This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

"This is not over. We have an obligation to fight for the American people and I do not intend to let the American people down." With this statement, as Congress ended, for now, the madness of the government shutdown and stepped away from a far worse government default, Sen. Mike Lee proved himself to be truly clueless.

Does he not get that he has already let the American people down and embarrassed the state of Utah by pursuing such a misguided, unwinnable and dangerous fight? Does he not hear fellow Republicans calling his shenanigans "stupid"? Does he not feel the pain of the millions of Americans now on the brink of getting affordable health care who he is trying to throw under the bus?

An old infectious-disease mentor of mine in medical school preached to us to be wary of "pizza dementia."

By this he was referring to choosing a drug, not based on sound medical evidence, but on which drug maker brought pizza to the house staff the most often.

I believe Lee is suffering from a severe and unfortunately contagious case of "tea dementia." The only cure I am aware of is Election Day.

Greg Tayler M.D.

Midway