Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends

The layman definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results.

That mentality, incidentally, also appears to be the cornerstone of Republican politics. We have seen it many times before: start a war or two, give tax cuts to the rich, and expect the national debt to decrease. If at first you don't succeed...

In a recent tweet, Senator John McCain said he was "ready to sit down to do what's right for the American people." No, he's not drafting a letter of resignation; he wants to "start over" the health care reform. Senator McCain's suggestion is proof that the Republicans truly have more great ideas regarding health care reform than you can shake a teabag at.

Didn't we just spend an entire year hashing and rehashing the disaster that is the American health care system? Were we not treated to hours of news broadcasts about village idiots in 18th century garments, gathering together to yell about socialism, Nazis, and other topics completely unrelated to the health care debate?

Did we even have a debate?

President Obama has stated that he's eager to reach a bipartisan understanding, but is not interested in starting the reform debate over from scratch.

When John McCain was running for President in 2008, and Barack Obama announced his desire to rebuild the American health care system, McCain was quick to point out that the Republicans, too, had ideas for health care reform. Now, after a year of reform debates, it seems evident that the primary "idea" they have is to oppose whatever the Democrats are suggesting.

I can see why the concept of starting over from the beginning would seem logical to Senator McCain. For one thing, he gets hired elected for six years at a time. What's another year to him to piss away on going over the same arguments for the umpteenth time? It would also be tremendously convenient for the GOP to still have the teabagger movement be in full steam when the elections roll around this fall. I can already envision the Republican campaign ads, declaring that it's "your last chance to stop this insane health reform."

A successful health care rehaul would simultaneously be the best thing to happen to this country in a long time, and the worst thing to happen to the GOP. I'm not surprised that they would be eager to put the train back at the station.