In the midst of the "worst economy since the Great Depression" arguably the most important economic legislation  for our country in seventy years came to a vote in the 111th House of Representatives yesterday. The almost total partisan split between the two sides of the political aisle highlighted the entrenched political rancor that still plagues a totally dysfunctional Congress. You would think that if the US economy is really as bad as lawmakers say it is that Americans would see their elected representatives put aside party ideology and work together to do what is best for the country. Unfortunately for America, Congress is culturally and institutionally incapable of doing this. Regardless of what the Senate does with this legislation there are only four possible outcomes for the economy and American taxpayers: 1) The side that won passage ot this legislation is completely right and the  $819 billion they authorized will, in fact, be the exact solution for what ails the US ecomomy; 2) the side that won passage of this legislation is completely wrong, which means that $819 billion, in addition to the nearly one trillion already spent, will be flushed down the bottomless money pit with nothing to show for it but more IOU's for America's  kids and grandkids; 3) Both sides are partially right which means that only $400 billion, plus or minus, will be squandered;  or, 4) Both sides of the political aisle are completely wrong and the $819 billion bill falls on the taxpayer. Lawmakers are betting $819 billion taxpayer dollars on a one in four chance of a positive economic outcome. When are American voters going to wake up?