What is the point?
From the Republican side, the point is to remove any sympathy that may have been directed toward the federal employees. And, thereby, keep the focus on Obamacare.
Remember that, in this confrontation, the federal employees aren't the enemy -- it's the administration and the Democrat Senate. And their "plight" shouldn't be an issue -- that belongs solely to Obamacare.
“From the Republican side, the point is to remove any sympathy that may have been directed toward the federal employees. And, thereby, keep the focus on Obamacare.”
Eh, maybe it’s just me, but I wasn’t shedding any tears over some guy who probably spends his days surfing the internet at the Department of Commerce having to deal with reality most of us face, if only for a few weeks.
Now, that guy has a sweeter deal than he normally has. He can go on a vacation, do whatever he wants, and he gets his normal salary. And he’s non-essential, so no one will really miss him.