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.

Dear Senator Shimkus: You represent the poorest counties in the state of Illinois. Do you have any idea of the thousands without health care, no child care, not enough food, and the homeless? Get out of your Koch brothers comfort zone and really tour the very poor parts of the state that you represent.

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.

My husband is a disabled Vietnam veteran. After working as a nurse for 33 years, I was injured, with resulting nerve damage to my dominant hand, and am no longer able to work. Our entire income will be affected by the shutdown if it does not end soon.

My brother is furloughed and he is the sole provider for his family of five. Please stop this crazy political ploy and do the right thing for our country by getting my brother back to work!

Republican extremism has convinced me that those who vote in sympathy with them have no concerns for most of their constituents at home. Thank goodness that Social Security has not been impacted or I would be in desperate straits. As a retired citizen who has devoted over sixty years to our nation's economy, I deplore the actions of an extreme minority and the results facing others.

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

My father is an 82 year old veteran. He is living independently and has minor health problems that are addressed at his local Veterans' hospital. He is distraught that he may have to lose his independence by moving in with his children even though he is very capable to take care of himself. Also, his medical care may be jeopardized by these cuts. It is disgusting that he and hundreds of thousands of men and women are going through this because of just a few uncaring, mean-spirited Republican House members. The government needs to be reopened NOW. Please, Rep. Dingell, do your best to talk individually to these nay-sayers. We trust that you are for the people not special interests.

I have not really been personally impacted in a direct manner, but am aware of many who have. Of course, behind the scenes, many things are starting to go wrong, like enforcement of environmental and health regulations. Currently, I noticed that I cannot view government web pages such as the Astronomy Picture of the Day. I am one of the lucky ones so far.