They want the liberal agenda to advance slowly, so that they can rail against it and ensure their re-election...but not really do anything about it. Ineffectively railing against socialism but doing nothing is the right’s version of racism.
Does Cornyn reall want to repeal obamacare? Again, if I were a cynic, I’d say, “nah...what he wants to do is raise money by calling for repeal”.
However, because it is officially a tax, you only need 51 votes in the Senate.
In 2010, the Senate passed the bill 56 to 43. The opposition included all the Republicans and three Democrats.
From the article: " because John Roberts concluded it was a tax, the Democrats cannot filibuster its repeal because of the same reconciliation procedure the Democrats used to pass it.".
The Democrats may be hoist on their own petard if it only requires 51 votes in the Senate to pass a repeal.