The Republicans are crazy but they are not stupid.

[nevergiveup]

The political price for them would be immense and they know it. They are going to cave before midnight and there will be no shutdown. The problem is that all their temper tantrums and the threat of a shutdown has already caused the taxpayer billions of dollars in the preparation for a possible shut down. Their antics, shutdown or not, have also hurt the economy. I have a small mail order/retail business. We were headed for a fairly good month but the phone has stopped ringing these last few days. Consumers are nervous and who can blame them. Our modest sales gains for the month are being wiped out once again, thanks to a bunch of selfish pouting knee jerk Republicans. This is all old hat. It happened last year too.

[Proud Public Servant]

1. Crazy and stupid are actually the same

Neither crazy people nor stupid people can reason.

Neither crazy people nor stupid people can cpomprehend the relationship between cause and effect.

Neither crazy people nor stupid people can see a reason to take responsibility for their actions.

The only difference is that stupid can be fixed and crazy can't -- so you're right, the GOP is crazy. And crazy is going to shut it down today.

[meadowlark5]

2. Yep. My husband works for the govt

And all last week was taken up with meetings and preparations for shut down. Instead of doing their jobs and working on projects and contracts, they spent pretty much all week organizing for furloughs and a shutdown.

I'm not so sure the repugs will do anything before midnight tonight. I think it's a big wet dream of theirs to shut down the govt, even if it's for a day. It's what they've been salivating for since they all got elected in 2010.

I'm so happy the republican house of reps is stocked with psychopaths. If not for congress or corporations, where would these people work?

[CrispyQ]

3. Too bad there's not a way to shut down govt just for those who hate govt.

I am re-evaluating everyone I know who is a repub. Honestly, how can one support this party?

[mnhtnbb]

8. I'm ready to start every conversation with any new person I meet by asking

"Are you a Republican" And if the answer is 'yes', walking
away after telling the person, "go to hell, you greedy, selfish,
piece of $hit, money grubbing a$$hole".

[meadowlark5]

4. Support them *and* work for the govt

My husband has several people working in his group who hate the govt. Very tea baggy and despise the govt - YET THEY WORK FOR THE GOVT! They enjoy the benefits of health insurance and paid vacation and sick time. Every time he tells me about his secretary saying derogatory comments about the govt, I get Talk about the ultimate in hypocrisy! Hating the thing that provides you with an income and benefits. Have some principals then, quit. Go work in the private sector for a free marketing CEO/corporation.

How is there such stupid, stupid people in this country? Is evolution cyclical? Now we're in the de-evolution phase? Sheesh.

[BlueMTexpat]

5. Unfortunately, I believe that their actions have amply demonstrated that

they are BOTH crazy AND stupid.

They are also wasting a LOT of time and money. I am thoroughly outraged that the costs of their tantrums are not being focused on. Some of their deluded followers actually believed that they were electing these jerk-offs on a program of fiscal responsibility when their cumulative actions/failures to act in meaningful ways have been totally the opposite.

If this crazy, stupid lot brings us to the absolute edge of a shutdown and then caves (which I believe is still very much in doubt because yes, I believe that they ARE that stupid and crazy - I'd really love to be proven wrong), you'll still see the same scenario continued for the debt ceiling and anything else that requires a Congressional vote to continue to spend.

So far, they have not paid a political price and not one of them believes that they ever will. I would like to hope that will change. But US political memory is much too short, IMO, and corporate control is very strong.

It is LONG past time for that political price to be paid. In spades.

[winter is coming]

6. Some of them aren't stupid, but ambition/ideaology is warping reality for the teabaggers.

I think Boehner has enough sense to know that a shutdown is a losing proposition for the GOP, but he's not in control of that runaway train.

[kairos12]

7. Baggers are in completely safe districts and see no consequences

to themselves if they shut the government down. That is the reality. All the rest of the rethugs fear a primary challenge from a bagger in their district. Fear drives all.

[lame54]

9. Now what?