The Process, not the Health Care Act Endangers the Republic

In our system of politics the process by which we work, debate, advance our ideology and by which we come to settled terms and agree are as important, if not more important than the resulting legislation. The recent tactics of slash and burn, the "fix-it" deals, the partisan zeal with which one party ran roughshod over the other is where the long term trouble will brew and steep.  Congress is about to learn the hard cold truth of not working through the process of compromise; and the pain of allowing the Executive Branch to usurp the Congressional Process (and in essence Congressional Power).

The Republic of the United States is in genuine danger.  Not because of the existence of the Health Care reform act.  It's mere existence does not jeopardize the United States. The New Deal was just as deplorable but it did not destroy the Republic.  However, here's where there is a difference between the New Deal and Health Care reform...the difference is in how they became Law.  Health Care reform became Law because the Executive Branch usurped the power of the Congressional Branch and in doing so the Majority Party forced the Act without Compromise.

In our first Presidents farewell address, George Washington warned us to not allow one branch of government to encroach upon the prerogatives of another. The warning was to not allow "change by usurpation." But that's just what happened. The Executive Branch of government forced the Democratic congressional leadership to institute dramatic social reform without the process of compromise.

I heard no one speak of compromise. And now all I see are the Majority Party glad-handing, and celebrating their victory. Many anxiously running back to their districts to evangelize the Health Care Act. I see posts on-line warning of violence from the right wing demons of the Republican party.  Quickly followed by media disparagement of the Republicans seemingly doing nothing to stem the impending violence.  I see Republicans wearing the face of the disenfranchised; wondering if they have purpose, knowing they can not stop the inevitable (yet many wondering what the inevitable is).

After the spring break, in the following few weeks, Congress will likely become a place of bitterness. Like a mistreated dog, the Republicans are likely to bite back, and do so very hard. And if we even make it to the coming elections in November, when control is likely to change hands.  What happens when Congress grinds to a halt? And even more daunting, what happens if control does not change hands?

Partisan rancor has just been turned up ten-fold. Never in the last 150 years has there been such a huge wedge driven down the Congressional Branch.  And yet even in the time period between 1850 and up to 1860 there remained at least a measured attempt to work through the process of compromise; for Great Compromises are part of our history. The first in 1787 the second in 1850... Unfortunately, in 1860, even in a time when compromise was still entertained, it took a civil war to settle the debate...

Without a dramatic and miraculous event, I doubt reconciliation is possible. ?