If the Democrats who support one or more of the health care plans being floated/negotiated are so sure they will be good for the country, why the concern over passing a bill without any Republican support?
Given recent polls (gallop etc) show public approval for universal health care is currently less than 50% they might be concerned about the fast approaching mid-term elections. If they pass it without republicans willing to share the blame and it fails…
There’s a couple of issues here.
First of all despite how the media portrays it, the Democrats and Republicans aren’t really that far apart on issues. Usually one takes a side and the other opposes it.
Second of all, while it would be wrong to say Senators don’t support their party, by and by Senators are more loyal to their homes states, rather than a party. (Representatives are elected by district and unless there is only one Representative, as for a low populated state like Vermont, it is less obvious)
If a Democratic Senator from North Carolina is in office he has to make sure what he does benefits NC even if it goes against, Democratic interests, 'cause he’ll get the boot next election.
Also Congress works by trade offs.
For instance, Vermont has 2 senators, so does California. But the populations they represent are enormous in actual numbers. So if a dam needs federal money to be built those two California Senators have to get others to go along with it, because in the US Senate every states equal.
So what does a Vermont senator care about California, he doesn’t, but he may say “OK, if I vote for your California dam project, you need to help Vermont.” A Republican senator of a small state can use his vote to work with a Democratic senator of a large state to get things passed
Think of it like this, if your boss tells you to do something and it’s wrong, you can accept it or go over his head. But if you go over his head and they don’t fire your boss, you’re still gonna have to work with him and may need your boss later on.
Conversely your boss may have all the power, but the next time he calls you to come in for overtime, he may find you “accidently” left your answer phone on, so he works the shift.
So you have to make darn well sure you don’t use your power just because you have number, 'cause sure enough a few years down the road you won’t have those.
Because the democrats are a big tent and have their own conservatives which dont like the plan.
Now tack on the many senators and reps who get lots of campaign funding from big pharma, hospitals, doctors groups, insurance companies, etc.
In other words typical American politics.
While factual answers are necessary in this thread, the topic as posted will require opinions. Probably Great Debates is more suitable. Moved.
samclem Moderator, General Questions
Democrats from conservative districts are concerned about a successful health-insurance bill being tagged as too liberal for their constituents to accept. They likely believe that they would have better cover against such an attack if the bill were to pass with Republican support.
And a LOT of the new Democrats that are responsible for swinging the legislature to the Dems are blue dogs. Thus they are predictably to the right of the party’s more leftist leadership.