But, as James Kwak and I explained in our book on US fiscal policy, White House Burning, the time when the Republican right favored responsible budgets and financial stability has long since passed. Now the right – increasingly catering to a Southern, rural, and white constituency – cares much more about shrinking the federal government, and in recent years has viewed shutting it down or threatening nonpayment of debts as a way to “starve the beast.”