How does an average person know who is to blame if there is a government shutdown?? [View all]

[kentuck]

Democrats tend to believe it is the fault of Boehner and the Tea Party Republicans. Republicans and the Tea Partiers tend to believe it is the fault of Harry Reid and Barack Obama. They are not capable of seeing it any other way.

How do you persuade them to see it differently? How do you convince them that they are being lied to?

Either side that gives up to the other side will be seen a "surrender monkey". That goes for Democrats as well as Republicans.

Who is holding the cards? Who has the power to stop or start the government whenever they choose to do so? What power does the President have in this shutdown fight? What power does the Senate have in this fight? What power does the Congress hold?

The Senate and the President cannot do anything unless the House agrees to it. They are the ones with their fingers on the light switch. They are the only ones that can turn the lights on or off.