MSNBC host Rachel Maddow outlined the Republican path toward grinding the government to a halt on Monday night, pointing out that on multiple occasions over the past few years, GOP lawmakers and candidates swore they would do just that.

“There is nothing about the last few weeks of political back-and-forth that explains why this is happening. There’s nothing about health reform, specifically, that explains why this is happening.

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“What is happening tonight is happening tonight because this is what Republicans want to do,” Maddow said pointedly. “This is what they promised to do. This tactic — ‘Let’s Roll!’ — is an end in and of itself, and that is why there’s no talking them out of it. Elect Republicans and they will burn the place down.”

The fact that Republicans were so focused on shuttering government operations, Maddow argued, was a key.

“It demonstrates a desire to go to extremes, which is fun and ideologically desirable,” she said. “And it shows a decisive lack of respect for what government is. It is a tactical insult to the whole idea of governance.”

Maddow also mocked Rep. John Culberson (R-TX), who invoked the 9/11 rallying cry, “Let’s roll,” during a gleeful meeting with party mates about pushing for a delay on the Affordable Care Act.

“Let’s roll – let’s bring the U.S. government to its knees,” Maddow said sarcastically. “Just like on 9/11. Except the other way.”

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Watch Maddow call out Republicans’ years’ worth of obstructionism, as aired by MSNBC on Monday, below.

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