These days, it is the minority that rules

The minority rules.

Now that Raul Labrador and his tea party group of Republicans have managed to shut down the federal government — with thousands of Americans furloughed — it becomes clear who governs our country. It is not the majority of Americans — many of whom blame the GOP for the shutdown — but a small group of House Republicans.

This group, including our own 1st district congressman, is one of 15 tea partiers who have rebelled against their own party leadership and are holding the government hostage to an ideological desire to deny health care for average Americans. Through rounds of gerry-mandering and large campaign contributions from conservative money-funders they have created “safe houses” back home where they believe they are secure in being re-elected.

With a House approval rating as low as 9 percent, these House members have refused to compromise — despite polls showing that 60-70 percent of the American people have opposed shutting down the government in an attempt to stop Obamacare.. And if they lose this fight — which seems likely if Democrats hold their ground — when the 2014 elections roll around and benefits of Obamacare are evident (thousands are exploring their options even in its first week) tea partiers will probably find another ideological issue they can threaten their government with again.

Some are calling it obstruction of justice, others say it is criminal. What we do know is that the majority no longer rules.

JIM RAMSEY

Kootenai