All politics has become nationalized today. Therefore, whenever something happens on the national level, I hear about it. I can tell by the number of comments when something has struck a nerve. This latest government shutdown, due to a congressional standoff, struck a nerve. 

It surprised me because these federal government shutdowns have become somewhat routine in recent years. However, this one appears to have broken the camel’s back. It also seemed more childish than others. Every time it happens, it’s like children on a playground that, when one of them doesn’t get their way, they take their ball and toys home. Someone needs to explain to them that running the United States government is not like play time in kindergarten.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us.