Bi-polar

James Fallows quotes what would seem, to the unwashed amongst as, as a remarkable exchange.

"GOP member: 'I'd like this in the bill.'

"Dem member response: 'If we put it in, will you vote for the bill?'

"GOP member: 'You know I can't vote for the bill.'

"Dem member: 'Then why should we put it in the bill?'

"I witnessed this myself."

But in fact, I hear that it's an exchange that occurs all the time these days. The GOP is able to exact total party discipline and Republicans are rewarded for blocking any and all major pieces of legislation in the Senate. As Fallows points out, we have all the drawbacks of a parliamentarian system without any of its advantages. No one, not the press nor even frustrated Democrats call Republicans on this tactic in which the needs of Boehner, McConnell and Steele are placed ahead of the needs of this country.