Is there a bigger oxymoron in American politics today than “the Democratic party?” Judging by some of last week’s events, probably not.

First, in the rush to get the president’s “Cap And Trade” bill through the House, Representative Henry Waxman raised an objection to a completely unreasonable and specious demand from House Republicans — that they be permitted to read through a 300-page amendment he had tacked on to the 1,000-page under consideration.

Next, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid — apparently eager to show that anything House Democrats can do, he can do too — stated that he would not commit to giving Senators enough time to study — let alone read — the health care financing reform bill put together by House Democrats (with Republicans excluded entirely from the crafting).

Finally, the White House  quietly acknowledged that another Obama campaign promise had reached its unpublished expiration date — his pledge to post any and all bills passed by Congress on the White House’s web site for five days before he’d sign them. That one had been tossed aside practically from the outset, but now it’s official.

The message is clear, from both Houses of Congress and the White House: “we’re the federal government, and you can trust us. ”

Not that we have a choice…