If the Republicans have to back down on this issue, they will come to the Debt Ceiling debate with a base that's even more determined to see them stand up to the Democrats. In the Tea Party bases mind we are the aggressors (fortunately that's a pretty small part of America). So by combining the two we can avoid fighting the same fight on more dangerous ground in two weeks.

Bryant

... that the radical House Repuglicans are determined to crater the U.S. economy and the federal government.

In their twisted minds they believe that even if they are responsible for the crisis, ultimately Pres. Obama will be blamed ("it happened on his watch&quot and that he will finally and fully be discredited and delegitimized as President.

Yesterday I thought that maybe this mess would be over in a few days, that the Tea Party Repuglicans in the House would find a way to pass a clean Continuing Resolution.

This morning I am beginning to believe that there is in fact a harding of the extreme right-wing not only in the House, but around the nation.

I think the radical Repuglicans and Tea Party-types see an economic crash as a way for some kind of coup against the President ... they don't know how, but chaos is a tool they can exploit to take power.

I've watched this shit for 50 yrs. Their will is forged steel, and they see anyone to the "left" of Reagan as weak, cowering and ready to acquiesce. This outlook underwrites All. When the Democratic Party understands this and begins to act like a Real party, then they can begin the long-term struggle to smash iron plates, knock out rivets, and torch-cut steel away from the far right. Cowing to corporate interests doesn't make it.

It doesn't even get you in the game.