WE HAD TO DESTROY THE VILLAGE TO SAVE OURSELVES:

Revolt of the Nihilists (DAVID BROOKS, 10/01/08, NY Times)

[L]et us recognize above all the 228 who voted no — the authors of this revolt of the nihilists. They showed the world how much they detest their own leaders and the collected expertise of the Treasury and Fed. They did the momentarily popular thing, and if the country slides into a deep recession, they will have the time and leisure to watch public opinion shift against them.

House Republicans led the way and will get most of the blame. It has been interesting to watch them on their single-minded mission to destroy the Republican Party. Not long ago, they led an anti-immigration crusade that drove away Hispanic support. Then, too, they listened to the loudest and angriest voices in their party, oblivious to the complicated anxieties that lurk in most American minds.

Now they have once again confused talk radio with reality. If this economy slides, they will go down in history as the Smoot-Hawleys of the 21st century. With this vote, they’ve taken responsibility for this economy, and they will be held accountable. The short-term blows will fall on John McCain, the long-term stress on the existence of the G.O.P. as we know it.

The House GOP is kind of like the serial killer in fiction who shreds prostitutes because they tempt him, but they've apparently decided to tear down the Republic because the they think the temptation to govern it corrupted them.

It makes for a fascinating, often amusing, psycho-drama, but it's odd that they think the rest of us should suffer for their perceived sins.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 1, 2008 6:40 AM