As all four political estates digest the MA election, some attention is naturally settling on what effect this will have on the Senate’s ability to move forward. In brief: Democrats never had it so good.

While the political pendulum swings, and no party should delude themselves with “permanent majority” talk, Dem’s have all the time they need. They’ve tried the high road of parliamentary politics, and Congressional Republicans have clearly demonstrated they will sacrifice American lives for their own petty power agenda. It’s not the first time conservatives have demonstrated their party-first politics (“nuclear option” anyone?), but it is time to let go of fantasies that the current conservative members of Congress will suddenly start voting for reasonable policy on its merits. It is simply not going to happen.

From the Whitehouse to the Senate and House, extending the legislative olive branch to R’s was gracious, honorable, and much more than they deserved post Bush 43. Now that the Republican hand is on the table, it’s time to get stuff done with or without them. Americans are dying or losing their homes or enduring any number of ills inherited from the last 30 years of bad policy and bad thinking. Regardless of who is to blame, we need to get the policy foundations laid so hard working Americans can proceed with fixing the problems. There are ways to get things done in Congress. Everyone knows this, and no one need apologize for doing the right thing and moving forward. Dems need to get it done via any and every available means necessary to save American lives from those who will otherwise hold Americans hostage to advance their own failed political quackery.

In 2009, Democrats made one big mistake: they let 60 seats – political calculus – take center stage. Now that no one need be misled by a magic number, roll up the sleeves and bring it, Dems.