My investment account that I left my retirement funds in with FRS has lost thousands of dollars and I am afraid that it will not recoup the loss quickly enough. I live on Social Security, and as the spouse of a deceased military retiree, I also have a monthly check. These three things were to keep me going. I also have depended on the MacDill AFB Commissary to try to save on food and now it's closed.

Republican extremism affects all Americans--many directly--but all in the sense that it demoralizes people and makes them feel less secure. It also jeopardizes our political standing as a nation. What terrorist group wouldn't love to have that kind of impact on their enemy! Hundreds of millions of dollars a day? Are these Tea Party Republicans terrorists?

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.

Our district, CA-52, as you know, is strongly built around the economy associated with MCAS Miramar. The shutdown has had a significant affect on all of those directly associated with the base, whether civilian or uniformed. However, the impact upon local businesses, including my partner's employer, magnifies its effect. If the shutdown persists, it is going to have the effect of putting many of the smaller businesses, already hurt by the effects of the sequester, out of business.

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.

We are a small architecture and preservation business now unable to direct our clients and contractors to the Preservation Briefs on the National Park Service's website for preservation info. This is public info paid for by the taxpayers to be used to advance community improvements and reinvestment. Since Congress is holding the federal budget hostage, projects and investment are now at risk of being lost. This is reviving the Great Recession.

A friend of mine, whose wife has just completed treatment from cancer, was furloughed from his job. As a result, there has been added stress to his family at a time when they need security. Please do the right thing.

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.

I've had to pay for groceries for neighbors who can no longer get food stamps.

Maine's clean water is our most valuable asset. Our clean rivers, lakes, and groundwater support our health, our outdoor way of life, and our fishing, guiding, and recreation jobs. Last year, lawmakers rewrote Maine's sulfide mining laws potentially paving the way for new mines across the state. The Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) is accepting comments on the rules through October 28th. We must let them know that Maine people find it unacceptable to sacrifice our clean water and that mine companies must be responsible for paying ALL clean-up costs. Please sign this petition to add your voice today! We will deliver the petition with our comments to the BEP.

Shutting down the government is bad enough. As we roll toward a debt default because some Republicans want to win with terrorist tactics what they cannot win at the ballot box, it is time to start calling them out. Members of Congress take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the U.S., and to faithfully discharge the duties of their office. The Republicans impeached Bill Clinton for having consensual sex. It's time that the Republicans supporting this shutdown be told plainly that shutting down the government and defaulting on our national debt is not fulfilling their oath of office and that the sane members of Congress will seek to bring impeachment proceedings against them if they don't relinquish the gun that they have at America's temple. The Democrats have got to stop being doormats for the Republican bullying tactics and realize that the only way to stop a bully is to call their bluff and teach them a lesson so painful that they will think twice. For 200 years, the only issue serious enough to divide the country like this was slavery, and it tore the country in two. The Republicans are taking us right down the road to being a third-world country. Maybe that's OK with Rand Paul and Ted Cruz--it is not OK with me. It is no longer enough to get a clean CR. We need to impeach the Congressmen and women that supported this idea of legislating by hostage. Our system of republican government requires that the majority and minority compromise and that can only happen within the bounds of parliamentary procedure. When one side thinks it no longer applies to them, they are no longer governing--they are fomenting revolution--and no one, Republican or Democrat should stand for it. It is worth noting that when the Republicans had the White House, the Democrats never played these games. Only one party believes it has a monopoly on truth, justice and the American way--and it's always the ones who proclaim their piety and patriotism for whom you have to watch out.

The fish I buy from my local co-op comes from a cooperative which also sells to the restaurant at Acadia National Park. Since the park is closed, the fish is not being delivered. I never imagined the shutdown would affect my grocery shopping! I am incredibly offended at how the Tea Party faction is bullying Congress and the nation. Suddenly I feel more hostage than citizen.