As the country held its breath, waiting for the vote tallies on the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package, Republicans in the House asked themselves which was more important: our nation's economic welfare or their pride. They chose the later.
Barney Frank summarized the Republican mindset best:
"Think of this: Somebody hurt my feelings so I am going to punish the country."
I cannot tell you how it shocks me that Republicans care more about their feelings than my job security, retirement account, ability to afford lunch tomorrow, etc.
I see it like this. Republicans need voters. Republicans like wealthy voters. Wealthy people are more likely to vote Republican.
So... Republicans should want more people to make money, right? They want me to make more money so that they can woo my vote, right? So why are they blocking a bill that gives my 401k a chance to breathe? Restoring consumer confidence so that the real estate market can thrive and entrepreneurs will pursue new business opportunities and we take our rightful place as the best currency on the world markets? (I mean, the Euro is like five years old, and it has doubled the dollar. Way to go, Bush.)
I wouldn't vote Republican if you offered me money for it. But they don't know that. All they know is that I am a 26-year-old female with a college degree and a lot of ambition and thusly, the potential to be a high roller. Or a hockey mom. Or a Republican. And the fact that "Mommy Nancy Pelosi hurt my feelings by pointing out how obviously Republicans have dropped the economic ball" now stands in the way of me and said wealth (assuming the bounce the bill's passage would've given my rainy day fund) makes me more likely to raise my children as atheists and encourage my gay friends to get married and donate to Al Franken's campaign.
Oy, Republicans. You had an opportunity to act like the buffoons we knew you were or actually help restore some of the greatness you drove from this nation. I, and my rainy day fund, fart in your general direction.