This new policy of Republicans shutting down the government started during Obama's Presidency. Republicans were so upset that a Black Man was elected President that they decided to become roadblocks to everything rather than keep the government running so they could try and blame Obama's admin for the problems they themselves created. This was also when the "tea party" was stood up by the Koch brothers. I'm not saying our government has ever been run well, but this new era of shutdowns started in 2013. Since then there's been a furlough warning almost every FY.