[Mick]

I think the problem is that for one of the two major parties, a functioning and efficient federal government isn't nearly as important as it is to the other.  This is why Democrats will be at a disadvantage in any government shutdown fight, because a shutdown is catastrophic to a Democratic view of government (as a potential force for good in people's lives, as shutdowns mean that various programs Democrats find important stop helping people) but somewhat in service of a Republican view of government (as a restriction on individual liberty through onerous regulations and omnipresence in American lives), particularly since the military remains functioning during shutdowns. 

Thus, a neutered federal government isn't a bug to many Republicans--it's a feature.

I don't think that's true.  I think Democrats welcome the prospect of a government shutdown to show what mean, bad people the Republicans are.  Didn't get your SS check?  Republican fault.  Long lines/shut down at the fill-in-the-blank government supported organization?  Republican fault. 

It's so, so, so easy to blame the Republicans during shut down time.

[Mick]

I think the problem is that for one of the two major parties, a functioning and efficient federal government isn't nearly as important as it is to the other.  This is why Democrats will be at a disadvantage in any government shutdown fight, because a shutdown is catastrophic to a Democratic view of government (as a potential force for good in people's lives, as shutdowns mean that various programs Democrats find important stop helping people) but somewhat in service of a Republican view of government (as a restriction on individual liberty through onerous regulations and omnipresence in American lives), particularly since the military remains functioning during shutdowns. 

Thus, a neutered federal government isn't a bug to many Republicans--it's a feature.

I don't think that's true.  I think Democrats welcome the prospect of a government shutdown to show what mean, bad people the Republicans are.  Didn't get your SS check?  Republican fault.  Long lines/shut down at the fill-in-the-blank government supported organization?  Republican fault. 

It's so, so, so easy to blame the Republicans during shut down time.