Economic Sabatoge: The Republican Strategy for Electoral Victory

1.Water down the stimulus package so that it is less than half of what is needed, based on the economy's output gap and unemployment projections, with a larger than ideal percentage of the total package consisting of tax cuts, which are, dollar-for-dollar, less effective than direct spending. (In the end, the total package was for $775 billion, 40% of which was in the form of tax cuts. This with an estimated production gap of over $2 trillion.)
2. As the economy continues to sputter, in no small part due to the inadequacy of said stimulus, begin attacking the administration and democrats for poor economic performance, blaming the economy's woes on the stimulus itself.
3. Continue, throughout 2009 and 2010, to filibuster, delay, and block the extension of unemployment benefits, aid to states and municipalities, and any further stimulus--including a jobs bill consisting solely of tax cuts for small businesses!
4. While Democrats and Obama work out details of health care reform and other domestic legislation in 2009 and early 2010, complain that Obama/Dems should be paying more attention to the economy.
5. Summer of 2010, continue to block unemployment extension and aid to states/municipalities. The more who suffer, the better! The general public senses a worsening economic environment, characterized by staggering unemployment and low growth. Republicans are aware that the general voting public doesn't have time to pay attention to the arcane procedural workings of the United States Senate and isn't going to recognize the role of Republican intransigence--via the fillibuster and other procedural maneuvers--in the economy's worsening condition. After all, the Democrats are the party in power! And that's the ingenius of it all! The Republicans, using arcane congressional procedural rules, are allowed to sabatoge the Dermocrats' recovery efforts while, in the eyes of the avergae voter, come out with little or no blood on their hands.
6. And, all the while, pump up the rhetoric about the deficit, debt, and inflation.

This was the Republican strategy from the start, folks, and we're about to reward this party by handing over control of the House and possibly the Senate in November?

Now, elections are won and lost on a converging mass of issues, personalities, and momentary circumstances. But the number one indicator of electoral success is the state of the economy. Republicans were wise in devising and adhering to a strategy of economic sabotage--their party will certainly benefit this November and perhaps beyond. But at what expense to the economy and to the lives of millions of Americans?