Current laws dictate that, in the event of a government shutdown, politicians continue to be paid (or will receive back pay), while civil servants do not.
Civil servants work on behalf of all Americans, for less money than they would receive at a comparable job in the private sector.
Politicians are the ones who refuse to negotiate and work together in order to avoid government financial collapse and shutdowns.
As such, the civil servants should not be punished if the politicians cannot do their jobs properly.
The laws should be changed so that politicians will not be paid (or receive back pay) in the event of a government shutdown. Civil servants, however, should continue to be paid (or receive back pay), as the shutdown is not of their doing.