Bam's health care tricks...

NY Post - April 28, 2009
BAM'S HEALTH-CARE DODGE

If President Obama believes so much in open government, why is he trying to block an honest, open debate in Congress over his health-care scheme?
Blocking debate is precisely what's behind the effort by the White House and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill to fast-track health-care reform via a parliamentary trick called "reconciliation."
Such a process would drastically limit the ability by Republicans and other Democrats to slow down or amend legislation that could reshape one-sixth of the US economy.
And just maybe destroy the best health-care system on earth.
"Reconciliation" is a parliamentary device originally intended to limit Senate debate over the budget. Only 20 hours of debate are permitted; filibustering is not allowed, and the number of amendments is also limited.
Since the federal budget is supposed to become law by Oct. 1, it makes sense that this aspect of the legislative process be passed with a simple majority vote, rather than the 60-plus votes other bills often require if subject to filibuster. (continues...)