It's almost like the super villain plot in the latest superhero summer blockbuster: Repeal health care reform or we'll destroy the world's economy.

Boiled down to its essence, that's the master plan of the Tea Party contingent holed up in the House of Representatives. Because, let's face it, the longer this budget standoff continues, the more damage it does. Hey, I'm not a fan of PPACA either, but talk to an economist worth his or her salt and they'll tell you that the federal government staying shut down, and defaulting on our debt obligations, will cause far more harm – to  far more people – than Obamacare will in its present form.

Not only that, but from a public relations standpoint, it's been a bloodbath for the Republican Party. And don't tell me they shouldn't care what the public thinks when that's all politics is. Guess what? It really is a popularity contest. And not many bullies get elected class president or homecoming queen.