They want a default. They want an explosive, “Mad Max” end to history in order to validate all their hatred, racism and pessimism.
This comment from a TPM commenter nailed it – and in so doing, explains why it is eventually going to be a 14th Amendment solution, or bust.
Here’s the tell on whether there’s any chance we’re not going down in flames next Tuesday (or whenever the tap really runs dry–revenues have apparently been running a bit ahead of predictions): when people start talking about a plan passed without House Teahadist votes.
And by that measure, we’re screwed.
It was just so goddamned frustrating to listen to everyone ignore the gigantic flare-lit elephant in the room last night: the Teahadists want a default. It is their primary objective. It’s a goal, not a threat, an end, not a means of getting what they “really” want. And there is no “second best” they’re willing to take than anyone else in Congress, particularly in the Senate can also take.
The only bill that will averts catastrophe is one the Teahadists will not vote for–and will bring down Boehner for bringing to the floor and every corporately-owned Republican who votes for it. And I just don’t see Boehner as being man enough to sacrifice his own career to save the ship or smart enough to see that that’s the only answer. He’d rather drive it over the waterfall in flames.
That’s always been the problem, that’s always been the danger. It has been apparent for weeks to everyone except the blathering Cable Asshats and their increasingly clueless print and Internet analogs (yeah, I’m talking to you Gail Chaddock of the Christian Science Monitor–yeah you and your “la de da politics as usual” framing that you’re constantly spewing on NPR on my morning drive).
And now, here we are careening down the last mile before we hit the River Styx, and we’re still trying to reason with the screaming maniac flooring the accelerator and laughing maniacally at the sign that says “BRIDGE OUT” in no small part because we’ve been assured he’s really a sane, sober fellow who’s opinion matters.