A talking point that's run its course

Not a lot of substance on this one, really just more of a rant. Can we please dispose of the notion that passing anything in either house of Congress constitutes "ramming" it through? I realize that this description conjures up a tidy notion that can rally the troops, but I think it's unfortunate that the troops eat this stuff up. A bill passes in the House and Senate when the majority votes Aye. That's it. If a bill garners 218 votes in the House and 51 votes in the Senate, it heads to the President for signature. Many pieces of legislation pass by slim majorities. These days, unfortunately, most everything in the Senate needs 60 votes because it takes 3/5s of that chamber to close off debate on an issue (still only requiring a simple majority to pass the legislation itself).

Today the angst comes from Republicans on the Hill, who accuse Democrats of "ramming through" healthcare legislation, especially with talk of reconciliation back in the air. The Democrats take the wrong stance when they respond that, for example, the tax cuts passed in 2003 were rammed through when brought to a floor vote under reconciliation procedures that garnered a split 50/50 vote, with passage secured when Vice President Cheney broke the tie. By responding with such anecdotal evidence, the Democrats only perpetuate the illusion that any of this constitutes "ramming through," or is somehow unfair. If it weren't for talking heads getting both conservatives and liberals angry at perceived injustices perpetrated by the "other side," we would probably avoid much of the grandstanding by the legislators themselves.

In any case, let's just recognize that the majority party in a given chamber will do everything it can to pass legislation that is in line with its party platform and polls well back home. It's okay if you don't like the legislation; but don't fall mindlessly into the trap of thinking that the "other side" is asserting an unfair advantage in the game.