KRUGMAN Explains "THE BLACKMAIL CAUCUS"-Nice country you got-Shame if something were to happen to it

[kpete]

During the first two years of Mr. Obama’s presidency, when Democrats controlled both houses of Congress, Republicans offered scorched-earth opposition to anything and everything he proposed. Among other things, they engaged in an unprecedented number of filibusters, turning the Senate — for the first time — into a chamber in which nothing can pass without 60 votes.

And, when Republicans took control of the House, they became even more extreme. The 2011 debt ceiling standoff was a first in American history: An opposition party declared itself willing to undermine the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, with incalculable economic effects, unless it got its way. And the looming fight over the “fiscal cliff” is more of the same. Once again, the G.O.P. is threatening to inflict large damage on the economy unless Mr. Obama gives it something — an extension of tax cuts for the wealthy — that it lacks the votes to pass through normal constitutional processes.

Would a Democratic Senate offer equally extreme opposition to a President Romney? No, it wouldn’t. So, yes, there is a case that “partisan gridlock” would be less damaging if Mr. Romney won.

But are we ready to become a country in which “Nice country you got here. Shame if something were to happen to it” becomes a winning political argument? I hope not. By all means, vote for Mr. Romney if you think he offers the better policies. But arguing for Mr. Romney on the grounds that he could get things done veers dangerously close to accepting protection-racket politics, which have no place in American life.

the rest:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/opinion/krugman-the-blackmail-caucus.html

[WinkyDink]

1. Well, well, well. A glimmer of recognition that the GOP is nothing more than the MOB.

[Lindsay]

2. Yep.

I've been saying that for a while now. First create a problem. Then offer yourself as the only solution. Exactly the same MO.

[kenfrequed]

4. Yeah.

What I don't get is how we couldn't get it to penetrate through the media in 2009 or in early 2010. We should have demonized their insane opposition and hung the economic problems around their necks. Instead we wasted time being 'bipartisan.'

Being bipartisan with republicans is like negotiating with cannibalistic zombies. "Ok, fine, I'll five you my leg and I promise not to scream too much but after that you have to leave."

[Flashmann]

3. As I've said,numerous times....

ANY other group or organization,would long ago faced RICO charges for the crap they've pulled....If not charges of treason.....

[CTyankee]

5. Krugman's column today depressed the hell out of me. He is always right.

But here's a case where I wish he weren't.

He's absolutely right on talking about the cynical deal the republicans have cooked up. We should all be indignant over that. But it makes me sad, too.

[nolabels]

6. Wow! Krugman just realized that they shot John Kennedy.

Protection-racket politics? Like its been a been in a protection-racket mode like since forever and about fifty since they knocked off the POTUS.

[kentuck]

7. This seems to be their argument...

<snip>
Is this a good argument?

The starting point for many “vote for Romney or else” statements is the notion that a re-elected President Obama wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything in his second term. What this misses is the fact that he has already accomplished a great deal, in the form of health reform and financial reform — reforms that will go into effect if, and only if, he is re-elected.

But would Mr. Obama be able to negotiate a Grand Bargain on the budget? Probably not — but so what? America isn’t facing any kind of short-run fiscal crisis, except in the fevered imagination of a few Beltway insiders. If you’re worried about the long-run imbalance between spending and revenue, well, that’s an issue that will have to be resolved eventually, but not right away. Furthermore, I’d argue that any alleged Grand Bargain would be worthless as long as the G.O.P. remained as extreme as it is, because the next Republican president, following the lead of George W. Bush, would just squander the gains on tax cuts and unfunded wars.

====================

[Egalitarian Thug]

8. K&R There's a reason that protection rackets work. Very few people will stand up

to the extortionists and most of those that do get no support from those around them. Everybody want the problem fixed, but nobody is willing to put their own ass on the line to fix it.

[gulliver]

9. Yup, when Republicans drive the car, they drive it into a ditch...

When someone else takes the wheel from their incompetent hands, Republicans sabotage the car.

The only way to stop it is to take all power from the Republican Party until they get past their crazy-stupid. Republicans shouldn't be anywhere near the controls of the car in the condition they are in. Voters should lock the Republican Party in the trunk.