The realization that they are no longer the majority party finally seems to be sinking in with Congressional Republicans. They're finally understanding that they got their asses handed to them back in November and now the Democrats occupy the majority. Tomorrow, when the 110th Congress is seated, the Republicans will officially be the minority party.

All the way back in 2004, tired of the Republican intimidation and suppression tactics, then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi drafted a letter, attempting to pass a minority party's bill of rights. It was an attempt by Pelosi to stop the abuses of power the Republicans were engaging in. The minority party's bill of rights would have prevented domination and suppression by whichever party held the majority.

Pelosi's letter, in part, said:

"The Minority Bill of Rights includes guidelines for a bipartisan administration of the House and for the regular democratic order for legislation. The principles are fair, and will provide for the full and open debate that the American people expect and deserve."

Pelosi then laid out a series of proposals for the fair and efficient running of the people's business. They included Congressmembers being given a full 24 hours to consider legislation before calling for a floor vote, the amendment or substitution process on pending legisltion being granted to all members of Congress and that rules governing debate must be reported prior to 10pm for a bill to be considered the following day.

But of course, Pelosi was ignored as the Republicans continued to run roughshod over the minority Democrats. In a 2004 WaPo article, aides to Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (aka Fat Bastard) said he would not respond to the two-page proposal from Pelosi. Said Fat Bastard, "I have looked at our record over the years," comparing it with Republicans' ability to offer meaningful amendments during the 40 years of Democratic House rule. "I will hold up our record any day."

Fast forward to today and the Republicans are already crying and whining about the big, bad Democrats steamrolling they, the minority party. And this, before the Dem majority is even seated. The Republicans, fearful of losing power, have drafted their own letter seeking a minority party's bill of rights. Imagine that. Now that they're not calling the shots, they think that giving the minority party some power is a good thing.

From the Republican letter dated December 29, 2006:

Dear Republican Colleague:

Roughly 140 million Americans will be represented in the House by a Republican during the 110th Congress. Our fundamental duty is to guarantee that they receive just and meaningful representation in Congress. This can only be accomplished with bipartisan administration of the House, respect for customary and regular order in considering legislation, and establishing that the right of the minority party will be respected.

With that in mind, please join us in co-sponsoring the Minority Bill of Rights, which we plan to introduce next week. The Bill of Rights is identical – in both letter and spirit – to a 2004 proposal made by then-Minority Leader Pelosi ....

[Lays out details of Pelosi’s 2004 plan]

Amazing, ain't it? These power-hungry asshats squlech debate and stifle the minority while they have total power and now that they don't, they want to make sure the Democrats don't do the same thing to them. What an amazing bunch of stark, raving hypocrites. Either that, or these dumb bastards thought they were going to hold on to power forever.

I'm sure incoming House Majority Leader has much more tact than I do because I'd definitely give the Republicans one of these...







Suck on that, bitches!

That could be why she's in Congress and I'm not... tact.

So congratulations and welcome to the 110th Congress. May you do the people's work well. And to the WATB Republicans left in Congress, welcome to your worst nightmare. Suck on that, indeed.