$82 Billion More

The ink isn't even dry on the $2.5 trillion budget Bush submitted a week ago, and already he's asking for more. Specifically, he's asking for $82 billion more to pay for the ongoing occupation costs in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Greg Saunders at The Talent Show is absolutely correct when he says that no Democrat should vote for this money until the White House lays out an exit strategy. Of course, standing up in this way will generate a lot of noxious rhetoric from Republicans accusing those who merely ask for a plan with the crime of "emboldening the terrorists."

It's a damn shame that we have an administration that has so little to offer in the way of solutions that it feels necessary to brand as a traitor anyone who notices. I'm as tired of and insulted by that kind of Coulteresque nonsense as anyone. But if accountability means anything any more, then the very least that can be expected is a response to the simple question, "What now?" As Democrats and as Americans, it's time to hold this administration's feet to the fire and demand some answers. The "accountability moment" is now.