Upright

Political analyst Michael Barone: “The problem was caused by James Madison. And by the 39 other men who signed the Constitution in 1787. The problem, of course, is the government shutdown. It was caused because the Framers of the Constitution wisely provided for separation of powers among the three branches of government. The president would faithfully execute the laws and be commander in chief of the military, but both houses of Congress would have to approve of every penny the government could spend.”