Numerous drinking games have been developed around taking a drink each time a specific phrase is stated. As an example, in one version of a drinking game around the show “24,” you would take a drink each time Jack Bauer says “You have got to trust me,” or “I don’t have time to explain.” You can also have a drinking game around specific events. Again, looking at the show “24” you would take a drink each time Jack shoots someone or tortures someone.
I propose a new drinking game. A game that we all can play throughout this Congressional year. I propose that conservatives take a drink for each Republican who votes for a Senate bill that is anti small government and anti libertarian that would not have passed out of the Senate without the support of Republicans.
Today, the Senate approved, or more appropriately didn’t prevent, releasing the next $350B tranche of the TARP funds. The vote won or actually failed, with the support of 6 Republicans.
If there was ever an opportunity for Republicans to set a new tone, one of accountability and fiscal conservatism, this was it. No one can tell us how the initial $350B was actually used. No one can give us any details on how the $350B has helped. The closest we get to any explanation is something along the line of “we didn’t see a melt down.” Along with “too big to fail,” that line is getting old.
This was an opportunity for Republicans to put Democrats on notice that they no longer get to use “BUUUUUUUUUSH” as a reason for everything they do. The Republicans should have supported the withholding of the funds and made then, President Obama veto the vote if he felt so strongly that the money was needed.
The next and perhaps final opportunity of relevance for the Republicans to begin the process of redefining themselves will come with the Stimulus bill. Contrary to Obama’s assurances, you can bet that that bill will be full of pork and be very lite, if it has any at all, true tax cuts. As I noted here, I don’t have much hope that Republicans will have the spines to pull that off.
It’s going to be a long couple of years watching this Senate. It’s hard to imagine anything positive coming out of it other than by playing my drinking game (6 drinks tonight), we’ll increase the economic activity of alcohol distributors!
Prost!
