It's disgusting to watch the Tea Party running things in Washington. And to think it's all about the greed of a few richest Americans! Republicans have ruined my life, and they continue to ruin more people's lives by running the government into the ground and then blaming it on my precious Obama. Please, Republicans, stop lining your own pockets at the expense of the working class!

My family is affected by this shutdown because my Marine husband has been furloughed from not one but two jobs: his VA position with the HAC and his Marine Corps Reserve position. Now I am off to figure out how we are going to pay our bills and feed our children. If this is what sixteen years of military service and Veterans' Affairs representation means to the powers that be in this country, then I am sad for the blind and greedy direction in which we are headed.

My first two of five children got their Head Start at its beginning in the 60s when we lived in Woodside Queens. Social Security and the Veteran's Administration Hospital have kept me going. Let it be known that I totally support Obama and his imperfect but breakthrough Affordable Medical Plan. I hope it morphs into a one-payer plan which is what it is meant to be before it collapses under the attack of the rich and selfish Republicans and their naive and ignorant followers in the Tea Party. All people in and out of all levels of government must demonstrate and speak out. Actions speak louder than words.

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.