Just imagine if Americans as a whole, did what the government is doing. If we shut down, just imagine how much we could accomplish. Stop buying gas, stop working, etc. All the people living the high life from our funds would be screwed. That is the main issue in my opinion though. It is no longer we the people but more self I the people. Everyone seems to be out for what is best for themselves instead of the whole of a people. Once we get to that point, what is the point, when government no longer cares about the people.