Remember the Russian nihilists

Nadia Romeo, Las Vegas

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013 | 2 a.m.

The Republicans in the House of Representatives remind me of the nihilists of Russia before the revolution. Nihilism is the doctrine that economic and political institutions must be destroyed through acts of terrorism. By forcing the government shutdown, House Republicans are committing an act of terrorism against the American people.

The Russian nihilists created an organization called “the people’s will.” Like the House Republicans, “the people’s will” rejected persuasion and compromise. Like the House Republicans, “the people’s will” assumed the authority to speak for all the people. Hard-working Americans struggling to survive want no part of the slash-and-burn nihilism of the House Republicans.

The government shutdown will accomplish nothing other than creating misery for many Americans. House Republicans are just throwing an expensive tantrum, as Shakespeare wrote, “Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”