Shutdown talk seems to be coming to a head

This is just politics as usual.  Each side wants to blame the other for the shutdown, but where is an actual plan to reduce the deficit?  Let's see an actual plan instead of a lot of drama.  Otherwise, I say shut it down and take responsibility for shutting it down.  If the politicians don't want to come up with an actual plan to cut the deficit, a forced pare down of its functions may be just the medicine it needs.  No deal until they've got a real plan with real timelines and benchmarks.