Lots of people and pundits overlook this bit of history: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/15/us/politics/15boehner.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Indeed, it gets scant attention even in the above article. Here’s the relevant bit:

When Republicans took control in 1994, Mr. Boehner became chairman of the House Republican Conference, the fourth-ranking job. Just as he had in Ohio, he formed close ties with industry and developed a tight circle of advisers, many of whom have moved on to become lobbyists. Mr. Boehner’s taste for parties and fine wines also soon became evident; his Republican Convention-related soirees are a legend.       

Mr. Boehner lost his leadership position in 1998 after his fellow Republicans decided to clean house after losing seats.

Got that? Speaker Boehner got the axe once, and he is scared it’ll happen again. THAT is why he won’t cross The Thirty and allow the CR to be voted on in the house. He is so attached to the gavel, he’ll let children starve and die, deny Americans health care, weaken our national defense, and bankrupt the nation. The narcissistic son of a bitch.

Not that this writer is the only person to have had this thought: http://wosu.org/2012/allsides/government-shutdown-whos-affected/ Jack Torry and Jonathan Alter have said similar things in the past.

When one man’s lust for power can hold an entire nation hostage,  we need to make some changes. De-jobbing Boehner would be a good start.

Mr. Blunt and Cranky