Once this federal government shutdown ends — whenever that may be — it is inevitable that someone will declare victory. However, as things stand, there will be no real winners.
It won’t be the federal workers, who either get to sit at home or labor indefinitely without a paycheck. Nor will it be the wider economy, as the last shutdown cost Americans $3 billion. Let alone the dwindling trust that our leaders can get anything done.
Even so, what other choice did Democrats have?
In March, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer came under fire from many in his own party after he was seen as caving to President Donald Trump when he corralled enough senators to vote to keep the government open. Back then, Schumer believed the opposite, that a shutdown would only empower and embolden the preside