The Shutdown Party. A great editorial from USA Today

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50. WHY AM I NOT HEARING DEMS AND PRESIDENT LINKING THIS BEHAVIOR

to their tactics of refusing to do their jobs over the last 5 years in any manner of ways: 1) refusing to vote on judicial nominees that should be easily approvable by any measure 2) refusing to OK department heads (since 2009!) either because they don't like the department or they don't like the nominee who should be approvable by any reasonable measure 3) abusing filibuster rules in unprecedented ways thereby obstructing needed legislation 4) refusing to vote on issues that are of high importance to the public such as gun and immigration issues 5) as Maddow has said: in general, the GOP has failed as a party to bring arguments to the conversation that are legitimate, credible, defensible, and negotiable. THEY ARE NOT HOLDING UP THEIR END OF A TWO PARTY SYSTEM AT ALL.

They bring nothing to the table. Not a moderating influence on left wing ideas. Not a sounding board of philosophy based on reality. Not any intent to solve real problems. Nothing.

Maddow has listed the accomplishments of Obama, Pelosi and Reid until 2010. Since Boehner and the TP faction have controlled the house, almost nothing has been done by Congress. An overall case should be passionately made (not only by MSNBC) with facts showing how little GOP reps have done to help with the economy and other issues. This shutdown and lack of progress is an extension of stated intent and past behavior. This is an EASY case to make and I wish they would make it. Those interested in effective government should be outraged.