If anyone doubted this (and I suspect few outside the White House and Treasury did), there will be no "adults" coming to the rescue it appears. Congressman Cantor has announced that it will be impossible for him or his party to vote to extend the debt limit (to agree to pay our national obligations) without an agreement by Democrats not to seek a repeal of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest among us.
Congressman Cantor has done us a service. Even the giddiest advocate of bipartisanship can now see, there is no such thing, and all thanks to Eric Cantor, the "honest broker" with whom we thought we might "make a deal." No matter what the consequences, those recognized even by their own acolytes as well as by sane people all over the land making sure the wealthy contributors who might otherwise not be able to give them the millions needed to fund all their assaults on the political system, takes precedence.
Sayeth Eric the Good:
There is not support in the House for a tax increase, and I don’t believe now is the time to raise taxes in light of our current economic situation. Regardless of the progress that has been made, the tax issue must be resolved before discussions can continue.
Unemployment, a possible new great depression, financial panic not seen since FDR rescued the nation from the last pigheaded mess they made is of no importance. Only politics.
Even the President, Vice President and the Treasury Secretary, all believers that sonner or later common sense would reign, may now recognize what they are dealing with is insanity. There are no wise heads left to bring the party back to Planet Earth. Sen Lugar has failed, Sen Spector was driven from the party, Sen McCain has lost his mind, and Senator Dirksen has been dead for a long time.