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On Day 13 of the shutdown, I think it is time Republicans stop using the Tea Party members in the House as an excuse for not passing a clean continuing resolution bill. Bullies depend on intimidation. That is the real power they have. It is always the case that when someone stands up to bullies, their power is gone.

The real problem in the House is not Tea Party bullies. It is Republican cowards who refuse to do what is right for the country. They are letting the bullies rule. It is as simple as that.

All the House needs is for one Republican member who commands respect from his or her colleagues to begin speaking out boldly and this thing would be over. But no one has the courage to do so, and that is the problem.

What is truly nauseating is the argument that they are worried about being “tea partied” in a primary election. Are you kidding me? Isn’t this the same thing as saying members of Congress believe it is better to sacrifice the well being of the country for the sake of their political career?

But here’s the saddest part. The American people, including most Republicans, are better than this. Any politician who stands up for the country, who makes a case against the kind of economic terrorism that is taking place, will gain support from voters rather than losing it.

Yes, there are extremist Republican voters who are just like the ones in the House, but they are a minority, just like in the House. They don’t control congressional districts. They just create the perception that they do.

That’s how bullies work, making people believe they are tougher than they actually are. I have no doubt that any strong, courageous Republican who would be willing to boldly take on the tea party would win the support of most of their party voters who reject extremism the same way most Americans do.

So House Republicans who are afraid to go against the Tea Party are selling their own party’s voters short. Until they stop we will never again have a government that can function.