GOP to Filibuster Automaker Deal

clipped from www.reuters.com The White House urged Republicans in the Senate on Thursday to back a $14 billion bill to bail out the U.S. auto industry -- but a rescue seemed dead unless all sides could agree on an elusive alternative. "Everybody is trying to figure out how we can move forward. It's a long shot but I think we could still come out with something," a Senate Democratic aide said. Votes could come later Thursday or Friday on at least two and perhaps three measures. With President George W. Bush's influence waning in the final weeks of his unpopular administration, "no one cares what the White House thinks," a Republican aide said. The House of Representatives passed its version of the legislation on Wednesday. The Senate could take up that bill as well as a similar one of its own or a Republican alternative. Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid challenged Republicans to offer an alternative, if they could agree on one.

Of course, the GOP has no alternative, because they're all about being against things, not for things. When you approach every problem asking "how can I be a hardass about this?" you're not really very likely to come up with anything constructive. So they're going to filibuster.

Meanwhile, the Treasury's giving money hand over fist to banks and not paying any attention at all to how it's being spent.

If you ever needed proof that the GOP is the party of wealth, there you go.