It happens to people who are having trouble -- psychological trouble. You want an end to the pain and you try to achieve it by hurting yourself deliberately and trying to hide it.
That seems to be what America is doing, according to the subheading in the Washington Post this morning. (It was first reported yesterday.)
A large majority say the economy would probably suffer serious harm if Congress fails to raise the federal debt limit. But barely half support doing so, even if lawmakers also slash spending. ...WaPo
The "self-harm" disorder is something one mostly finds in troubled children.
A large majority of Americans say the U.S. economy would probably suffer serious harm if Congress fails to give the federal government more borrowing authority. But barely half support raising the government’s debt limit, even if lawmakers also sharply cut spending.
A Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that 55 percent of Democrats and half of Republicans and independents support a debt-limit deal that includes a steep reduction in the size of government. But 37 percent of Republicans, a third of independents and nearly a fifth of Democrats say they are against raising the debt limit, under any circumstances.
The hand holding the scissors is, of course, a Republican hand. The numbers show that Democrats are least likely to suffer from this mental disorder, independents somewhat more likely, and Republicans are in deep trouble. One could argue (and I wouldn't argue in contra) that the media are guiding the hand that self-harms.
Still, except for the media's role, this isn't about "fault." It's illness or mental disorder or whatever self-soothing words we can find for self-destruction. Meanwhile the whole body politic -- all of America -- is suffering. This can't go on.
