2454 Americans have died in Iraq...

50 more this month alone. There's $3.00 gas, stagnant wages and flat job production numbers. A major American city continues to lie in ruins. While there's widespread anxiety about a potential epidemic, we're already plagued by debt and deficit.

So what do Bill Frist and the Republican Senate have to offer?

After a emotional debate fraught with symbolism, the Senate yesterday voted to make English the "national language" of the United States, declaring that no one has a right to federal communications or services in a language other than English except for those already guaranteed by law.

The measure, approved 63 to 34, directs the government to "preserve and enhance" the role of English, without altering current laws that require some government documents and services be provided in other languages. Opponents, however, said it could negate executive orders, regulations, civil service guidances and other multilingual ordinances not officially sanctioned by acts of Congress.

Just dandy. That certainly goes to the heart of our nation's problems and healing our divisions, doesn't it.

Sadly, we lost a dozen Democrats to this nonsense (the 34 no votes included Sen. Jeffords, and independent, and a lone Republican, New Mexico's Pete Domenici). I haven't seen a roll call yet, but I found some solace in the Hotline's look at some Democrats facing tough races this year...

Voting NO

Sen. Menendez (D-NJ)
Sen. Cantwell (D-WA)
Sen. Stabenow (D-MI)

Thanks, Maria.

(Of course, I can't imagine Patty voted for this mess, either. Somebody got a pointer to the roll call?)