Let's pretend I am an abusive spouse and parent. I steal other family members' stuff and break their things and make huge messes. And I insist that they would die on their own without me.
Sure, I sometimes settle squabbles between family members, but I always do so to my benefit- my interests come first.
And, I do some chores around the house- but I make a big fuss about it when I do. "Look how essential I am!" I crow. "Only I can do this the right way!"
But, I keep making a mess of the family budget, driving everyone deeper and deeper in debt, and I throw a hissy fit when I don't get all the money I want. So one day I declare I am going to leave the family.
But instead of leaving, by any rational definition, all I do is lock a few rooms in the house and say no one can enter until I get my way, and I stop doing anything helpful- except the things that would actually get me kicked to the curb by a family who realizes how utterly useless I really am.
But I don't stop being abusive, nor do I stop stealing, breaking stuff, or making big messes. I even still insist on settling family squabbles so I can continue to guide things to my favor.
Welcome to the "government shutdown".
.
