Explanations ...

Or, how the GOP made a mess of the payroll tax cut:

The fight over renewing the payroll tax cut into next year has escalated into a multi-front political war, both between Republicans and Democrats, and within the Republican party itself. 

But lost in the gamesmanship and the arguments about process, hypocrisy, and leadership are the issues at stake. 

So let’s review.
...

These idiots play games while people starve.  Go Google "Emperor Nero".