Delicious Irony

One of the most frustrating things about the past few years, where the Republicans dominated all of Congress, was their bullying of Democrats - their refusal to caucus, their insistence on controlling all pieces of legislation, etc. Essentially, the Democrats in Congress were just seat fillers and relatively inconsequential.

So it's particularly amusing to hear about three House Republicans whining about the new face of Congress. From The Washington Monthly, Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Tom Price (R-GA)have 'introduced' a Minority Bill of Rights, with the intent of establishing some ground rules to make sure that their voice is heard in Congress.

The irony, of course, is that they didn't write this measure - Nancy Pelosi did, and it was not only not passed, the Republicans refused to even acknowledge it.

The measure has some good points, and certainly bi-partisanship should return to form...but it takes some relatively gigantic stones to suggest this when (McHenry in particular) it was laughed out of Congress when the shoes were on the other foot. The hypocrisy here is mind bogglingly stunning.

Part of me hopes that Pelosi and company reject it out of hand, while practically speaking it probably makes good sense. I wish that Republicans would learn that lesson for the next time they run Congress, but somehow I doubt it. And therefore, why SHOULD the Democrats "play fair?" This kind of game theory approach to politics should prove interesting over the next few years, to be sure.