Republican extremism has impacted me: My application for fuel assistance may not be considered until the shutdown ends.

I have family, friends and neighbors who, in one way or another, are being affected by this group of narrow-minded politicians. It has had a domino effect that has interrupted the growth of our economy to such an extent that I am fearful about my pending retirement. I've watched the value of my 401K go up and down. I look forward to reaping the benefits of Affordable Health Care and shrinking the "donut hole" but if the Tea Party and Southern Conservatives have their way, I anticipate a hardship once I begin to receive coverage for my medications that I sorely need. The Tea Party scares the life out of me. They seem to be no different than a blossoming dictatorship that does not value the poor, children, minorities and women. They are holding us hostage and they have guns to back themselves.

I am no longer proud to be an American when I see such self-centered hypocritical people taking over our government.

I have a friend who is now dying of cancer. She has never been on welfare, and has worked all of her life, but could never afford the health care afforded to members of Congress. Therefore she was denied and delayed appropriate treatment for her disease, that she would have received were she a member of Congress. I am appalled at the extent to which the Tea Party GOP has gone in their sick attempts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act, especially this government shutdown.

From the blocking of certain key legislation such as the jobs bill, immigration, reduction in the budget, sequester, to this shutdown, Tea Party Republicans have wrecked this country with no solutions, no ideas, and no interest in governing whatsoever! I am sick of their political games and racism!

Republican extremism has effectively made representational government unworkable. Rather than live with prior legislation or enact new legislation, the Republicans are trying to force their own desires on the country-at-large through refusing to allow the government to act at all. Do not give in on any of their demands and make them fully accountable for the results of their selfish actions.

Republican extremism is impacting my ability to meet my financial obligations. Having no raises for three years and then being forced out of work with no back pay is a financial hardship. It is immoral for Congress to shut us down and get paid while they force over 800,000 people to live without wages indefinitely. Disgraceful!

Republican extremism has impacted me in this way: My family is without any income. I have a brand new car loan; I won't even be able to make my first payment. I have my first grandbaby coming at the end of the month. What happens to my insurance?

My fellow federal employees and I would like to continue to work and serve the American people. As a result of the poor leadership from the Tea Party in the U.S House, the government has shutdown and I am in furlough status. A clean budget must be passed immediately before the Tea Party Republicans devastate the economy any further.

Tea party Republicans have held our government hostage for too long! During that time, more than 800,000 government employees have been unable to work, 3,200 children have been locked out of Head Start, and 401 national parks have been closed to the public. We've had enough -- it's time to end the shutdown, raise the debt ceiling and help America move forward.

This is absolutely ridiculous and needs to stop. The majority of Americans agree with the Affordable Care Act and are sick of the lies and antics.

Because of the government shutdown, funding on house loans has stopped but our company depends on this income. We need our sales to continue, for the good of our hometown and our livelihoods.