"Pass the Senate Bill, Please"

That's the title of Paul Begala's Op Ed piece in the Huffington Post, dated today, January 26, 2010. Let's review (and make corrections) some of Paul's more obtuse assertions.

Paul, you are a hoot! You actually get paid to write this drivel?

You accuse the Republicans of being close minded, not pragmatic, and disrespectful of the feelings of others. But how would you know? Republicans had no voice. Republicans were locked out of the health care discussions while your Democrats cut deals and bought votes behind closed doors. Do the Louisiana Purchase, the Cornhusker Kickback, and the Union Cadillac Insurance deals mean anything to you?

Further, you complained that "the voters" rewarded the Republican mindset by sending Scott Brown to the Senate because he promised to defend the status quo on health care; in other words, to stop it in it's tracks. Let me hasten to assure you that this vote in Massachusetts was not so much for Republicans, but for conservatism. Republicans are not highly regarded either, but right now, they are looking a lot better than they were a few days ago. The voters, your former voters, are against the Democrats' continued reckless spending, bail out plans, stimulus packages, and especially this odious health care plan. There are even Democrats who don't want to proceed with this plan.

May I remind you that these are the same voters that put Obama in the White House last year? Your voters, Paul, the Independent Democrats, voted against your health care takeover by handing Democrats stinging defeats in Virginia and New Jersey and now Massachusetts. You're zero for three now. Wanna make it a complete sweep? Just pass this ill advised health care takeover against the strong warning that you have just received from Massachusetts.

You are convinced that the Democrats lost in 1994 because they did not pass health care in Clinton's early days. Wrong! Democrats lost big in 1994 because Clinton used a midnight deal to push through the Assault Weapons ban. Clinton said this himself. You could look it up, but then you would be...informed. I'll tell you now that after Clinton took his licks in 1994, he moved to the right. Was this on your recommendation? Do you even remember what he did after the 1994 wake up call?

I'm not going to continue to tear down your editorial piece by piece. Already you have made so many wrong headed assertions, it would be fruitless for me to correct each one. So my final comments will be limited to these few words.

Martha Coakley lost because of the Attorney General's decision in the middle of a tight Senate race to try the Christmas Day terrorist in civil court.

Martha Coakley lost because of the Democrats' extreme arrogance in the middle of a tight Senate race by locking out the Republicans, buying votes, making sweetheart deals with powerful Union bosses and by attempting to ram the health care bill through against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Americans.

The White House owes Martha a huge apology! And you still recommend passing this albatross over these objections? Have at it. Full speed ahead! See you at the polls.

America is not in the mood for more of the same from your party. Push this through now and the Democrats will not have another opportunity to lead for decades.

On second thought, that may not be a bad idea.

PB