True Colors

If you’ve ever doubted the true colors of Republican leadership, it’s pretty neatly summarized in this recent gesture to block any and all financial reform legislation advanced by the Democrats.

“I believe that 41 Republicans right now are going to stand together,” Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.) said of Monday’s planned 5 p.m. test vote on the Senate floor. “I wish we’d stand together, period,” he added, noting that such unity would give GOP members “more negotiating power and more clout.”

Because, you know, sticking together come what may, despite apparent differences (and in some cases bald contradictions), is all that matters. Sticking together would, without question, give them more negotiating power and more clout. Of course, that’s not (or ought not to be) the objective of people who write public policy.

Cynicism about policy couldn’t be put any more succinctly.