A government shut-down is crazy.

No individual, Politician, office-holder or Party has a right to shut down government. That's the most 'un-political' act possible. Only a Party or individual politician who is looking-out for himself/herself would propose such a political move. "Holding a Nation hostage" reflects the lack of a 'democratic' perspective and a complete mis-understanding of the function played by someone in a political position of power. There can be differences between Parties, but no Party has a right to shut-down government while they work out those differences; or use a shut-down as a means to get political concessions. The government belongs to the People, not the politicians. Politicians should be trying to make government more democratic instead of less democratic and they do not have the privilege of shutting-down a government that does not belong to them. A shut-down by any Party is a perfect example of a complete mis-use of political power. The People in a democracy need government. The People put those politicians in power and now the politicians are closing down their government. Wow, they just don't get it, do they. That's why a democracy needs Statesmen. The problem with the human condition is that it cannot handle power. Once an individual assumes a position of power, s/he immediately proceeds to assert her/his individuality and abuses the position. The days of "rugged individualism" are over. A democracy is not about an individual, its about each and every individual in a 'condition of togetherness'. A Democracy includes all its People, not just a few, not just the 1%, and not just the rich. Where are our statesmen?