Pathetic, real-life exchange between two Congressmen on Capitol Hill, c/o James
Fallows<http://jamesfallows.theatlantic.com/archives/2010/02/why_bipartisansh...>
:

“GOP member: ‘I’d like this in the bill.’

“Dem member response: ‘If we put it in, will you vote for the bill?’

“GOP member: ‘You know I can’t vote for the bill.’

“Dem member: ‘Then why should we put it in the bill?’

And this is why any attempt towards bipartisanship is utterly worthless.

Over the past year, the GOP has proven themselves utterly incapable of
legislating or providing one iota of political leadership. (And, no,
releasing a 32-page health care
bill<http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/01/bachmann-calls-for-health-...>that
ignores the complexities and refuses to address the systemic nature of
health care reform doesn’t represent “political leadership”- just simply
legislative games.) If they can score political points by ignoring the
struggles Americans face on a daily basis, then that’s the strategy they
will pursue.

Of course, their supporters will state: “The Republicans are the only ones
trying to protect America!” Which begs the question: If this is true, why
isn’t John McCain President, with Mitch McConnell overseeing a 59-seat
majority in the Senate?