Yet again I say I think including Snowes amendment to have 50 federally funded but state run universal healthcare programs, but only if <95% of the state had private insurance after a year, and only if the particular state(s) didn't opt out, was gold. It virtually guaranteed universal coverage but didn't paint anyone into a corner, and real competition would ensue (driving down costs) one way or the other, either because private insurers offered competitive plans to forestall a state plan, or because they failed to do so and were FORCED to compete with a less expensive alternative. Of course, that's about the only thing we've seen from the Republicans on that issue apart from the insistence tort reform will make everything alright. I'm willing to look at some tort reform as part accompanied by other things, but I feel about as good about tort reform AND NOTHING ELSE as you do about a federal insurance program by itself. The differences are 1) Republicans who want the latter aren't in the majority and 2) they haven't written a bill like that anyway. It's easier to sit back and wait for the other guy to fail than it is to lead; the Dems proved that themselves.

There were quotes from Shelby in the article posted a few days ago; he does manage to work in a shot about how he's trying to show Obama he has to work with Republicans, but the only "concession" he's on record seeking is a contract for (European based) Airbus to build our mid-air refueling tankers in AL and the importance of a new FBI IDE lab also in AL. Honestly, I think they should vote the appropriations and do the construction in, say, NJ, just to see Shelbys face when he's offered everything he wants except for the small detail about it being in HIS state. You won't see the Republicans shut him down though because he's obstructing the executive branches operations (while he shouts the need for a new FBI lab in the name of defense. ) We've come along way from Margaret Chase Smith (basically) telling McCarthy to stfu and quit being an ass; the closest I can recall any Republican coming to breaking with his party for the countrys good (or any reason) is the "RINO" Senators who said they wouldn't vote for the nuclear option during the Dems filibusters. Senate Republicans don't WANT to play the Russ Feingold role in something like McCain/Feingold, or the Ted Kennedy role in No Childs Behind Left. They want Obamas Waterloo, by any means necessary.