Krysten Sinema is quoted in the NYT saying, “These bills help treat the symptoms of the disease, but they do not fully address the disease itself. And while I continue to support these bills, I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division infecting our country.”

She is wrong on 3 counts. First of all, it is standard practice, and not only in medicine, to treat symptoms even if they don’t cure the disease. Second, in treating symptoms, the conditions are created to address the disease, not worsen it, as Sinema suggests. Finally, the underlying disease infecting the country – sorry Krysten – isn’t partisan division – a symptom – but the decislon and actions of one party – the Republican Party – to bid farewell to democracy and democratic governance.

In joining with McConnell and Senate Republicans, she (and Manchin) made the road steeper yesterday, but no one should think impossible to climb. I’m pretty sure that would be the message of both John Lewis and MLK if they were with us today.