11th October 2013, 5:16 AM
Well it sure is nice to be optimistic, but the reality is that, as the Daily Show put it, they have taken a hostage that they don't value at all. Further, they have stated very clearly that they actually WANT to see government all but completely dismantled. That is their platform. They don't mind this shut down, because they think it is good. You can't negotiate with that, because if you give them what they want, you legitimatize this tactic, and further, they have NO desire to "let the hostage go free unharmed". They'll get what they want, then KEEP the government shut down.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)