Obama advocates abuse of power to pass healthcare

[BgMc31]

Weren't Bush's tax cuts passed with the same tactic, as well as welfare reform, and COBRA reform. Simple majority has been used many times throughout history.

[Kratos]

Weren't Bush's tax cuts passed with the same tactic, as well as welfare reform, and COBRA reform. Simple majority has been used many times throughout history.

Congress has never before used the budget reconciliation process to enact broad social legislation.

Cobra did not need reconciliation. The original Senate bill passed on a 93-6 vote. The reconciled bill (the one incorporating compromises with the House bill) then passed by a voice vote, indicating that the outcome was so apparent that no tally was required.

President Clinton’s welfare reform statute, officially titled the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996. The statute had significant bipartisan support and did not depend on the reconciliation process for its enactment. On the final vote, there were 78 Yeas and 21 Nays, with one Democrat not voting. Twenty-five Democrats (the minority party) joined 53 Republicans in supporting the bill.

The reconciliation process is designed for budget issues -- i.e. provisions which affect revenues and outlays. The tax cuts under Bush although you could make a case against, fit the definition of provisions that could be passed through the reconcilation process.

What Obama is saying: With the health care act, I'm going to impact affect revenues and outlays. I'm going to be laying out cash to pay for healthcare.

Well, duh anything you do is going to cost or save money. That doesn't mean this rule gives you the power for all legislation. Only when directly related to the budget. Spending or saving money being the only qualifier means there is never a reason for more then 51 votes anymore.