11/07/2009 (1:58 pm)
Procedural Justice
God bless Tom Coburn.
Sen Tom Coburn (R, OK,) already known for throwing creative procedural roadblocks at Democratic legislative initiatives, has now threatened what has to be the ultimate in procedural mayhem at the Senate version of the national health insurance bill:
He’s threatening to request that the bill be read in its entirety on the Senate floor.
There’s karmic justice here. The Democrats are attempting to pass truly onerous measures secretly (like this $6 billion slush fund Rep Pelosi slipped into the bill) by embedding them in legal gobbledygook. It would serve them right to be forced to listen to every word. It has the feel of Moses grinding the Golden Calf to powder, pouring it into water, and forcing the Israelites to drink it.
As I’m reading Rober’ts Rules of Order for parliamentary procedure, a request for a reading of the motion can be objected to from the floor, and can be denied if the purpose appears to be to stall consideration of the measure. If Coburn can force a reading the bill, the US Senate must be using some variant from Roberts Rules that makes the request a privileged motion.
Coburn’s procedural antics have earned him the nickname “Dr. No” in the Senate, reminding me of one of my favorite slogans from the Tea Party demonstrations: “I don’t belong to the party of ‘No,’ I belong to the party of ‘Hell, no.’”
You go, Dr. No!
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7 Comments »
Comment by Dr.D
Even if he manages to have it read, they will just engage a speed reader to mumble through it all and then vote to pass the abomination. We need something more than this, something like a complete stop to the process.
Comment by Shelly
Amen! Go Tom!
Comment by John Cooper
Prior to the 17th Amendment, Senators represented the interest of their individual states.
If this bill passes, it will increase the Medicaid rolls in each state by 30-40%, necessitating huge state tax increases.
It’s hard for me to understand why ANY honest Senator would vote for this abomination.
Comment by RM
Trying to ram a bill through that is this sweeping, that has as much substantive opposition as this one has, in the dead of night is a disgrace.
The public needs to have an honest summary of the bill rather than a propaganda presentation by our “guardians of the truth” in the media (good luck with that) and enough debate to ensure that anyone with a stake in this who is interested understands the bill’s implications.
Would like to see a summary that breaks the bill down together with what the implications are for various groups (younger people, boomers, elderly) that is done by a prominent and respected organization that will neither kowtow to Obama and political correctness or present a boogieman point of view. Simply put the raw facts out there, explain what it means in non-beltway speak, who the winners and losers are, and let the people weigh in. If the bill is such a great thing why is Obama afraid of this?
Comment by suek
Posted these links on the “In Case…” article – but in case you missed them:
A couple of articles about the health bill that are worth your time to read
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-pelosicare-will-bankrupt-health.html
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2009/11/one-minute-health-care-bill.html
Comment by Nick
The big question is “If this atrocity manages to get through before the 2010 elections, will the new congress have the cajones to repeal it?” Once an “entitlement” is given, it is rarely revoked.
Some liberal talk show trying to pass for news was talking about this yesterday, basically saying how glad everyone will be for their new healthcare years from now after this debacle passes. That is what I am really worried about.
Comment by RM
Nick, I never say never, but this is about as close to a NEVER!! as it gets. Do the math. Almost 50% of the people in the country currently pay no taxes, with the numbers growing. Who will they be beholden to? Which way do you think they will vote?
Moreover, forget about any hypothetical Republican or Blue Dog amendments designed to placate squishes. Once the Democrats get something in place, they can take any of the so called triggers or pro-life amendments, etc. and have them bitten to death by ducks over time.
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