Disaster(ous)

("Eric and Irene")

"Never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before."
Rahm Emanuel- November, 2008

Eric Cantor has given new meaning to Mr. Emanuel's words. Political trade offs are the lifeblood of the system, and always have been. Those in the minority look for whatever edge they can get to make their voices heard and to push their agenda forward. But what was historically distasteful has now morphed into something far more sinister.

From the first big test of this administration, the reform of the health care system, to the auto bailout, and forward, the Republican mantra has been to anything necessary to derail legislation they oppose and move forward their agenda. If that meant not merely distorting facts, but inventing them, that was acceptable collateral damage.

But with their challenge to raising of the debt ceiling , the Republicans went from fact creation into the crisis manufacturing business. And emboldened by the success of these recent efforts, Cantor, and those of like mind, have now established a new pattern. Find a disaster, or make one up, it makes no difference.

Mr. Cantor has discovered what he believes is the perfect instrument to shape the country in his vision. And thus, the wreckage left in the wake of Irene becomes nothing but another political weapon. And Mr. Emanuel's words, living through the actions of Mr. Cantor, now speak to the worst, not the best, of what we can do with a serious crisis.