The democratic issue of letting the people have their voice in the House of Representatives is not being articulated or respected. The current leadership of the House is preventing a vote by the full House on the issue. This representation of ALL of the people is an issue fundamental to American way of government, and yet this issue of democracy is not being well-presented by the current protagonists. This is not a totalitarian government. Let the people speak.

Republican extremism has impacted me in this way: Trying to stop or delay the Affordable Care Act will keep my family from buying health insurance."

I believe that if we run into the debt limit impasse and fail to deal with it, this could lead to a major recession with reverberations throughout the world, such as happened in 2008-2009. At that time, the real estate market totally stagnated, jobs were lost, and home mortgages were foreclosed in large numbers. There is such a thing as the "Full Faith and Credit of the United States of America", and when the U.S. government stalls out on the simple issue of paying their bills, this can happen.

When Governor Pataki cut income taxes for the richest New Yorkers in 1995, his tax cuts led to multibillion dollar budget deficits, poor investment in our state's schools and infrastructure, and a stagnant middle class. His specialty is clearly in wrongheaded tax cuts for the wealthy. So it's a mystery why Governor Cuomo would ask former Republican Gov. George Pataki to lead a commission to cut $3 billion in taxes. All he knows how to do is to help out the top 1%, who have already done perfectly fine, while neglecting the needs of our families and children across the state. Expanding universal pre-K, building our infrastructure, and tackling record income inequality all deserve our attention ahead of giving more to those who have enough. Let's save that money and invest in our people and values.

As someone who was injured on the job almost 18 years ago, I have not been able to get medical insurance because of my pre-existing condition. My spine and knees are literally deteriorating due to arthritis and I live in fear of the day when my knees blow out or I bend over to pick something up and the disc in my back bulges, sending me to the emergency room for treatment I can't afford. I live in pain every day and can't afford medication to make it tolerable. But apparently, Republicans have decided that people like me don't deserve affordable health care. Even my own Governor has decided to turn his back on me by denying Louisiana citizens the access to healthcare that other people have. Canada is looking better all the time.

I am a widow living on widow's benefits from the VA and I have no other income. My husband fought hard for his country. If this shutdown does not end soon, I fear for the economy, rent paying, etc.

Republican extremism has impacted my family. Because of the cutbacks, my son won't be able to get into Head Start this year. It has hurt me deeply because he was looking forward to making new friends. Also, one of my friends, who is a recently single mother, won't have any more money to feed her baby formula. Right now she's living with her parents and she's worried her benefits will be impacted.

Congress impedes American growth and development when playing uncooperative games. They should suffer as much as the rest of the citizenry when they do these things to stop our collective progress. And before even contemplating these stupid games, Congress should provide a dialogue (hearings +) with the citizenry for at least two years before trying to impede our collective needs through harming the economy.

This is a matter of grave concern. House Republicans are willing to risk delaying new Social Security benefits and student loans, military pay and other government services – all in the name of re-fighting a battle they lost three years ago. Rep. Sinema should not appease right-wing extremists.

We, the people of the United States of America are sick and tired of the way the politicians are running our country. We solemnly swear we will not vote for any incumbent politician in The entire US Senate no matter what party they represent. They have all proven they are incompetent and care only about power and politics. Let's fire them all! It's time they start listening to the people they pretend to serve!

Republican extremism has impacted me in this way: A relative was working on Colorado cleanup and funds are being frozen

The shutdown led me to call Congressman Bucshon's office twice. Both times, the person answering the phone listened to what I had to say, tried to give me their spin on events, and when I said I still did not support the shutdown, they hung up on me. At least the second time, the person did take my name. All I wanted to do was give Mr. Bucshon my opinion, as a voter in his district. He is supposed to be my representative in Congress, and he either hasn't instructed his staff to handle calls better, or he doesn't care what the people he is supposed to represent think. While the shutdown hasn't affected me directly, it affects all of us in some way. I'm tired of not being represented in Congress. A shutdown should NEVER be an option.