Norquist and LaPierre huffing and puffing

Grover Norquist and Wayne LaPierre share a particular scaredy cat view. Both fear compromise, because they see each instance of compromise as a fearful step toward a slippery slope -- a slope that could lead to the public actually liking the result of the compromise.

Heavens-to-Betsy! Then the public might demand more compromises. Next thing you know it could cost Norquist's and LaPierre's favorite deep-pocketed backers some money.

So both of those self-styled Grand Old Party bosses preach that any compromise whatsoever on their pet issues is tantamount to treason. Thus, purity tests loom over all discussions that touch on taxes or guns.

Consequently, Norquist and LaPierre see filibusters and gridlock as good options and it seems many Republicans in Congress still feel bound to vote as that pair dictates. Over the next few months the stale old government-shutdown-is-good smell is going to be hanging in the air. 

Hey, both Norquist and LaPierre would have been seen as crackpots in the 1960s or ‘70s. In spite of the power they’ve wielded over obedient conservatives during the last 20 years, or so, both scaredy cats will eventually be viewed in that very light. They both act like religious zealots, so why not?

Since elections do matter, time isn’t really on their side.

Until a day of awakening comes to the GOP, we can expect Grover and Wayne to keep on huffing and puffing to blown down all they can … that’s what they do. The myopic Republicans who stick by them the longest will pay the biggest price.