All incumbents in the Congress are responsible for the budget/debt ceiling crisis, and it currently seems that the American people, their employer, has absolutely no leverage in this matter. They need to be held accountable, and the only way to do so is to pledge to vote them out of office if they fail to resolve these crises in the near future.

After applying for a position as a Police Dispatcher, I was informed that I was disqualified due to having tattoos that would be visible in a short sleeved uniform. I consider myself more than qualified for the position based on my experience and abilities. My tattoos should not stop me from saving lives and helping protect people.

This petition has been updated and moved! Please sign new petition at http://tinyurl.com/soutbaysol

Republican extremism has impacted me. I have been unemployed for over a year, without any health insurance. There are no jobs available for me, and the ones I apply for are only offering part time jobs for the applicants they do hire.

Monday night, nine Congressional Democrats showed solidarity -- with John Boehner. They sided with Boehner and the Tea Party Republicans in their attempt to delay the Affordable Care Act -- which of course they can't actually do. But what they can do -- and did -- was shut down the government. We want better government, not no government at all. Tell these nine Representatives that they've made a big mistake. Join us in telling Reps. Kyrsten Sinema, Ron Barber, John Barrow, Steven Horsford, Dan Maffei, Sean Patrick Maloney, Jim Matheson, Mike McIntyre and Raul Ruiz that it's wrong to side with the Tea Party bullies trying to stop Obamacare. The government shutdown has already closed HeadStart programs, furloughed workers and even closed medical trials for young cancer patients. And that's just the beginning -- the longer this shutdown continues, the worse it will get, for all of us. Politicians on Capitol Hill need to remember they work for us. Tell these nine Democrats that we didn't send them to Washington, DC to vote with the Tea Party to shut down the government. Please add your name and we'll deliver the petition to these nine members of Congress.

Republican extremism has impacted me: I am unable to apply for my Social Security benefits and I've been waiting since my birthday in February. My son was laid off in August and although he qualifies for unemployment, has not received any benefits to date 10/5/13, 5 weeks!

There is no trust in Idaho in how the Republicans run this state. Children starve, there's no medical care for poor people. Nothing but thugs in our state, taking from families that are poor!

Republican extremism has impacted me in this way:

I am now living in fear because of the Tea Party and extreme radical Republicans. I have worked my whole life and never once have I received help from a social program or took a benefit from unemployment insurance! Now I am approaching the age when one thinks of retirement. You folks do not care about people and how your rash behavior affects us! Stop being the party of NO and learn to compromise. The Affordable Care Act was passed and survived several of your attempts to repeal. Get over yourself and think of our country and the people you serve! Open our government and pay the bills of our country. Stop the nonsense! Serve the people!

Republican extremism has impacted me because national parks and recreation areas are shut down, and that directly impacted my recent vacation. Congress has cut off critical benefits to the needy while they have no plans to cut their own salaries or that of their staff.

Republican extremism has impacted me. I am unable to assist my son while he attends college. Unable to assist my sister-in-law with her basic needs because she is unable to obtain a job paying what she needs to survive. Unable to contribute to the household because my husband's job does not pay enough.

The welfare of our country and its citizens should be the top priority of our elected officials. It is ridiculous that elected officials can make such rash decisions that have an enormous impact on the income/economy of the America people, while avoiding any effects themselves.