I think these craven Democrats who are retiring, who gave away the fight completely, to the GOP, did it in order to be “liked” better by their constituents — for example, they can go home to retire, and say to their constituents, “I voted to compromise with the Republicans so you, who were fired from your Government job, will now get it back.” Or, “Here, poor people, are your Food stamps, which thanks to my siding with the Republicans, you will now receive for another month”. (I think it was motivated entirely by self interest and ego). Kate Delano-Condax Decker