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With the federal government barreling toward a shutdown at midnight, Americans who may not have tuned in to the spending fight until now can expect to see a barrage of political messaging coming their way.

Here are the respective pitches that you will hear endlessly: Democrats will make the case that Republicans are in full control of the government and are therefore solely to blame for a shutdown. They will also point out that the GOP has been ramming Donald Trump’s agenda down their throats without ever reaching out to them, and that they never even bothered to try to reach some kind of compromise to keep the government open.

In other words, Republicans’ only “offer” has been to do things their way.

In addition, Democrats can also point to many past statements from GOP leaders that show that they are being very hypocritical because, when the shoe was on the other foot, they acted differently.

Republicans, on the other hand, will argue that Democrats made unreasonable demands. Specifically, they want an extension of Obamacare subsidies that prevent the health insurance premiums of Americans from going up next year. Of course, Trump and other GOP officials don’t put it that way. As they tell it, Democrats want more than $1 trillion to give healthcare to illegal immigrants.

In addition, Republicans can also point to many past statements from Democratic leaders that show that they are being very hypocritical because, when the shoe was on the other foot, they acted differently.

And, to put more pressure on Democrats, the administration will try to make this shutdown as painful as possible.

It is a fascinating dynamic.

In the past, when Republican infighting was the main reason for the annual end-of-year funding chaos, it was generally assumed that the GOP would get the blame.

This time, it is much less clear.

A recent poll indicated that, as of now, slightly more Americans think that Republicans are at fault than Democrats.

While one-third of them blame both parties, 26 percent say Trump and the GOP are more culpable, while only 19 percent feel the same way about congressional Democrats. And 21 percent said they do not have enough information yet to make up their minds.

How these undecideds react, and how the numbers shift, will go a long way toward determining what happens next.

If voters begin to blame Democrats in much larger numbers, it seems likely that they will at least vote for a continuing resolution that reopens the government while the two parties negotiate.

However, if the draconian measures that the Trump administration has promised backfire, or if voters believe Democrats that this is about making their health insurance affordable (and not that of immigrants), then Republicans will become more open to concessions.

So, what does all of that mean?

Well, a lot of Americans have been feeling powerless in the wake of what is going on in their country. This is their chance to do something about it.

Specifically, they can make their voices heard. Polls are one thing, but voters reaching out to congressional offices is another altogether.

These calls and emails are meticulously logged and analyzed… and they do have an effect.

If, for example, a lawmaker of one party is convinced that the other side will get the blame, but then the phone calls and emails they receive are overwhelmingly angry and negative, their commitment to toe the line will waver.

Therefore, Americans should use this opportunity to get involved.

The number of the switchboard of the Capitol is (202) 224-3121; a list of Senate phone numbers can be found here; and you can find your representatives using this website.

With both sides dug in for now, we urge Americans to do their part in ending the stalemate by staying informed, not being misled by propaganda, and making their voices heard.