the GOP experienced no repercussions to that - and mainly because they cherry-picked staff/agencies as being "essential" and required to work, and thus the public purportedly experienced little impact (outside of the whining about the National Park closures).

The one danger is that in the past, those furloughed were eventually paid but this go-around, with the GOP running the show, the issue might be not paying those who might get furloughed.

when it comes to Presidential elections.

(as a note, I was furloughed for the 2 weeks - until Oct. 17 - during that time)

of income had to go to Afghanistan (big money)and missed the birth of his first child. He used to be GOP but changed his party registration and would never vote Republican again...it wasn't only the money, but the rude GOP comments about people who work for the government. My cousin lives in Northern Virginia. We don't know what he does (he can't say) but a big black SUV picks him up everyday.

But the one thing that they rarely mention until the last minute is this - if the government shuts down, contractors (which probably make up more than half of the government workers) will NOT get paid - even if funding is approved for FTEs (unless their company decides to reimburse them, which is doubtful).

Hubs worked temp for just over a year...miserable experience. He got a decent job in Ohio as an engineer...and is much happier.

If there were ever a time to take the political risk, now is it!

if republicans can't get ENOUGH of their people to vote not to shutdown govt, ITS ON THEM

the government shuts down, it will be OUR fault? Please---let's not normalize this fictional bullshit by repeating their memes.

The only way we could stop a shut down would be to totally cave to their fascist agenda.

They simply are not as intelligent as the Republicans in framing their message. Hard to accept but what other answer is there?

There are 240 Republicans in the House and 195 Democrats. If every Democrat voted for it and no Republicans voted for it, it still would not pass. But if 22 Republicans refuse to vote with their Party, it still passes, no matter what the Democrats do. Republicans have the numbers. But they don't seem to have the leadership or the discipline to bring their people together. They would prefer to blame it on the Democrats. They haven't needed the Democrats up to now and they don't need the Democrats now. They were able to pass their taxcuts without any Democrats and they were perfectly fine with that.

has a poison pill or doesn't fund Chip and fix the dreamer situation. The GOP obstructed the entire Obama administration...and it didn't harm them...in fact they have all the power...too bad they can't govern (not really, I am glad they are too stupid to govern...I hate all their ideas).

that DACA isn't included. But with CHIP included, as it is in the latest bill Ryan put forward, allowing a shutdown would be bad PR for the Dems.

The GOP won't be able to play that CHIP card again -- the bill funds CHIP for 6 years -- which makes a win on DACA more likely in the next extension, which would be only a month away.

blame the Democrats. Why do those Freedom Caucus Republicans get a free ride? They are only considered Republicans when they are needed for special votes, like tax cuts?

a shutdown. The CHIP funding is also important. And again, this bill takes that off the table, denies the GOP the chance to use it for leverage, for years.

And yes, the GOP should have extended the CHIP funding long before this. It's despicable that they've used it for bargaining.

But I would not guarantee that Dems could spin the shutdown as due only to the GOP. I'd guess most voters would blame both sides.

running to court to start deporting dreamers, is a deal even possible?

court in order to start deporting dreamers so he has no intention of making a deal. We may be forced to get what we can. Millions of kid's live are stake with CHIP.

I saw all the pundits on TV this morning saying "No one wants a shutdown".

Tell that to the House "Freedom" Caucus.

Democrats should force the Republicans to get the passing votes from the Freedom Caucus. Under no circumstances should Democrats twist the arms of fellow Democrats while Paul Ryan and the Republican leadership permit the Freedom Caucus to slide by with no blame or responsibility. Democrats should approach this process carefully and slowly.

It would be a long-term defeat for the Democrats if they do not get the DACA passed.