The "Spirit" of Bipartisianship

One of the things we here a lot of from our elected officials today are grandiose claims of bipartisanship. It seems politicians can't stop crowing about how they come together to solve all of our problems.

Of course, they are feeding off the perceived sentiment that the public wants answers, and wish for nothing more than their elected officials to cave to the opposition in the spirit of getting things done. Is that really what the public wants?

My thought is that the people in fact want their elected officials to STAND UP for what they were sent to Washington or St. Paul for. Debate is not bad. Disagreement is not bad. A bill that passes the Senate 51-49 is no less effective than one that passes 99-1. In a odd way, maybe I would have more trust in the bill that passes 51-49. At least I can be somewhat assured that the bill was vetted and thought through, and the opposition had its chance to oppose it.

I say this as debate over the massive stimulus spending bill in Congress continues. Each day, we hear about how President Obama is reaching out to Congressional Republicans in the spirit of bipartisanship.

Republicans should oppose this bill. They should do so respectfully, while offering a clear alternative (including decreasing out of control spending, and tax cuts to stimulate investment). The Democrats' plan will probably pass in some form with or without GOP support. So, there is little gain in a "bipartisan" approach.

Work together, sure. Meet, discuss, debate, of course. But in the end (assuming no miraculous change in the Democrats' approach), GOP lawmakers should avoid the easy, feel-good high of bipartisanship and take the principled approach and vote NAY.