Congressional Republicans have put on a truly pathetic performance for the last several years. Spending keeps going up because of the Farm Bill, the Highway Bill and a Prescription Drug Benefit. Are we trying to buy the votes of farmers, signposts and elderly drag addicts? The issues are more nuanced than that, but the Republicans in Congress need to pay more attention to their real, as opposed to potential constituencies. Yes, it seems like a great idea to capture the center by stealing Democrat thunder (Federal meddling in education, health care, subsidies). The problem being that sometimes that thunder erupts in your own hands and blows off your ears. Political compromise is necessary, but Republicans too often emulate the French by declaring surrender before fighting.