We are wasting our time on bi-partisanship

[CanonRay]

"There is no rational argument that can address the claims of a group of people who claim absolute authority from an invisible man whose voice is heard only in their heads." PZ Myers

My hope had been, that the "rational" wing of the Republican Party would step up and quell the voice of the complete lunatics, and that policies benefiting the people would go forward in a fairly rational manner. However, the recent comments by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa have finally and forever dispelled any final remnants of hope left in my liberal conscience. Liberals seem compelled to believe that if we just explain a little more, or provide better or more facts, or let them have their way on certain points they will come around and a rational solution can be found. It's all totally useless. No fact, no concept, no twist of phrase, no Move-on advertisement, is going to change the way these people think, if you can call their reasoning process thinking.

The lunatics who run (yes,run) the Republican party will have none of it. We can fact check, point out fallacies, correct the most egregious lunacies, and bend over back-wards to appease them, and they still will never vote for any health care reform. Or any other rational or helpful policy for that matter. The inmates have completely taken over the asylum, and won't give it up. Lets face it; there IS no rational wing of the Republican party any longer. The corporate interests, who are the only educated people in that party, use the lunatics and idiots when necessary to get pro-corporate policy or laws made. Other than that, the lunatics have free reign. The result is a lethal mix of greed and irrationality perhaps never before seen on earth. A return to the Dark Ages, with corporate rather than Papal control, is all that will satisfy them. We are struggling to make this country a better place to live, and a quarter of our population, and most of the wealthy, are struggling just as hard to drag it back to the 12th century. While maintaining profits, of course. It seems to validate the worst fears of John Adams; the elite using the ignorant mob to rule.

If we believe we can actually work with these people, we are as irrational as they are, and are doomed to fail.

I don't know what to suggest to help this situation. I only know that if you keep doing what does not work, and expect a different result, you are as crazy as they are.

I'm done.

[stray cat]

1. From what I see we don't have enough Dem votes....

at least in the senate for a bill with a public option that is not a co-op.

[Zenlitened]

2. Agreed.

If we believe we can actually work with these people, we are as irrational as they are, and are doomed to fail.

We don't have to win them over on the big issues... we just have to get AROUND them.

If Pres. Obama and the Dems can deliver a solid, progressive health care plan that truly WORKS for all Americans... that's all that matters.

The goodwill and support of the American people will come, as a result. And the demented, shrieking idiocy of the right wing will fade that much further into the fringe, where it belongs.

I totally agree: Reasoning and rationales for the benefit of republican big-wigs matters NOT AT ALL. It's a dead end. What matters is RESULTS for the American people.

[global1]

3. Most Of Us Have Come To The Same Realization & No Matter What Is Done......

or what compromises are made - in the end the Repugs will not vote this through. And the result of all the compromises just weakens the legislation that they are not going to vote for anyway.

We've come to that realization - but I don't think the President feels the same way. For the life of me I can't understand why this has to be a bipartisan vote.

It is time to move beyond bipartisanship (Grassley's comments where the final nail in the coffin) and do whatever it takes to get this 'health reform' passed with a strong public option.

Please if anybody is reading this in the White House - wake-up!!!! We will support you on this. This is the road to more seats in 2010 and re-election in 2012.

If you guys wimp out on us - I'm afraid you'll lose even some of your staunchest supporters - then all bets are off for both 2010 and 2012.