I've always liked and respected Mr. Zakaria's well thought out and well spoken commentary on these type of events, and as usual, he is right on. If the process doesn't matter why even have rules, a constitution, or elections? Why not just have a coup and be done with it?

I honestly fee sorry for all of you south of the border. At least up here if the Budget doesn't pass the House of Commons it triggers an election. If it did that down there at least you'd have a likely end date.

Personally I sort of think its too bad the shutdown isn't all encompassing and total. Furloughed civil servants may not matter but an army of unpaid seniors, stranded airport travelers, unsubsidized business people and disgruntled military personnel might help those playing the "What does the Government do, really?" argument to see that this type of brinksmanship and contempt for the system they supposedly work within is unproductive and hurts real people.