It's been almost a year...

...since Rush Limbaugh famously said of President-elect Obama, "I hope he fails."

I hope he fails.

This was at a time when the world was gazing into the abyss of another Great Depression. And since not one Republican had the guts to stand up to him, Americans could be forgiven for thinking that the GOP's message to the nation was, "We'd rather see Obama fail than see the country succeed." Nice.

So the Republicans closed their eyes, balled up their fists, and prayed that the economy wouldn't recover. That was their response to the national emergency and that was their strategy for returning to power. Their prescription for what ailed the country? Crickets. And thus was born the Party of No.

Since then, the Republicans have voted almost unanimously against the stimulus bill, against cap and trade legislation, and against health care reform. No, No, and Hell No. Where did all this nihilism get them? The stock market bottomed out in March, the economy is once again showing signs of life, and the president is poised to sign a bill into law ensuring universal health care.

I wonder what the Republicans have planned for 2010.