Tea Party gang is trampling democracy

Well, the radical wing of the GOP got their wish, the federal government has shut down. House Speaker John Boehner, appearing as feckless as ever, allowed a small pack of Tea Party extremists to hijack the entire party. They truly believe that the majority of Americans support their bizarre vision quest, the goal of which is tear down the government and crush President Obama. It’s as simple as that.

So fearful are they that the Affordable Care Act might actually work they’ll do whatever it takes to try to stop its implementation even if it means trampling our democracy. They’re emboldened by and indebted to the millions spent by Citizens United, Americans for Prosperity and other special interests that keep this ridiculous clan of bomb-throwers lurching along.

The Tea Party gang has alienated women, Hispanics, blacks, the disabled, gays, lesbians and generally speaking any reasonably minded voter who might be in the middle. They have no fear of retribution because they know that back home in their districts most voters applaud their “burn it down” agenda. They really don’t care how the country might be harmed as long as they stand their ideological ground.

But here’s the problem: Those voting blocks are small and in some cases shrinking while the demographics of the rest of the country are changing and becoming far more ethnically and socially diverse. The GOP will never, ever win another presidential election unless they rid themselves of these demagogues or at the very least muzzle them.

Dave Crost

Prospect Heights