the rix mix

I want to thank my Congressman, Donald M. Payne, & give a special shout out to American nuns, who chose a most opportune moment to upstage the corrupt bosses Bishops.

New Jersey now has a one-term Democratic congressman named John Adler. Elected with 51.7% thanks to Obama, a weak opponent, & a huge money advantage, he's determined to lose re-election on principle, which is commendable - in the sense that Ulysses S. Grant commended Robert E. Lee. The principle requires opposition to Democratic health care reform. His "no" vote loses several thousand Democratic votes while gaining him no Republican votes. Republicans will praise his principles before voting for John Runyan, a former NFL player with a knucklehead reputation. Of course, Adler can always switch parties & take his chances.

But I don't think voting "yes" on the health reform makes incumbent Democratic reps more vulnerable than they already were. The economy & general distrust of politicians will drive the election. Failure to pass health reform would only have made the Democrats appear more ineffective. Republicans can't claim they would have done it differently, because everyone knows they intended to do nothing at all. As pundits note, you can't compare the President to Hitler & Stalin & then cooperate with him. Now they ought to at least decide if he's Hitler or Stalin & stick with the choice.

No doubt many on the right will suggest that the close vote makes it a tie in spirit. Of course, many of the most historically important votes in Congress have been decided by narrow margins along highly partisan lines.