Up-or-down!
Up-or-down!
Up-or-down!
It sounds like some kind of kinky sexual game that you might find reference to in Cosmopolitan, or maybe a choice someone would have to make on a quiz show. But that’s not what I’m talking about.
No, “up-or-down” is part of a phrase, “up or down vote,” that was used over and over by Republican politicians and pundits last year and in 2005 as Democrats blocked votes on a range of issues, most prominently including a variety of ultra-conservative judicial nominees. As Republicans in the U.S. Senate demanded an “up or down vote” over and over, making it seem like the most sensible of requests, Democrats noted the traditional use of requirements for 60 votes to end debate, then used those requirements for 60 votes to halt progress on any number of bills.
Well, now the shoe is on the other foot. Democrats have a majority in the Senate in the wake of the 2006 elections, and what are they doing? Listen to Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa:
Democrats mustered a 52-47 majority, but needed 60 votes to cut off debate on the issue. “We showed the American people what is happening — the Republicans will not allow an up-or-down vote,” said Harkin.
Oh, for Pete’s sake! Do these politicians think we have no memories, that we are completely stupid, or that we are so caught up in team politics that we won’t care?
We currently have a Republican president in the White House, one who has been using officials in the Justice Department to pursue his personal and political ends. Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson has made this commitment while on the campaign trail:
I will appoint someone who I will direct and say: “You will be an attorney general for the people. I don’t want to even see you talking to the political arm of the White House staff.”
I hope Bill Richardson will keep this commitment if he becomes our next president, and not find that with the power of the White House in his hands, a new set of principles somehow begins to make more sense.
