At this point of the government shutdown, we as citizens must consider what we can do to avoid more extortion by the most responsible members of Congress. For the members of the House Tea Party caucus, we can conduct positive actions next year in November when the terms of all House members expire. After all, Tea Party members in both houses were instrumental in the government shutdown and could well exhibit the pressure to either continue the shutdown and push for default in a few weeks or end the shutdown and push the world to economic shutdown later. Terms for representatives are two years. Senate terms are six years, coming up every two years, one-third at a time.

The Tea Party Caucus, consisting of some 50 to 60 members of Congress, has pressured John Boehner, the Speaker of the House, to not even allow a vote for a continuing budget resolution (CR). It is likely that such a CR would pass with all minority Democrats voting for it and enough more moderate Republicans. As we know from the media, Ted Cruz, the Republican Senator from Texas, has exerted massive pressure, grandstanding for the media and intimidating Boehner to not allow this vote. The reason behind this irrational move is most likely the knowledge of Tea Party House members that voters from their gerrymandered districts won’t turn them out next year.

We cannot assume that the problem is solved if an agreement is reached, not if the perpetrators – the Tea Party caucus – believe they will not suffer defeat at the polls. Of course, if you noted the right-wing bent of the last Republican candidates, we could elect a radically extreme Republican as president. Then the Republicans in general would have their way, ushering in the GOP wish for reduced taxes for the rich and, in effect, reduced opportunity for the rest of us. The death of our representative democracy would soon follow.

Just by demonstrating your intention to vote against the radical Tea Party caucus would post warnings to the Tea Partiers, and at the same time, encourage all Republicans to abandon their radical right wing ways. Without obstruction, and with cooperation, we could tackle a whole host of problems that Republicans refuse to deal with, all involving investments in our future, including unemployment, education, infrastructure, green technology, and science – all contributing to the well being of all Americans.

Does this sound like a pipe dream? Try it and you will see.