More Thoughts About the Shutdown

The question most on my, and a lot of people's, mind lately about this whole Congressional mess is: why are Republicans so against the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare)? A New York Times article entitled "A Population Betrayed" discusses the issue of Republicans leaving their own supporters without health insurance, some among the poorest in the country (obviously this excludes Rupert Murdoch, and the like). If the Republicans don't find it a worthwhile endeavor to ensure the people who put them in office, never mind Democrats, independents, and politically apathetic individuals, the basic right of healthcare, what exactly do they intend to accomplish in Washington? Stop people who love each other from getting married? Insist on trying to maintain America's Puritan image of centuries past? It's been too long since the government was able to put its differences aside and make an important stride for a country running out of steam.