The reckless behavior of Tea Party extremists will surely weaken the Republican Party’s power in the long run.

Despite the fact that Tea Partiers represent only a small fraction of Republicans, the entire party’s image has been destroyed by the faction’s extremist conservative ideals.

Tea Partiers oppose federal spending, taxes, immigration reform, gay marriage, access to reproductive health services and Obamacare.

After years of obstruction, uncompromising attitude, and most recently, holding the nation’s economy hostage, Tea Party members have bestowed upon the GOP an unfavorable reputation.

They allowed sequestration early in the year, attempted to defund Obamacare 40 times and caused the 16-day government shutdown in October.

The GOP pandered to Tea Party extremists’ accusations that President Obama has an agenda to upset and antagonize conservative voters.

It impulsively pursued short-term victory without realizing the political costs they would accrue in the long run.

Many voters do not want to elect or re-elect representatives who are associated with a political party that has done nothing but block legislation and stubbornly refuse to compromise.

Voters are disappointed with the GOP’s behavior and will soon replace its members with more contemporary and constructive politicians from another party.

People want Congress to be productive, not to shut down the government because Republicans refuse to come to a compromise on issues, big and small.

Republicans have already lost a lot of support from female, young and Hispanic voters, due to their extremely religious and oldfashioned policies.

Although the Republican Party is trying to gain support from Hispanic voters by reaching an agreement on comprehensive immigration reform, Tea Party affiliated members of Congress such as Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas and Representative Steve King, R-Iowa, have publicly come out against it.

Comprehensive immigration reform has already been passed in the Democrat-controlled Senate, with bipartisan support, in contrast to the Republican-controlled House.

With Republican Sen. John McCain’s support for the bill, the GOP has somewhat increased its chances of gaining support from the Hispanic community.

But, for every good thing a few Republicans do for the country, there are always more on the other side, reminding Americans how close-minded, uncompromising and antiquated they are.

The GOP will now pay for the monster it created inside its own party, and Republican candidates will pay dearly in upcoming elections.