If Republicans were the fiscal conservatives they pretend to be, they would hold fast for a $500B reduction in deficit spending which is otherwise $1.65T this year or about $14,228 of added debt for every adult couple in the US. Such a reduction would reduce deficit spending by less than one third. Surely, if Democrats comprehended numbers, this would be recognized a meeting Democrats 2/3 in Democrats favor. If Democrats want to shut down the government, take heart, Belgium has gone over 300 days without a government without many ill effects. I will think more kindly of Democrats.