They figure if they give in on this, or on anything for that matter, they'll have to re-examine some or all of their other positions.

I'm not just being facetious. Look at how many policies previously favored, even originated, by Conservatives are now on their shit list simply because Democrats, especially Obama, now support them. The Right has no coherent and consistent program or philosophy. Their only strategy is to simply discredit and de-legitimize their opponents and attack reflexively any idea that comes from the Left, or is now embraced by the Left. Even when the Left concedes an issue, the Right immediately hardens their position and rejects the compromise. Its almost as if they want to see the country fail because they actually believe no one sees what they're up to and will automatically blame the Democrats for any catastrophe that occurs.

After over a half-century of following US politics, I've never seen anything quite like this. This is no longer understandable as a difference in ideology. It only makes sense when viewed as a clash of cultures.

Its almost as if we don't belong here, as if we were stealing their country from them; as if we were invaders and they were some kind of occupied nation, a noble and oppressed majority polluted and enslaved by a corrupt and decadent alien race.