@frankm The issue is, with the Republicans controlling the Senate and the Presidency, no real progress is possible. Last term they almost repealed the ACA and did pass tax reform. Both of which were so incredibly unpopular, they had to lie about them. If the Republicans were not so ideologically committed, they would have taken some of that tax cut, upped ACA subsidies, renamed it TrumpCare, and probably blocked the Blue Wave. They aren't going to compromise about anything.
One thing going after the Trump's tax returns may do is show how terrible he is at business. Let Maxine have fun pointing out how much money he's left on the table or lost. Maybe that will finally cut into his image: make him look like a loser.
@frankm Like the Bengazi hearings helped Hillary? Yes, there are different rules for Democrats, but even distracting Trump from doing horrible things is worthwhile.
And for the House to do anything, Trump and the Senate have to cooperate. The Republicans had trouble passing bills when they were in control of the House; what are the odds they the Senate is going to have an easier time compromising with a Democratic House than Paul Ryan's?
@frankm Sure. They can pass symbolic legislation. But what issue do you think the Republicans would compromise on to pass a bill? And would those compromises be acceptable to the Dem base?
@Bruce I think there is support from some Republicans on addressing pre-existing conditions of healthcare, for example. Your question about whether X is acceptable to Y's base is a fundamental problem. Congress should be governing and not just doing things that are acceptable to their "base."
@frankm What is there to compromise on in terms of pre-existing conditions? The Democrats want to keep the law that says insurance companies have to provide affordable coverage for sick people; the Republicans want to get rid of that law. Where's the middle ground?
@frankm And some thoughts on "the base": it's shorthand for the people that make up the core of a party. It doesn't make political sense to ignore your most enthusiastic supporters and their values. Ideally politicians share those values. Of course, they are going to be pretty unwilling to compromise on their strongly held beliefs.
@frankm You are right, Frank. I don't want to get drawn into a discussion of politics, but this issue was directly addressed on PBS last night. See the transcript of the interview at this address.
when every Republican, including the president, has said, we don't want the take away preexisting condition coverage.
This is a straight up lie. Even in their latest bill that "protects" preexisting conditions, it doesn't require insurers to cover all conditions. So if you had cancer, an insurer could offer you a plan that covers "preexisting conditions" that aren't cancer.
How can you compromise with a party that isn't even honest about what its policies would do?
