I’ve been following the shenanigans regarding the new stimulus bill, and have been shaking my head in dismay. I see the usual accusations of pork (which are almost always warranted) and the sniping by both sides about how something is or isn’t going to work… the usual ideological tripe from both sides.
What I find most amazing, though, is the hypocrisy. Isn’t that always the case? The Republicans are screaming about all the spending and unanimously voted against it in the House. However, for the original “bailout” when there was a Republican administration in the White House, fully half of the House Republicans voted for it, pushing it out so fast that the promised “oversight” of the companies receiving taxpayer money basically flew out the window with our 800+ billion dollar commitment.
Now that there’s a Democratic administration in the White House, though, the thought of spending all that money for a bailout somehow offends Republicans. They claim that it’s because of the pork and the faulty ideology behind the bailout plan, but make no mention of the fact that the plan they previously voted for did virtually nothing. Far be it from them to give a different set of ideas a fighting chance.
Given some time to look into the proposed new bailout, I have no doubt that I could find a lot of things that I’d think were absurd, wasteful, and irresponsible. I would, however, probably find a lot of things that sound promising. Despite my distaste for partisan politicking, I understand the reality that the political process is one big (probably corrupt) negotiation and if both sides don’t come to the table with the mutual goal of doing beneficial things for this country and a flexibility to listen to contrasting opinions, Congress might as well just close its doors.
Republicans, seemingly unwilling to do that, have their “We Love Rush” blinders on and their pouty bottom lips out in a hypocritical, childish display of misplaced solidarity.