I Thought "Bipartisanship" Was Supposed to be a Good Thing

But obviously, the Republicans think otherwise:

While millions descend on Washington for the historic Inauguration of Barack Obama on Jan. 20, some Republicans see it as an occasion to get out of town.

“What better way to mark the Obama Inauguration (and his millions of adoring fans that will be in D.C.) than to get out of town to fabulous Las Vegas!” Charlie Spies, a Republican lawyer and former CFO to Mitt Romney’s campaign wrote in a blast e-mail to GOP friends. “We hope you can join us for dinner and a fun evening on Monday, Jan. 19, to celebrate the last few hours of our Republican president in the White House.”

Spies and his wife Lisa, a Republican fundraiser, have gotten about 15 takers so far for this last supper or, as they billed it in the e-mail, their own “Inaugural in Exile.”

They’re far from alone. Others will usher in the new era from the slopes, the islands, the NFL playoffs and even on a serendipitously timed honeymoon. Full Democratic control of Washington may be a bitter pill, but it’s easier to get down from a lodge, beach, 50-yard-line or, especially, honeymoon suite.

Emphasis added.  I wonder if the Republicans will be paying for, say, a few regular Joes - or even for a few "Joes the Plumbers" - on that trip.  Somehow, now I understand why this country is as f***ed up as it is: the economy is in shambles, unemployment is rising, the financial sector and the automobile sector - the one significant manufacturing sector left in the U.S. - are nearly done for, and the people who've run this country for the last eight years - or, perhaps, ran it to the ground - decide to go "into exile" to Vegas, lodges, and all sort of - clearly - middle class retreats, instead of trying to figure out how to make themselves useful.

That's O.K.  I'm pretty sure the "common folk" can relate to the idea of running away from it all and sticking your head in the sand.

Now, if they could only remain in permanent exile . . .