No, I don't think that thread title is too harsh. I think it is fact. But first the somewhat good news. As opposed to what is reported on the front page, the talks haven't collapsed and Susan Collins has made a counter offer to Harry Reid...
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid already promised her the 15 amendments, but his initial offer was for a day or two of debate. Here's her response to reporters tonight, after a Senate vote.
"The majority leader's allotment of time for to debate those amendments was extremely short, so I have suggested doubling the amount of time, assuring that there would be votes, and making sure that the Republicans get to pick our own amendments as opposed to the Majority Leader."
"If he does that I will do all that I can to help him proceed to the bill. But if he does not do that, then I will not," she added.
So, that sounds like a commitment.
However, the bad news: Millionaire terrorists demand ransom for return of gay soldiers!
"Everyone on the Republican side wants to see the tax package completed first," she said. "So I have urged the majority leader to postpone the vote...so that we could get the tax bill considered first -- which I believe could be on the floor tomorrow -- and completed by Saturday, and then move immediately to the DOD bill, but under a fair agreement."
So, there you go no tax cuts, no mega-reduction of estate tax, and on and on, then gay soldiers will not be returned to duty. The millionaires cannot compromise on this ransom.
Link
I say we turn this around on them. Everybody knows they want their tax cuts really really really badly. So, since we caved, can we do some good with it? Let's blackmail them now. Let's take their tax cuts hostage. Our new position: you can have your tax cuts for millionaires but if and only if we get up or down votes on the following items:
DADT
ENDA
DOMA
Climate bill
Fair pay
Anti-bullying legislation
Education Non-Discrimination
Housing Non-Discrimination
Green jobs investment
infrastructure investment
up or down votes on ALL judicial nominees
and after that, then you get your tax cuts.