The next time you hear Republicans talking about patriotism and "love of country," be sure to remind them of this:
The first federal government shutdown in 17 years, triggered by a Republican demand to defund the Affordable Care Act on Oct. 1, cost the U.S. $24 billion in potential economic activity -- equalling at least 0.6% of projected annualized fourth-quarter 2013 GDP growth, according to ratings agency Standard & Poor's.
Instead of the 3% annualized growth fourth quarter originally projected in September, S&P now forecasts actual fourth-quarter growth near 2%.
There's a reason Benjamin Wittes wrote that Congress is "
the clearest and most present danger in the world to the national security of the United States."
Name a foreign enemy of the United States that has delivered such economic devastation recently. There isn't one.
So much for "love of country."
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David Harris-Gershon is author of the memoir What Do You Buy the Children of the Terrorist Who Tried to Kill Your Wife?, just out from Oneworld Publications.