O-mama - Opinionated Moms

“Let’s take a vote”, is what we say when the family can’t decide where to go out to dinner or what video to rent.   The majority rules.    Democracy is about the majority and also about everyone having a vote, right?  Healthcare, not video rentals are the hot topic in the news.

 No one said it outright, but it looks like the “reconciliation” may be the process used to get healthcare reform passed because it requires only a simple majority (51 votes) and not the super majority (60 votes) required for the Democrats to break a Republican filibuster and get healthcare legislation passed.  Before that happens though, the House Democrats have to adopt the Senate bill past last year, which did not include a public option.  Only then can it be considered for an up or down vote.  Reconciliation bills have been used in the past to pass welfare reform and both Bush tax cuts.  The majority rules.   But critics of this process, in the past even Obama himself has been one, says that it hurts bipartisanship.   Next on the agenda for all will be arguing the merits of the Obama healthcare plan, as well as what process Congress will use to pass whatever legislation comes out of these talks.  Should the majority rule to pass healthcare or should bipartisanship prevail?  Let us know your opinions on the HEALTH hot button.

 Our kids know that most of the time, the majority does rule. Our kids learn this concept at home, in school and on the playground.  (1) When settling an issue, encourage kids to put it to a vote.  Having kids learn how to roll with the majority can teach them flexibility and the all important art of compromise. (2) But, also teaching kids when to stand by their convictions, even when the majority does something else, is important, too.  (i.e.,”If you all of your friends jumped off a bridge would you?”).  Our kids don’t always have to do what’s the most popular, but just what they know is right.