"That's what they sent me here to do!"

Let's assume that you're right, O Mighty Republican Congressional Class of 2010. Let's assume, that is, that the budget plans you're pushing now are the same ones you were pushing during your campaigns last fall. Let's assume that your constituents heard you, and understood just what your budget plans would mean, and they were all for it.

Let's assume, too, that those budget plans were the major reason -- or even a major reason -- they voted for you. (Rather than, say, "It's time for a change" or they liked your smile or Incumbent Jones is a total schlub.)

Let's assume all of that. And let's do one more thing: Let's set aside the whole question of whether the plans you're pushing are good policy, or misery on steroids; we'll leave that conversation for another day, OK?

So where are we? We're here: You each ran a campaign based on those ideas, and you made your plans explicit. Your constituents heard what you said, understood what you said, supported what you said, and it was a large part of why they voted for you and sent you to Washington.

So welcome to Washington.