If you want to know which Republicans (and which Democrats) were responsible for scuppering the bailout plan, check out Nate Silver's blog here. Basically anyone who was facing a close by-election was likely to vote against the plan. They'll say they listened to the people of their districts, who emailed their overwhelming opposition to the bailout of the "Wall Street fatcats." Never mind that it is the legislators' duty to explain to their constituents what the plan really achieves. And -- if necessary -- it is their duty to vote rationally, in support of the country and their districts, even if that contradicts the wishes of voters who haven't been made aware of the ramifications. That is why the Founding Fathers created Congress -- so that ordinary folk are represented by educated, experienced lawmakers who can interpret their wishes and act on them. Now we know they are willing to ignore that mandate to save their own hides, even at extraordinary expense. It's a sad day.
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