| mrstickball said: If the debate was enough, then how did we end up with this abomination of a bill? The Republicans tried to negotiate by offering alternate plans. The administration did not want them. |
The Republicans made no genuine effort to negotiate with the Senate Democrats. I am surprised you would defend the Republicans. I always pegged you as a nonpartisan-I still do, although this makes your defense of the GOP more baffling. Regardless, the GOP was a laughingstock throughout the process. Their alternative plans were poorly constructed and embarrassing. The only worthwhile provision the GOP proposed which the Democrats had not already adopted was malpractice reform. Yes, I am vexed that the Democrats have not addressed it. Had there been a few Republicans willing to support the bill in exchange for that provision being included, I think the Democrats would have capitulated. Unfortunately, that did not transpire.
Also, if you do not want an "abomination" of a bill, then more debate will not accomplish that. The only thing more debate accomplishes, and this pertains to any bill, is more disparate provisions patched together attempting to satisfy every interest group. The negotiations and debate on healthcare began in April. I think ~8-1/2 months suffice.
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