While we may snicker at how inept and self defeating the self immolation of the Repub party appears, and indeed I can't help myself from marveling at the spectacle, we must not forget the dark and dangerous undercurrents that direct this behavior, for in fact I do believe a certain madness is inflicting a significant portion of our population. The seemingly bizarre suicidal behavior is a symptom of a deeper psychosocial malady that is extremely dangerous, chaotic and unpredictable.
There have been diaries on the subject of stochastic terrorism and I can't help but think of the Repubs odd behavior without putting it in this context. Their leaders, by actions that are seemingly bizarre, illogical and suicidal, are actually sending a signal; "now is the time to go all in!"
And we have their leader seemingly under siege. (Limbaugh)
We have a mass murder in Afg. by a soldier.
We have an unhinged, self appointed, neighborhood-watch gun nut, stalk and murder a young, defenseless black kid.
We have the bizarre, double-down crazy, all-in Ryan budget.
Reality is closing in around some very sick people, their world view is being challenged and may be collapsing around them; they are about to be trounced and repudiated in a big way come Nov. The tide of history is against them. You cannot. Stop. Progress. On some level they must know or suspect this. They are desperate, and sick and crazy.
They are also still very, very dangerous. And while they may be going out in a blaze of suicidal glory, their psychological profile also suggests that they will do everything they can to take as many of us down with them as they possibly can.