Pragmatic or Ideological? A discussion on congressional attitudes

I may have been the only 14 year old paying attention during the tumultuous summer of 1998. In that summer, you may remember, President Clinton was up for impeachment due to his misunderstanding of the word 'is'. I do not have the desire to look up actual quotes, or percentages. If you feel like doing it, be my guest.

At that time, it is also important to remember, republicans were in control of congress. During that summer republicans were suggesting that we must do what is right for the nation based upon the fact that it was right for the country. The believed that impeaching President Clinton was the right thing for the character of our nation. The nation as a whole did not want President Clinton impeached, I believe that it was at least 60% against and close to 2/3. Democrats responded that we must do the will of the people. Essentially, since a large percentage of the public did not want the impeachment, we must not do it.

Fast forward 11 years to the summer of 2009. The current debate over health care coverage continues ad nauseam. Democrats are now in control of congress, and the public is largely ambivalent about their desire for health care reform. Democrats are now the ones arguing we must do what is right for the country. Republicans are arguing that we must be concerned about what the general public wants.

The question must be asked, which party sticks to their ideology? My answer, not surprisingly is that neither party does. When the issue is boiled down it becomes a pragmatic issue over political concerns. I do not want to get into the argument about specific health care plans, because I do not know enough. I just think it is important to see how truly pragmatic both parties are when it really comes down to it.