Filibuster Record by Republicans – Does Government Work At All?

Republicans Setting Filibuster Record In the US Senate

President Obama had an ambitious agenda when he took office. A majority of Americans voted for that agenda. However, there are rules in place that give the minority some power, and one of those is the ultimate tool of obstruction – the filibuster. Right now, Republicans are using this tool at a record place. This means that a simple majority will not be enough to get legislation through Congress.

What it also means, in my opinion, is that we taxpayers are spending a lot of money to get nothing done. It is amazing that the wheels of our nation are moving at all with these obstructionist tactics. And what is it all for?

Well the concept arose from our national sense that the majority rules, but the minority must be protected. However, in this case, I hardly think it is used to protect some disadvantaged minority, but simply for political gain. The minority, in this case the Republicans in Congress, want to score political points by keeping the majority from getting anything done. They want to stall progress, and so they want to stop progressives.

Health Reform

If you are over 50, you should be concerned about health reform. Even if you have an employer plan, you know that costs are rising, and your own coverage is at risk.  A lot of large companies are asking their employees to shoulder a greater part of this burden, or they are cutting benefits. If you are a small business owner, you know how much more expensive it is to keep a good health care plan for your family and employees. This problem is hurting business! Many companies, large and small, are in favor of US health reform.

The only group that I can see to benefit from a lack of progress are the insurance companies. We need to look at our problems and will make sensible changes that will benefit health consumers (all of us) and medical providers.

The health insurance companies, in my opinion, should be at the bottom of our concerns. Why aren’t they? That is a question you should ask. One other question you should ask is how our representatives would be reacting if they had to purchase their own health insurance or depend upon Medicare.

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Related posts:

1. Health Care Reform 2009 Proposals and Debacles
2. Health Care Reform – Fact Check
3. Health Care Reform – A Short History: FDR to Obama
4. Who Will Health Reform Help Now?
5. Will Health Reform Hurt Medicare?

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