Bipartisan Concensus and the 110th Congress

After sitting in the minority for the past six congresses and being aggressively marginalized by the majority in the blessedly-defunct 109th congress, the Democrats have resumed the majority and set sail for the center.

"Common Ground" is the mantra on the hill as they try to reach bipartisan consensus on a wide range of social issues. On abortion, the focus is on prevention rather than expanding access. On gay rights, the focus is on issues of discrimination rather than polarizing issues such as gay marriage. I have no problem with gay marriage, and personally believe that the right to commit (legally and spiritually) to the one you love is a basic human right. However, before we get acceptance for gay marriage, we have to accept that it is wrong to fire a person from their job for their sexual orientation. It's time to frame the debate in terms that are not put forth with the singular intent of inspiring vitriol and contempt. I for one welcome the quest for common ground, after five years of steady decline in which one half of America openly expressed contempt for the other half and blatantly questioned our patriotism, because we had the audacity to exhibit that truly American trait of questioning authority.

I don't expect a trouble-free marriage. Hell, I don't even expect to get through the honeymoon without at least one histrionic outburst. The marriage is bound to be rocky, and a divorce might be sudden and vicious if a spot opens up on the Supreme Court.

But for now, everyone seems to be getting along. Republicans are crossing the aisle to vote with Democrats on popular issues, and the moderate Democratic agenda is meeting little resistance outside the cast of usual suspects (Roy Blunt, Sam Graves - I'm giving you the Librarian Glare).

The question in my mind is, will the Republicans stand up with the Democrats to oppose some of the more reckless decisions by the Decider and bring this president to heel?