Nightmare Politics

If you're not into fantasy football and the like, policy buffs around the country can now play Fantasy Congress, a website created by students at Claremont McKenna College. As the New York Times explains,

Just as in fantasy football or baseball, each player picks a team — in this case, 4 senators and 12 House members of varying seniority levels — and competes with other players in a league typically managed by a friend or a co-worker....

Players accumulate points as the legislators they have chosen go about their business on Capitol Hill. A House member or senator earns five points for introducing a bill or an amendment, and more points for negotiating successfully each step in the legislative process.

Yikes! Yes, that's right: In this nightmare Congress, much as in the real one, you "win" by introducing laws and getting them passed. No points for keeping your mitts off our money, or for failing to rush in with a legislative pander after every headline or "Dateline" story.

And so yes, that means that the top-scoring House member is Mr. Pork, Don Young of Alaska. "Don Young's Way" is not just a bridge in Alaska, it's pretty much the story of Washington. And now the story of Fantasy Washington.

Hat tip: Ryan Posly.