If the government is back in business by the time this letter goes to print, you may stop reading now.

If reports are true, and I have no reason to doubt their veracity as members of both parties agree, approximately 35 members of the House of Representatives have caused the government to hang a closed sign on the front door.

Three dozen Tea Partiers told the nation, the greatest power on earth, “Though we are just the tail, we’ll tell the dog when to bark!” And why? Because “they” do not like the Affordable Care Act and because their de facto leader, Senator Ted Cruz, told them to do so (Cruz sticks it to Boehner!).

“We’re standing on principle,” goes the argument. “Your principles do not matter. Only ours count.”

Fine, what “they” have done is legal and within the framework of the Constitution. It is a selfish, arrogant position to take but “they” are within their rights. So, what can be done? They live in safe Tea Party districts where little or nothing can be accomplished via the ballot box. In fact, “they” are being cheered on by their constituents.

“Bravo, Bravo!”

When I was a child throwing a temper tantrum because I could not get something my parents did not want me to have, the result was usually a good scolding and maybe even a smack on the behind. Nowadays spankings are frowned upon but this does not stop me from wishing and visualizing.

Six weeks ago a person could not find the word “compromise” in the Republican lexicon of acceptable practices. Suddenly, out of necessity, the idea is being championed by the very people who despised the concept. So much for that principle thing.