Photo by Associated Press of Speaker Paul Ryan and colleagues after he signed the bill repealing Obamacare.Does this look like a group of people who have just triumphed in passing serious, significant legislation? Or people laughing at a joke? Frankly, to me, it looks like hilarious laughter at a joke.
Here's what's taking place. For the first time in 62 attempts, both houses of congress passed a repeal of the Affordable Care Act and sent it to the president for his signature. Paul Ryan has just signed the bill, and they were having a celebration.
OK. I guess from their standpoint there is cause for celebration when you finally pass what you've tried 61 times -- and failed. But it's not as if they actually did anything that really makes a difference, because they knew they lacked the votes to overturn a veto. As of this writing, President Obama has already vetoed it. So nothing has changed, except some dubious bragging rights about trying for the 62nd time (and failing) to take away people's health care.
Still, wouldn't you think there would be some solemnity to this occasion? Were it not for the president's veto, they would have just passed a bill that would rob tens of millions of their constituents of the medical care they have obtained under the ACA -- without offering anything in its place.
Not exactly cause for the jubilation displayed in the photo above, if you ask me. Let's hope the voters notice.
Ralph
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