until I saw your post so thanks for calling me out. Also thanks for pointing out a fifth way of looking at it.

But I think you are wrong about how much of a violation it is.

First, I would agree with you that if this was just the opening steps it would not as egregious of a violation. But the strict deadline imposed for a vote next week changes the equation. This is much closer to a final version than an opening proposal. I firmly believe that legislation is best achieved (1) in the open ("sunlight as a disinfectant") and (2) subject to vigorous and open debate ("marketplace of ideas"). This method, due to the quick vote, is not promoting these normative values.

Second, it just isn't this incident but is a combination of other actions whereby the institutional norms of Washington are getting blown up. I am too conservative to think that radically changing how the game is played is a good idea. Thus I was being hyperbolic, but this has to be viewed within the larger context.

And you are right about the Democrats not cooperating but this confuses the issue. There are two separate things that the Republicans are doing: (1) Undertaking this process in secret, and (2) Not going forward in a bipartisan manner.

I am not critiquing (2). I think more of an effort should have been made, but it probably an impossible goal and Democrats owe some blame. What I am hating on is (1). That is completely on the Republicans.