On A Related Note

What do you suppose the odds are of this bill hopelessly failing?

The Senate will hold a key vote Monday afternoon on a bill to provide $26 billion in Medicaid and education money to states.

Previous domestic aid bills have gone down in flames because Republicans and Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson have insisted that the cost of helping the poor, old, and jobless not be added to the deficit. This bill is fully offset with spending cuts and tax increases on U.S.-based multinational corporations, but Republicans have not signaled whether they will support it.

Can't add to the deficit to help the poor or jobless, but let's make damn sure we keep our checkbook perpetually open for two failed wars. You've also got to love that the preening Republicans have had their concerns met (the bill is deficit neutral), but they still can't commit to supporting it. Because they don't want the Democrats to succeed on anything, ever, even at the expense of holding our ailing country hostage.