Mathematically:

Obama/Dems propose policy X, with stated benefits a, b, c.

Republicans reflexively label X as unamerican, and demand a policy of -X be put into place.

Obama/Dems “compromise,” first by proposing X/2, then X/4, then X/8 as republicans move goalposts on national television.

Finally, a bill something like X/1000 with benefits a/1000, b/1000, c/1000 is passed after many months, apocalyptic proclamations from R’s.

Later, they claim that it was all a waste of time since it had limited to no benefit on the Americans lives.