GOP Leader Takes Another Hostage

The GOP majority leader in the House will not support federal aid for hurricane Irene victims unless the government pays for the support by cutting federal spending in other areas. In other words, the victims of the hurricanes are being used as a lever to reduce federal spending in areas that Cantor does not like. Krugman argues that this is not how government has typically operated in the past and that it is not how one of our two political parties should operate.

It makes perfect sense to me since the goal of the GOP is to reclaim ownership of the US government in the 2012 elections. They have sold a large percentage of the electorate on the need for fiscal responsibility, and for a less active federal government. Cantor's behavior is perfectly consistent with the GOP's campaign strategy. The GOP has a long history of putting party interests above those of the country and this is no exception.