To heck with the idea that both sides should be blamed for the shutdown of the U.S. government.

The Republicans — check that, the extremist Tea Party Republicans whose numbers are high enough to have power — deserve the blame for this one. While what they are doing may be legal, from an ethical standpoint, they are holding the federal government hostage.

In no uncertain terms, they have made it clear that they refuse to vote in favor of anything — a “lights on” bill to end a shutdown or a bill to increase the debt ceiling that would prevent a government default — unless Obamacare is thrown out.

House Speaker John Boehner has countered by saying if the president would negotiate to fix flaws in “Obamacare,” the shutdown could end.

Hogwash.

Based on their behavior, Tea Party Republicans are unwilling to negotiate on anything. They have been told by their “constituents” to stop ObamaCare, at all costs. They promised their supporters that compromise was wrong, and unnecessary, and that they will never agree to anything that does not align with their beliefs.

And for whatever reason, Tea Party Republicans have it in their head that everything about ObamaCare is wrong, that it is just that black and white.

The fact is, ObamaCare, and the problems and solutions surrounding health care for that matter, are as gray as the sky will be this weekend.

Few understand all that ObamaCare encompasses. Yes, everyone will get coverage (whether they like it or not) and those with pre-existing conditions will be able to get health insurance.

It certainly isn’t making health care more affordable, as some insurance premiums will be increasing significantly due to ObamaCare. Whether that is due to real costs, or because ObamaCare gives health insurance companies an excuse to gouge customers, who knows.

It’s unclear if ObamaCare will work to cut health care costs, but it’s time to move on. Let ObamaCare, with all of its potential flaws, go to work for a while. If it fails, then change it. But give us all a break with this sanctimonious act.