Personally, I endorse movement towards fiscal conservatism. But these Tea Party people are so idealistic and inexperienced that they're running the risk of breaking our country in an effort to achieve their ideals. I think they would have had an excellent chance of adding to their numbers had they used their power to win some battles in the Congress, add more seats to their numbers in upcoming elections and then win some more battles and ultimately the war in the future. But I think they've destroyed that opportunity by acting as they have. They were sent to Congress to govern more conservatively, not to govern with the destructive results that are happening.

If the stock market plunges several hundred more points, as is predicted. If the financial system becomes constrained because of a default or threat of a default. If the economy slows from it's already anemic recovery. If unemployment rises. If government services that no one ever thought of are suddenly withdrawn...then I think the electorate will be looking around for someone to blame. There's not much question that the Tea Party will have been the group that kept heaping on the straws that finally broke the camel's back. There's nothing wrong with the ideals they espouse. But they didn't know how to navigate the political process to their greatest advantage. That will cost them and anyone else who calls themselves fiscal conservatives.

There are some who might respond to this post today saying...it's not over 'til it's over. In my opinion, regardless of what happens in the next 48 hours...it's over.

No, Richie, I'm of a mind that the Tea Party has wasted a tremendous opportunity.