Who’s to blame for a shutdown?

The federal government is moving closer to its third government shutdown since President Donald Trump took office. This time, the president says he is not willing to sign a spending bill that doesn’t include funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Republicans are so dysfunctional that they will shut down the government, even when they hold control of all three branches of government, because of Trump’s Twitter tantrums over a wall. Andrew Jason Neumann

Some people who patrol the southern border want the wall. I say shutting down the government to give these people what they need to help fight the illegal crossings is a great thing. So shut it down. Jim Creekmore

Trump failed to get Mexico to pay for the wall, so now he wants U.S. taxpayers to pay for it, and if not, he’ll put a lot of government employees out of work. And all in time for Christmas. Mike Johnson

Government shutdowns occur for one reason: One side wants something they don’t have the votes for, so they take the country hostage. Larry Best

No matter what Democrats do to cause a shutdown, Republicans will always get the blame. Ken Netzel

The real point isn’t the wall but Trump’s desire to be the powerful bully on the playground. And he can only suc- ceed by intimidating the other kids into his bidding. Mary Nichols

If you understand that Trump won because voters want a wall to keep out illegal immigrants, you’ve been paying attention. If you think voters elected Trump to keep the government from shutting down for a few days, you probably work in the news media. Mike Herman