Re: Why can they pull the strings?
Those of us who live in the US can only dream of a government hamstrung by "each vote is taken on its merits". Instead positions on issues that should not be partisan are because party leadership tells them how to vote.
Makes no sense that no republican can ever vote for a tax increase[1], or no democrat can ever vote to cut social security[2], but certain things are party gospel where independent thinking is not permitted!
[1] where removal of any deduction including obvious loopholes is considered a "tax increase"
[2] where a change in the retirement age by even a single month a decade out is considered a "benefit cut"
Biting the hand that feeds IT
