Let's not forget, though, what happened in the first Great Depression. Democrats sabotaged our economy with several actions very much like this so-called "stimulus" bill, then did a spectacular job shovelling taxpayer money to the right places to create a sense of gratitude in the American public. The general sentiment of the populace was, "whoa, just think how much worse it could've been if the Democrats hadn't been there for me just now!" This is how FDR was elected to four terms.

When more of us become dependent on government handouts to survive, we have to keep driving that point home: that handout was necessary ONLY because of earlier actions of the same people who voted to give us that money. Do what you have to to survive, but never forget this. Never let the people you know forget, either.

And it looked at the time like Al Franken would successfully steal Norm Coleman's seat. This, along with Gregg leaving and having his Democrat governor appoint his replacement, could've given the Dems a fillibuster-proof 60-seat Senate majority. I'm sure that factored into President Obama's thinking, too.

Actually, bipartisan means, "the Democrats are right." Whether the Dems are the majority or the minority, this definition holds true.