It appears as though a deal is imminent. Why do I still feel somber?

[Avalux]

Because the deal isn't really a deal at all; it's clamping the artery without fixing the hole. We will be right back here doing this all over again in a couple of months. Between now and then, the Teahista din will be loud and outrageous.

The US is on a never-ending roller coaster ride, with right wing extremists at the control panel. The only solution is the next election.

[Tippy]

1. Agree 100%

[workinclasszero]

2. Because in three months or so the teabaggers will take us all hostage again?

and then three months after that....etc?

[Avalux]

4. Yes.

Do you know how many times the debt ceiling was raised under Shrub? It's never been an issue before and it shouldn't be now. These people will not sway from their agenda, which is ultimately to bring down this country by any means possible and destroy Obama's presidency.

[workinclasszero]

10. Sad but true /nt

[LiberalEsto]

3. I think you put your finger on it perfectly

These assholes won't rest until they've made a mess of everything. I wish rational people living in their districts would start recall petitions. But given the fact that they elected these nuts from gerrymandered districts, it seems unlikely.

[jehop61]

5. we'll be doing this again in a few months

Without a long term deal, government will be paralyzed til 2014. A very bad situation.

[BluegrassStateBlues]

6. The more sane GOP and the media will never allow another crisis like this.

Just don't see them entertaining the idea.

[Avalux]

7. Why the media?

It's feasible sane GOP would step up, but it seems to me that the media loves the drama. Gives them something to obsess about 24/7.

[Kablooie]

8. There shouldn't be a deal.

There should have been two simple votes that passed and then move back into political negotiations afterwards.

The fact we had to make a deal at all just to keep the country functioning is dispiriting.

(And at the moment there is still the threat of an insane filibuster from the Senate. I doubt even Cruz would be that destructive but until it's over the fat lady is holding her breath.)

[n2doc]

9. Because of this:

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/budget/news/2013/09/30/76026/the-senate-continuing-resolution-is-already-a-compromise/

Also, the near certainty that nothing good is going to happen between now and the next crisis the t-baggers work up. January 2015, if we get a Democratic congress, is the earliest that I think one can start to exhale.

[bigtree]

11. well, yeah, it's a finger in the dike

. . . but, it's also an advance in the ongoing battle to neuter these tea party suck-ups.

Plant our flag here and move forward.

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. I feel pretty good. Now we all know what and where the cancer is. n/t

[Auntie Bush]

13. Because it isn't over till the orange pig squeals!

[freshwest]

14. Because we're still screwed, is why.

[maryellen99]

15. I am too

Because even if they pass a bill, the damage has been done.

[ecstatic]

17. Also, we now know that our Constitution can be exploited and the

entire country can be brought to its knees by a handful of extremists. And there is very little chance that congress will act to correct this vulnerability.

[DireStrike]

18. And this time Dems don't have as much leverage.

The GOP will be able to say "They won't negotiate!" And it'll be more believable.