Are Republicans Shooting Themselves in the Foot?

Now that President Obama's stimulus package has been signed into law, the budget is next. Despite his efforts to achieve bipartisan cooperation, Republicans seem unwilling and unable to get into the same book, let alone the same page concerning how best to pull this country's economy out of the ditch. The fact that, for the most part, these same Republicans presided over the economic collapse is a bit ironic at best and downright hypocritical at worst.

Case in point: Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Here's a man who was more than happy to accept federal money to help rebuild his state in the aftermath of two hurricanes: Katrina and Gustav. When offered federal money again through the new stimulus however, he made a very public spectacle, refusing the money and using it as an opportunity to play tyipical political games; putting partisan political gamesmanship over the needs of his constituents. Money that could be used to imporve Louisiana's devastated infrastructure or extend the unemployment benefits of the hundreds of thousands Louisianans who've lost their jobs is being offered and at least publicly refused by Jindal and other Republican governors.

The hypocrisy is what's most appalling. Standing on a soapbox of fiscal responsibility, we've received lectures and rants from Republican leaders about the spending spree of the new administration. Coming from the very folk who presided over an adminstration that nearly doubled the national debt from $5.7 Trilliilon to over $10 Trillion in eight years is a little tough to take seriously.

And the party itself is becoming increasingly difficult to take seriously. From Gov. Palin to Gov. Jindal to the always amusing Michael Steele, the party seems to be grasping at any and all straws as it sees itself slipping into irrelevance. Perhaps the grandstanding and opposition to all things Obama can be seen as a desperate attempt to remain relevant. What appears more likely however, is that we are witnessing a ridiculous, large scale case of sour grapes.

The fact is, America voted against this type of politics in November. At all levels, the majority of Americans seem to be tired of the typical gamesmanship that has made Washington (in)famous. By playing these types of games, the GOP is truly doing itself a disservice. Which, for the record, is fine by me since I was part of the revolution to get as many of them out of office as possible. It's not enough to be anti-liberal or anti-democrat or even anti-Obama (particularly since his apporval rating is off the charts at the moment). You have to "for" something and right now nobody, including most Republicans, seems to know what it is they stand for. What are the priciples by which the party stands? What is their foundation? After eight years of Bush-o-nomics it sure isn't fiscal responsibility. So please spare us the lectures, soapboxes, and public displays of indignation and start getting to the task of pulling the nation out of this recession. It may already be too late but at least by exhibiting even a semblance of a cooperative spirit, you might actually be able to hold onto some of your positions in upcoming elections; and if not your positions, then perhaps a shred or two of your dignity.