On Bipartisanship and Bull___

I read an editorial in our school paper the other day that discussed the author's disappointment with the House GOP because not a single Republican voted to support the nearly-$1 trillion dollar spending package proposed by President Obama.  The authors says that this spending is clearly needed and that Obama worked hard to win over Republicans, but that they eventually let him (and us) down.  Now, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but some opinions are just stupid.

It is possible to argue that Republicans ought to have supported the bill, but one must first accept the premise that the bailout was needed, was properly prepared, and will ultimately be successful.  The Republicans would likely argue that a bailout might be needed (hence they prepared their own), that Obama's was not properly packaged, and the ultimately most bailouts will fail to bring about the economic benefits that are imagined.  One of the most basic tenets of the GOP is that government should be small and only use those few enumerated powers that the Constitution allows it to do.  Of course, plenty of Republicans will sell out on their beliefs for political expediency, but we'll just call them Democrats then (I am really not that partisan, but because my wife is pretty much the only person that reads this blog anyways...).

So, when the House GOP decided to not support the largest spending bill in the history of the country (as if the wonderfully successful TARP's $700 billion wasn't enough, we need to set new records)., people like the author argue that they were being ideologues and too partisan.  That is the double standard that I love.  When Republicans pass the bills that they want (such as the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, which I have some problems with) and the Democrats don't support it, the Republicans are being too partisan.  When the Democrats push through a bill that they want (like this bill) and the Republicans don't support it, the Republicans are being too partisan.  Anyone else think that there is a problem with the standards.  

Now, don't think that Republicans don't do it to, but I think that Republicans are far less likely to argue that Democrats should get on board for the good of the country and to simply say, "We have the power, our agenda rules the day."  Democrats are pushing their own agenda (for example, the bailout includes provisions, as the author admits for family planning--read "Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups) and they should be willing to take it themselves.  Succeed or fail, this bill is entirely on their shoulders.  If it works, they get all the credit.  If it fails, they take all the blame.  

Given that this is not really about stimulating the economy (the Congressional Budget Office notes that only 7 percent of the money will hit the economy by September and that the recovery could begin then, thus leaving 93% of the money to come after the recovery begins) and more about taking advantage of an opportunity, the Democrats should be willing to take all the credit/blame themselves.  After all, as Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said, "Never let a serious crisis go to waste."