Bring It.

In the midst of this US government shutdown, some statements by House Republicans show where the real problem lies. From the New York Times: 

“We’ve got a name for it in the House: it’s called the Senate surrender caucus,” said Representative Tim Huelskamp, Republican of Kansas. “Anybody who would vote for that in the House as Republican would virtually guarantee a primary challenger.”

So what? Not to be over dramatic, Representative, but you would not do something that would prevent damage from your country, because it would mean you won’t have your reelection just handed over to you? Because you’ll have to fight for it? Win actual arguments? Rally actual grassroots support? What kind of a politician in a democracy are you?

That connectswith a thought I’ve had during this whole shebang: Where are the moderate, less fundamentalist Republicans? This should be a rallying cry for them. This demise of the GOP (just google recent approval polls) is mainly caused by anti-government extremists from the Tea Party and similar groups. Apparently they are the vocal minority in the party, ruling over the primaries, which is why everyone and their strategists is so afraid of them. They can dominate the primaries because they’re the largest group to show up.There must be many ‘moderates’, many Chris Christie-type Republicans, who just don’t show up on a grass roots level, who don’t make their less extremist voices heard. Who might not agree with (my) liberal politics but who don’t agree with holding their country hostage either. 

How about showing up to the fights instead of giving in. Isn’t that an American value, GOP?