The Bupkis Prize
SRU is hard-pressed to identify a field of human endeavor for which there is not some sort of award. However, we note a lack of recognition for those who just don’t get a lot done. To rectify this injustice, we offer the Bupkis Prize, a commendation for resolute inaction. There is stiff competition among slackers, and those who have made the most noise in the course of accomplishing the least are the ones that find a place on our short list.
2023
In 2023, Kevin McCarthy did his most important piece of work as Speaker of the House of Representatives before he was speaker by agreeing to streamline the process of removing him once he was installed.
It seemed like a good idea at the time
2022
Through months of tedious bloviating and grand promises followed by not much, Elon Musk leveraged his $44 billion buyout of Twitter into a Bupkis Prize.
It takes money to waste money
2021
In a Bupkis Prize first, the GOP pulls off a two-fer, retaining the prize for a second year. With a platform that consisted entirely of obstructing the business of the American people, Republicans demonstrated an impressive facility for frenetic inaction.
The party of "No!"
2020
The Republican Party set a high bar for doing less with more in January, kicking its biggest can yet down the road when the opportunity to rid itself of Donald Trump fell into its lap. The GOP snags the prize for 2020.
No problem is too big for today's GOP to ignore
2019
Rather than engage in the difficult work of upholding the law of the land and their own oaths of office in a time of crisis, many Congressional Republicans have found it convenient to leave Washington. They share the prize for 2019.
When the going gets tough... Quit!
2018
The 115th United States Congress has snagged the prize for 2018. Elevating fruitless, infantile, partisan bickering to an unprecedented height, the 115th further distinguished itself with its utter failure to provide stability or leadership of any kind during a tumultuous period which cried for the mitigation intended by the separation of powers.
The lights are on but no one is home
2017
For its sustained deer-in-headlights response to losing the 2016 presidential election, the Democratic Party is awarded the 2017 Bupkis Prize. The party's torpor may be sufficient to keep it in the running for another year.
An unidentified Democrat ponders the future
2016
92,000,000 US citizens eligible to vote share the 2016 Bupkis Prize for stalwart refusal to accept civic responsibility in this year's presidential election.
This is what is accomplished by doing nothing together
2015
The inaugural Bupkis Prize is awarded to Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner. A high profile do-nothing of long standing, Mr. Boehner hasn't gotten much done for years now. We're wondering if he might be happier doing nothing at home.
It is impossible to predict what he won't do next