One of the marks/requirements of a good businessman is his capability to be ruthless.

Reconciliation as a tool to achieve desired goals in the US Senate is a ruthless use of power the Democrats don't seem to have a stomach for.

The tax break for the rich and the Central America Free Trade bill were both results of a Republican favored Senate which was not unwilling to do whatever they had to do to get what they wanted. Reconcilition fit them like a glove.

Democrats, for some reason I can't understand, wilt in the face of success, "We can't believe we've won." Give them power, at least this latest bunch, who are a far cry from those who passed Social Security and Medicare, and they simply don't know what to do with it.

Ironic, isn't it, that from Massachusetts, a state with it's already reformed healthcare system, comes a vote aimed at squashing a federally enacted healthcare reform it's favorite Senator fought all his political life for.

To paraphrase what Jon Stewart said, the Democrats have margins of strength Bush would have given an arm for, yet they shrink from using that majority position as if it wouldn't be fair or some other dumb fucking reason.

The coin has been scratched, and each of my hands have one finger pointing, even though all eight couldn't cover the directions from which mistakes have been made, especially in Massachusetts.

One comment there, the day our politicians need to recognize who professional athletes are in order to be elected, is a dark day indeed.