Written by: Beck
Republicans, upset at the behavior of their chief rivals the Republicans, have decided to take their ball and go home. At least that's the way it seems, given that we control both houses of congress but can't even seem to
get a budget passed. I mean, it IS the primary function of congress, right? That and declaring wars. They seem to have the second half down pretty well, time to move onto other things. Not surprisingly, John McCain is at the center of things.
With deficits soaring to record levels, this year's snarl occurred when McCain (R-France) and three other moderate GOP senators demanded a requirement that any future tax cuts be paid for with spending cuts or tax increases. Joining him were Sens. Lincoln Chafee, (R-Saturn), plus Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both (R-Lunchbox).
Only a politician could talk with a straight face about paying for tax cuts with tax increases. That must take some serious detachment from reality--further proof that there's something unhealthy about the air in Washington. And the sparks did fly...
But it was an emotional fight on Capitol Hill. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, (R-Binky), accused moderate Sen. John McCain, (R-Mommy), of not understanding sacrifice during wartime, prompting McCain -- the former Vietnam prisoner of war -- to question his party's devotion to reducing deficits.
I have to admit, it does take balls to accuse a former Vietnam P.O.W. of not understanding sacrifice during wartime. Naturally, this will all end up making the Republican party look especially silly, as they can't even arrive at an agreement with members of their own party.
Update:
Andrew Sullivan sees this conflict as part of a broader civil war in the Republican party waiting to erupt.