Nothing but a Capitulation to the Tea Party
So, they won't discuss even discuss of raising even one additional penny of tax revenue and will only agree to spending cuts, PERIOD. What kind of governing is that? That's not how Nixon & McCormack, Reagan & O'Neill, Bush & Foley, or Clinton & Gingrich governed. Sure, all these men hated each other but they still compromised as was pragmatic for the sake of the country. But this "my way or the highway" attitude which started four years ago with the creation of the tea party movement is paralyzing the country.
Republicans are acting like they have huge majorities in both Houses of Congress and one of their own in the White House. Why? The tea party controls the Republican Party today, and the tea party is interested in ONE thing: spending cuts. Compromise with Democrats (even if the D's are in any position of power) is strictly forbidden. So naturally it's easier and politically safer for Boehner & McConnell to do nothing and let the automatic spending cuts begin--hey, they don't want to face any primary challenges next year, right?
This paralysis is the responsibility of the TEA PARTY. These nutjobs refuse to compromise on anything, and even when they lose they expect things to be done as if they had won. Four years ago I was on this thread repeatedly calling for us to act like the "grown-ups", and be more moderate and inclusive, figuring that voters would see Democrats as more mature and pragmatic than the Republicans who had gone so far to the right (I took some heat from other DU users for making those comments). I have to admit that I was wrong. It now appears now that taking a solid liberal stand is the only way to get things done, not because we'll definitely get our way, but it will show the American people that we have certain principles which are a clear contrast with the principles of conservatives. If we both publicly stand behind our convictions, we should eventually be able to reach some reasonable compromises with our opposition insofar as governing is concerned. It may not be done with smiles and handshakes, but the last election has shown me that the liberal population is growing in this country and if we play our cards right we should be in the majority in the next decade or so. We need to give liberal voters a reason to go to the polls on Election Day, so they won't stay home as they tragically did in 2010.
And so, the gloves are off...if Republicans want to play dirty, we'll play just as dirty. We will NOT allow those shits to define who we are any longer.
We need to focus on the good of our country as well the good of our pockets. 
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THAT is where the FIGHT is.
Its easy being Blue in a Blue State.
Too bad my vote never means anything...be it presidential, congressional, senatorial, legislative, or gubernatorial. 