Originally Posted by
GoSlash27
Not really. First of all, consider how these shutdowns come about: Congress intentionally delays budgetary matters until the last second so they can create a crisis if the President objects to all the pork. They've been playing chicken with shutdowns for decades. Presidents have always buckled under the pressure because they're afraid of the effect on the next midterm, so it kinda surprised everyone when this one stuck to his guns.
Trump has shown himself to be very reasonable on this matter. He has attempted to negotiate and offered concessions. The Dems have flatly rejected all of it and offered nothing themselves.
Trump's motivation is simply doing what he campaigned on; building his wall. The Dems' motivation is 100% political; defy Trump, use the shutdown to score political points, and appease the far left fringe of their own base.
So no... I do not blame both sides equally. The Dems fermented this crisis and are wholly responsible for its continuation. All they have to do to end it is give the man his 5 Billion, but they have no interest in ending it. They want it to carry on as long as possible, since they believe all of the suffering benefits them politically.