Just like that, in what was told to be an upset victory, the Massachusetts special election went to a Republican, cutting the Democrats down to 59 seats in the Senate, removing the filibusterer proof majority. The rest of us are set to step back, to watch and wait, to see what this means for the future of the nation.

Certainly, it means partisan politics will come out in more force. The ruling party is no longer able to force what they will upon the minority party. Or is that the minority party is now able to interfere with the will of the majority? I suppose that depends on which side of the isle you sit on but in either case there’s now a stronger requirement for negotiation.

Most likely, this will cause the health care bill as it stands to fail. The democrats couldn’t get all of their own party on board with the program, so it will be even more difficult to convince the republicans to fall in line. Something will have to change, and my money’s on the public option. Could be some other points in there that they focus on instead, though. I can’t say I’ve read the bill in its entirety.

Whatever the case, it’s politics as usual now. My question to you, is that good or bad?