Is this time different?

[eddiememphis]

Well, the sky has fallen and it can't get up.

I've got all of the poor orphan children out on street corners selling apples for a nickel. We should be good - until we run out of apples to sell.

As long as you stocked up on canned goods and toilet paper, you should be fine.

But don't panic, our benevolent leaders will soon settle their differences and get back to providing us with everything we need.

[HoneyBadger]

The reason I asked the question in the title is that this time, we have an administration that is willing to handle the shutdown in a way that shows we don't need all of the vast bureaucracy that has been built up over decades, that life can go on with a more minimalist government -- and ironically, the Trump administration may be poised to make even deeper cuts in the bureaucracy than they could have if the Democrats went along with the House GOP budget.

Agree with the sentiment on national parks etc.

I also think you make a valid point here - the current administration certainly could hold their ground and allow the shutdown to persist for a long time. They also could use it an an opportunity to trim lots of perceived fat.

From a federal employee standpoint, it's a knife edge: If everyone goes home during the shutdown but the train stays on the rails, it kind of confirms that those employees weren't really essential.

I do have good intel that DoD civilians are not currently being considered for a Reduction in Force (RIF) via the shutdown.