Lobbyists Pay Taxes Too, Sometimes.

Quote:  "American taxpayers, and anyone concerned with the nation's long-term fiscal stability, have won a great victory today." House Republican Conference Chairman Deborah Pryce (Ohio).

Figure of Speech:  bomphiologia (bom phi o LO gia), the chest-beating figure.

The House took a bold step, passing by 216-214 a bill that slashes spending by almost one half of one percent.  Pryce celebrates with a bomphiologia (Greek for "booming language"), a figure that brags with big words.  By "American taxpayers," of course, she means "the House leadership."

Having done their bit for long-term fiscal stability, Tom DeLay's successors began negotiations with the Senate over $60 billion in tax cuts -- a measure that, combined with yesterday's bill, will add a net $16 billion to the deficit.

Now, that will be a great victory.

Snappy Answer: "Which American taxpayers?"