Sore Losers, Anyone?

I continue to be fascinated by American politics. I've just read that the House has passed President Obama's proposed economic stimulus package by nearly a straight party line vote (11 Democrats voted "nay," but this thing was almost straight Red vs. Blue). I'll admit that I know only few details of the actual content of the bill, so I'll keep my commentary brief and to the point. I always think that, but it never happens. Let's see if I can pull it off this time.

The Republican Party continues to impress me with its obstructionism. I don't expect that the two major political parties to ever see eye to eye on anything but a "Flags for Orphans"-style bill, but come on. The President holds a meeting of GOP Congressional leadership, they have a discussion that not even the Republicans would complain about, and then every GOP House member votes against the bill. All I've publicly heard from the Republicans is that the stimulus plan is "wasteful" and that it should include more tax cuts.

That's it.

So here's what I have to ask of the conservative wing of the government - what stimulus package have you assembled? I haven't seen one. I also realize that the Party in control of the Congress decides the voting agenda, but I'm fairly certain that the pundits would have been talking if a reasonable proposal was being drafted by the GOP. All I've heard from the Repubs is that Obama's plan is bad, boo Democrats and their majorities. How about proposing an alternative instead of concentrating on the 2010 election? (Yes, the GOP is already running negative ads against Harry Reid in Nevada)

So, maybe things like re-sodding the National Mall and providing funding for contraceptives don't seem to fit in an economic stimulus (they were removed before the House vote), but at least Obama is proposing an economic stimulus. All the GOP can seem to do is piss and moan about how they don't like it.

Newsflash to the Republicans: If you want to re-establish yourself as a reputable political party on a national level, do something other than whine about how life isn't fair. GOP, you lost big in 2008, largely due to the association with our most recent ex-President, but also due to the pissy campaigning that many of your candidates engaged in (smear tactics and lies). To gain favor with the populous, work with the uber-popular President and compromise, propose ideas that aren't "whatever you guys don't want," and establish an identity that isn't just "whatever you aren't."

Because, GOP, you are gambling. You are just hoping, as Rush Limbaugh keeps blathering, that Obama fails. Because if he does, you will be there to say, "we didn't do it!" If Obama and the Democratic majority do make progress, though, you have no identity except "the ones that didn't do it!" It seems to me that you are gambling with the American people, though. If you have a good idea, propose it and debate it like adults, and don't just play political games when this country's economic viability is at stake.

I look forward to seeing what happens in the coming months.