The GOP is too principled to help the masses.

[LLStarks]

I don't understand how even a public option trigger is so offensive to their senses.

[BaltimoreDemocrat]

1. Simple, really...

For roughly the past century or so, the GOP (God and Oil Party) has almost always sided with big business and wealthy people. Arguing against social programs in the Great Depression (and some conservatives even plotting to overthrow Roosevelt), against the Civil Rights Act, against raising the minimum wage, blah, blah, blah, has been in the Republican playbook for years.
Many Repubs, I feel, are quite satisfied the way things are because they are at the top or near the top of this country's economic food chain. Therefore, they don't give a crap about working people. I feel their attitude is "I got mine, screw you. Work harder..."
Why do so many ordinary Americans support them? By appealing to fears and prejudices and so-called social issues like abortion and immigration and the like. The right-wing knows how to push people's buttons. Ask yourself this question: If Republicans are against abortion, why didn't they outlaw it during the time Bush was president and Congress was controlled by the GOP? Because they didn't want to. If abortion was outlawed, then there would be one less thing to rail against.
Oh, Republicans are childish sore losers. Much of their recent behavior is reminiscent of something kids would do when they lost a game of stick ball...

[LLStarks]

3. God and oil. Nice. nt

[Winterblues]

4. I guess your logic can also be used with Democrats and Health Care

When Clinton first came to Power he had an even larger Democratic majority than Obama currently has. No Health Care then and none now would be my guess. I expect fully though for a bill to be passed that will reward the Insurance and Pharmaceutical Industries completely.

[OHdem10]

2. Not to defend the GOP, they never start by trying to appeal to the

Masses. They are the Party of Big Business and openly portray this.

If you go back to when the PO was mentioned, the first words out
of McConnell's mouth> This will hurt Business.

To be fair they only jump onto "being concerned about the people"
is when Democrats leave them an opening. Then the exploit the
heck out of it. A good example: The Democrats have never
explained how they are cutting huge amounts out of Medicare
and what is happening to 20% of all Seniors on Medicare who
have Medicare Advantage. Now Michael Steele has an ad up
playing frequently: GOP Senior Citizens bill of rights.
The GOP would never even discuss Medicare except to criticise
and complain. However, if they see a circumstance where they
can possibly gain a political advantage they will go for it.

Are they manipulative -- sure they are. This is politics.

We just have to play hardball politics too.