The Federalist: This Shutdown Is Just Democracy At Work
"The President lectures Congress that 'you don’t get to extract a ransom for doing your job.' This misunderstands our government on every level. Congress’s job is, indeed, to fund the operations of government. But it’s a mistake to view the appropriations process as a rubber stamp on government. Rather, it is a vital part of our nation’s separation of powers. James Madison explained, in Federalist No. 58...." [rdbrewer]