In all that time, Congress did nothing to resolve the issue. Members of Congress are wily enough to find ways around actually following through on any legislation that might anger the corporations that contribute to their campaigns-for example, the pharmaceutical companies. Bipartisanship will not make that reality go away. Every few years various social programs are enacted, but they are not adequately funded to deliver what they promise. For most members of Congress there is less risk in disappointing their constituents than in displeasing corporate America.
Bipartisan cooperation is just another way to protect the status quo.
The compromising and cooperating between Democrats and Republicans have to do with keeping the system in place, not with legislating on behalf of the people. The King is a composite of many of our like-minded leaders. We have a new King, but we do not have a Paine, a Jefferson, a Common Sense, or a new Declaration of Independence. Our best hope is to lobby congressional Democrats and urge them not to compromise with Republicans but to fight to get some teeth into legislation and to stand firm against Republican proposals that might further dismantle democracy. Maybe, after all, Tom Paine is really alive and well and living in all like-minded people.