Will a government shutdown hurt or help?

[RoeVWade]

I'm worried that a shutdown won't bring any more Democrats onboard and may lose some Independents that we will need midterms.

I think Trump's unfavorable polls across the board already gives us the advantage we need at midterms. We still need to fight all his legislative actions as much as possible, but I'm nervous about an actual shutdown. And we need to focus a lot on voting rights, and anywhere they're trying to interfere.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. I think it will help IF it can be pinned on the majority party. /nt

[Heidi]

2. For sure it will hurt federal employees.

They’ll get back pay once it’s over but even a monthlong shutdown can be ruinous in the current economy.

[Wifes husband]

10. Back pay is not guaranteed

I have been through many government shutdowns. They always have to pass a special law for back pay, and there is always opposition to it

[walkingman]

3. I'm not sure anything will help. I personally hope we shut it down as a matter of principle.

[kentuck]

4. It will hurt either way they go.

If they try to save "Obamacare" and other programs being cut, they will take the blame for shutting down the government. That will probably hurt the Democrats politically.

If they go along with the majority Republicans and cut Obamacare and other programs, it will hurt the recipients of those programs.

So it is going to "hurt" whichever way they go.

[Ping Tung]

6. Hurt most. Help a few,

It will be an excuse for the lunatic to institute martial law.

"For the good of the people" is always the excuse of tyrants." Albert Camus

[lostincalifornia]

7. It will help if they focus on one issue, restoring the ACA subsidies, and

the millions that will lose coverage because they cannot afford it without the subsidies.

We should just focus on that, and not all the issues, because otherwise people will get distracted.

[Silent Type]

8. If Democrats can pull it off without alienating the 10% of trump voters who might convert after seeing him in action.

If we can't get to them, it's a waste of time in my opinion. Might rally hardcore Democrats, but won't win elections.

[bottomofthehill]

9. Hurts

The republicans are always happy with a shutdown as to them, it shows that we don’t actually need government at all. Add to that, the democrats are not messaging well, people do not trust the Democratic Party.
It is a win win for the republicans. For the democrats, some will blame if there is a shutdown and some will blame if there is not.