Its times like this that I wish our Federal government was modeled more on the Westminster system...

[Humanist_Activist]

in that system, when the government shuts down, new elections are called for Parliament. This type of policy can be easily transferred here on a practical level, politically may require a constitutional amendment. Maybe something narrowly defined that allows the President to dismiss Congress and call new elections when the Federal Government shuts down.

Call it the "Get fired for not doing your job" act, and we would be ready to go!

And think about this, right now, most Americans seem to blame Republicans for this, if elections were called now, I feel they would lose a lot of seats, while Democrats would retain and gain quite a few.

[Nye Bevan]

1. There are pros and cons.

The biggest con is that an elected UK government with a big parliamentary majority has way too much power. Which explains how Margaret Thatcher was able to do as she pleased.

[Humanist_Activist]

2. Not saying the whole system, just the part about being able to dismiss deadlocked Congresses...

and call new elections in those situations(it would be very limited).

Checks and Balances would still be preserved.

[roamer65]

4. It would take a constitutional amendment to do it.

I agree and you are reading my mind from earlier today. We'd hafta get 38 states and 2/3 of each house of Congress to get it though.

[Humanist_Activist]

5. I say we start pushing for it, it seems reasonable, and will mostly work as a deterrant...

for Congresspersons to pull stunts like the Republicans did in the 1990's and today. They would be risking their jobs immediately, rather than hoping people forget come election season.

[roamer65]

3. It's feast and famine in the Westminster system.

It's great when your party is in power, but heck when it's not.

Unbridled parliamentary majorities can do a lot of damage...i.e. Stephen Harper in Canada.