Bloodless Coup

The Sausage Factory of Democracy at Work

I am really rather taken aback by the silliness of a certain segement of the blogging commuinity who seems to be shocked and appalled by the wheeling and dealing that went on during the vote on CAFTA last night. Euguene at Demagogue even goes so far as to title his post on this "Republicans at Work" - implying that these icky doing are exactly what you'd expect from nefarious Republicans.

Now I'm not saying he doesn't have a point. This is indeed exactly what you'd expect (well, actually, I'm surprised it wasn't even more creepily corrupt). But what I find bizarre is the partisan tinge to this commentary. What, these kinds of things wouldn't happen if the Democrats were in charge? That's silly. They have happened under Democratic leadership and they (hopefully) will again. It's just a different set of interests getting bought off. Is it rather unseemly that Congress works this way? Perhaps. But, democracy is messy and entails finding ways for groups that don't have much in common to come together. And since that's the system, it seems entirely reasonable for a member of Congress to ask for something in return for their vote if they can get it.

After doing this and much worse over the last four years the Republicans shouldn't drone on about how they are changing the tone of politics and acting with dignity, or that they are fighting extra-hard on the budget deficit and spending. That's obviously untrue. But nobody should expect that the creation of a big piece of legislation can be accomplished without often distasteful deals and compromises.