The great shutdown of 2013 finally ended last week, with Congress voting to raise the debt ceiling and prevent the federal government from defaulting on obligations to pay bills it had already incurred. During the 16 days the shutdown dragged on, we saw a fascinating role reversal in how the two major parties conducted themselves. Democrats held firm and refused to vote for any legislation that would only reopen the government if the president agreed to repeal or defund the Affordable Care Act.