Since last week there have been whispers and rumblings that the right wing extremists have no interest in negotiation. They simply don’t trust either Obama or their own leadership to negotiate any deal they will accept. That attitude is now finding its way into public pronouncements.
“If it doesn’t have a full delay or defund of Obamacare, I know I and many others will not be able to support whatever the leadership proposes. If it’s just a repeal of the medical-device tax, or chained CPI, that won’t be enough.” Scott Garrett (R-NJ)
“Stay the course, don’t give in on it, that’s what the people in my district are saying…We did a town hall the other day, and 74 percent of people said, ‘don’t raise the debt ceiling.” Ted Yoho (R-FL)
They are not alone. According to National Review Online, one well placed Republican aide is quoted as saying
“I think you’d see at least 50 to 60 Republicans break with Boehner if he went for something small.”
The message from the extremists is clear. Either keep the government shut down and let the United States slide into default around roughly the 24th, or Boehner’s Speakership will be on the line and other Republicans in the House best look over their (right) shoulder come primary time if they vote to re-open the government or raise the debt ceiling.
But, there’s more to this than meets the eye. This is part of a longer term strategy that may, far more ominously, have little to do with Obamacare. Remember this “crisis” was pre-planned months in advance. The ACA may simply be the bill of goods the lackeys in Congress have been sold to get their anger and commitment to do battle fired up. Want to know what’s really going on? Here is the pertinent question. Who profits, either monetarily or in operational power, from throwing the government to the wolves both politically and economically? In other words, who is positioned to profit financially from soaring interest rates and fiscal instability, and who stands to fill the void of un-governability?
The “no deal good enough” position plays directly into the hands of those who profit from dysfunction. Were the game not so dangerous to the rest of us, it would be fascinating to watch the puppet masters at play.
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.