The heart of the matter

Steve Benen goes to the heart of our broken politics: "[A]nyone tempted to think the current conditions are somehow normal -- the parties have never gotten along; divided government is supposed to be dysfunctional -- is simply wrong. We've reached the point at which Republicans have pushed the basics of governing to the brink, in ways unseen in American history. As [Eric] Boehlert explained, 'The Beltway game has never been played the way it's unfolded under Obama. ... The radical nature of what we're witnessing today has no precedent in modern American politics.' That those responsible for this fiasco appear likely to be rewarded for their efforts next year is truly astounding."