Critics are blasting Republicans in Congress for not being bipartisan, and voting almost unanimously against the stimulus bill. They suggest that the party is voting against the bill for purely partisan reasons. They believe, maybe even hope, that the stimulus will fail and they will be able to use this as a campaign item against Democrats in 2010.
But it is just as easy to say that they should stake a position against the bill, and even further that the health of American democracy depends on their taking a position against the bill.
Its the argument made by supporters of responsible parties. Very simply it holds that democracy in the United States ultimately comes down to a choice between two parties, and these two parties must take clear and distinct positions on issues if voters are to be able to make an intelligent choice in the ballot box. If there is no distinction between the parties, there is no real choice for the voter to make.
By taking a position against the stimulus bill, the Republicans will give voters an option in 2010 if the bill does not work as advertised. Of course they stand to lose if the bill does have a positive impact on the economy, but them's the breaks.
