Like I’ve said before, a scan of Trump’s brain would show that on the left there is nothing right and on the right there is nothing left.

I agree with you Chris - it was a political decision based on long knowledge of how shutdowns affect the party doing the shutdown. What I don’t understand is why those 10 Democratic U.S. Senators didn’t bargain, didn’t get something from their concession to a continuing resolution. What do you think?

I’m not convinced. Recent events have demonstrated that the average American’s understanding of civics is abysmal. Right now, the Republicans are in charge of the federal government, and executing their agenda with glee. People just don’t understand the legislative fine points sufficiently to apportion blame. So, if the lights go out, it seems more likely (to me) that the onus would fall on those in charge - if, if, if Democrats got their messaging right.