This shit is tiring:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says his party's caucus has "absolute unity" on the need to pass health care reform this year.

The Nevadan, joined by other lawmakers, spoke to reporters Tuesday afternoon on a White House driveway after Senate Democrats met over lunch with President Obama. Reid said Democrats wants to produce a bipartisan bill "if there's any way humanly possible." Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus said, "The American people want us to work together."

Really? The American people would trade an ineffective or watered down reform package in exchange for "bipartisanship"?

I know the Beltway and people like Baucus have an unhealthy obsession with process, but no one gives a damn how good legislation got passed, but that good legislation gets passed.

Before cashing their social security or unemployment checks, do people wonder, "I wonder if this government program passed with bipartisan support?" Of course not.

Before using Medicare or Medicaid, do people wonder, "I wonder if this government program passed with bipartisan support?" Of course not.

Before taking part in the Cash for Clunkers program, do people wonder, "I wonder if this government program passed with bipartisan support?" Of course not.

Before taking public transportation, or driving a road, do people wonder, "I wonder if this government project passed with bipartisan support?" Of course not.

Before spending time at a national or state park, do people wonder, "I wonder if this funding for the forest service passed with bipartisan support?" Of course not.

Before sending their children to public schools, do people wonder, "I wonder if this school's funding passed with bipartisan support?" Of course not.

People want stuff that works. They don't give a damn how you get there. Too bad Harry Reid and Max Baucus and far too many Dems fail to understand this.

Or maybe they understand it all too well -- Republicans have a vested interest in killing health care support, as do the industry patrons of Baucus, Conrad, and far too many corporatist Dems. Thus the issue isn't really about "bipartisanship" for the sake of bipartisanship, but a handy excuse to make common cause with Republicans to destroy reform efforts.