Political retaliation: An ugly aspect of health care debate
By the Journal editorial board | Posted: Saturday, March 20, 2010 12:00 am
Contentious debate over controversial health care reform legislation has laid bare the many unattractive aspects of American politics and the process of passing federal legislation in Washington, D.C., today.
One of them is the outright threat of political retaliation against members of Congress who don't toe the party line when the time arrives for a vote.
Most Americans, we believe, want their elected representatives in the House and Senate casting votes on something as momentous and far-reaching as an overhaul of our health care system from a position of principle, reason and research-based consideration, not simply from the position of one political party or the other.
Unfortunately, on this bill it appears you either follow your leaders or watch your back.
Take, for example, the position of Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D.
On Thursday, Steve Hildebrand of Sioux Falls, who was deputy national campaign manager for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, said he may challenge Herseth Sandlin in the Democratic primary because of health care reform. Herseth Sandlin on Thursday said she does not support the Senate version of health care reform or the so-called "reconciliation" bill. She also opposes a procedural maneuver commonly known as "deem and pass" under consideration by Democratic House members in an effort to push through a health care bill.
If Herseth Sandlin helps to defeat health care reform supported by President Obama, she doesn't deserve re-election to the House, Hildebrand said.
Let's see if we understand. If after almost a year of discussion, debate and study, Herseth Sandlin concludes health care reform in its present form isn't in the best interests of her constituents at home or the nation as a whole, then Hildebrand may work to encourage fellow Democrats to defeat her? Despite whatever good South Dakota Democrats may believe she has done for her state and her country through her work and myriad other votes over almost three full terms in the House, Hildebrand believes if Herseth Sandlin doesn't get into line on this vote and help this bill pass, then she needs to go?
Our view? The spirit of independence on display in her approach toward health care reform is one of the qualities we respect most about this moderate congresswoman, and we believe most South Dakotans feel the same way about their lone U.S. representative.
In fact, we think Congress could use more, not fewer Herseth Sandlins.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment