House Republicans have gone so nuts they won't even listen to Senate Republicans (Reuters/Jason Reed)

From left: House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy and Majority Leader Eric Cantor.



House Republicans have gone so nuts they won't even listen to Senate Republicans (Reuters/Jason Reed)

From left: House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy and Majority Leader Eric Cantor.



It wasn't a huge shock when Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown came out and said House Republicans should pass the bipartisan payroll tax cut deal. Even though he's a Republican, he represents a Democratic state and he's facing a tough challenge from Elizabeth Warren in 2012. But when Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN), who is facing a primary challenge from the right, adds his voice to Republicans who say House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and the House GOP should extend the payroll tax cut, Brown looks like less of an outlier.

Their position makes a ton of sense: If House Republicans really want to extend the payroll tax cut, all they need to do is extend it. Instead, they are trying to load it up with poison pills. They want another hostage-taking.

One of the things that's important to remember here is that it would only take about 25 or 30 Republicans to actually pass the extension (this assumes overwhelming support from House Democrats). But if House Republicans do what Boehner is saying they will do, then they will vote overwhelming to oppose something they claim to support. And as a result of their action, 160 million Americans will see their taxes go up when they can least afford it. No wonder everybody hates Congress.