Americans are saying that the GOP are acting like spoiled children on the budget debate. (L) Vintage photo from Ivory Soap ad 1934 (R) Contentious parties illustration from “Newsbook A Report in Depth of Elections 1964” Dow Jones &Co. 1964

Nobody likes a spoiled child.

He is unhappy and unsure of himself. He needs help in changing his ways, in growing up.

A quick consult with “Your Child and You –A Guide for Solving Childhood Problems” confirms what most Americans are saying. The Republicans are acting like spoiled children, and pre-schooler at that.

Poster Boy for Republican Spoiled Child House Speaker John A. Boehner
( L) Your Child and You-A Guide for Solving Childhood Problems by Sidonie Gruenberg 1950 (

The author of this 1950 book Sidonie Gruenberg, “one of the worlds foremost authorities on children and their care” offered insight and expert help in understanding this “problem child” we are all dealing with.

“Mothers and Fathers” the  book explains “often express concern around the time their child reaches the advance age of 3, about how “bad” she or he is. “Ted is so selfish-he never wants to share” “John attacks any child who crosses him- is he going to grow up to be a bully?”  “I overheard Michelle telling an outright lie today!”

Clearly when it comes to the Republicans, we are dealing with a case of arrested development.

“Parents need not worry,” the book gently comforts anxious parents.  “It is typical of the of the young pre-schooler who has not yet learned the need for give and take and not yet able to make fine distinctions between right and wrong.”

Parents need not worry but citizens need to. The juvenile behavior of that poster boy for Republican spoiled child, House Speaker John Boehner has led us into a damaging and  needless crisis. And we haven’t even gotten to the chapter on anger, quarreling, competition and the problem child.

A Time out for Republicans after the House Republican’s infantile outbursts this past week over Obamacare and the budget debates (L) Vintage illustration from Childcraft ad 1950 (R) Vintage editorial cartoon Life Magazine 1948

The House Republican’s infantile outbursts this past week over Obamacare and the budget debates led me to learn why children have temper tantruns.

“No matter how reasonable parents are in setting limits and enforcing them during the early years they are bound to meet with contention, refusal, tears, resentment and very likely a temper tantrum.”

“A child throws a tantrum when he is made to feel helpless. Sooner or later every child runs into serious frustrations. Mother keeps him from what he wants to do or she makes him do what he doesn’t want to do. Being more powerful, she wins out. Little Johnnie can do nothing but scream and kick, beat his head on the floor, smash his toys or perhaps pound mother with his fists. The child is in an unthinking rage, and Mother has to do the thinking for both.”

Sound familiar?

Republicans, it’s time for a time out!

© Sally Edelstein and Envisioning The American Dream, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Sally Edelstein and Envisioning The American Dream with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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