Reconciliation is some "unprecedented," possible "nuclear" option that Democrats are planning to use to force "Obamacare" on the American people against the will of our Republican defenders in Congress, right? This is what the Republican Party would like you to believe, but it is not even a remotely accurate description of what is happening.

As documented by NPR, reconciliation is a process that has been used many times over the years by both Democrats and Republicans to pass all sorts of measures, including prior efforts to improve our health care system. Quite simply, the Republicans are lying about the nature of this process and the frequency with which it has been used. They are trying to provoke fear because they aren't sure what else to do.

The Senate health care bill is far from perfect. It could get a bit better through reconciliation, especially if progressives can put enough pressure on our elected officials to make sure that a public option is added. After all, popular support for the public option remains strong.

H/T to Dispatches From the Culture Wars

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