Why is the Government Acting So Lame?

Early this morning the U.S. Senate rejected the proposed automakers bailout that had gone through the House of Representatives and seemed to be the answer that the American auto industry was looking for in order to save themselves from what many are calling 'certain doom' but now it seems the prognostications of doom may come true. The puzzling part is that our government, which has been so vocal and arguementative amongst itself over who is responsible for doing what. Now that the elections are over and seats have been won or lost (including the Presidency) it seems that a state of lethargy has taken over many sectors of the government. It's what is classically termed as a 'lame duck' government simply becuase now that the elections are over, there is no real motivation to necessarily do anything.

I can understand from the point of view of the leaders in the government who have lost their seats since the platforms they stood on have more or less led to their losing their seats in the first place. What I don't get is why though they aren't motivated to make a difference. Leaders at all levels of government, including the President, have made statements on how "it's a little late for me to do anything now" whereas they still have a month left to do something; anything. I find it distressing that in the midst of one of the worst financial crises in recent history the government is taking such an apathetic view. When many of these leaders leave their current posts will they be remembered for trying to spearhead one last effort at making a difference or will they be remembered for leaving office with their tail tucked firmly between their legs.

I mean I can't help but think of cases of people who have been on the verge of death and have decided to do something about it. They try to make some difference or do something that will be remembered after they are gone. In this case the government leaders aren't dying but their departure from office can be seen as a similar case and are they content to simply let their legacy be one of impotence? If they don't agree with a certain course of action being proposed then shouldn't they take action to propose an alternate? Why take the opinion that there's nothing that can be done and that the holidays are here so we need to kick back and relax. People are suffering in this current economy and the only suggestions that we get are 'spend more' or 'cut extravagence"?

These are they types of attitudes and ideas you could accept from a child who doesn't know any better but from our government leaders? I think it's inexcusable. I don't mean for them to dump money into the auto industry because I don't think the problems would end there. I think the calls to have strict rules on the basis for awarding these funds be addressed properly. The cases of the banks was made on similar grounds but with less rules over how and what to do. They were given money for screwing up and nothing else. Implementing rules to ensure that this doesn't happen in the auto industry is not wrong. I think it needs to be done but it's just too bad the government doesn't want to take action to do anything about it.