Republican extremism has impacted me because I lost faith, seeing how Republicans react to a program that was enacted by law.

A dear friend's husband who works for the park service is on indefinite leave. She works full-time, but does not make enough money to support both of them financially for the long term. They have no idea when he will draw another paycheck. This could mean economic ruin for them in a short time as we live in one of the most expensive cities in the country. Another dear friend works for the IRS and has no way of knowing whether he will be able to pay rent and cover bills. He is using savings that should be used for real emergencies, not ones fabricated by the privileged members of Congress. Why should he have to dip into his emergency funds for basic survival? You in Congress are not at all impacted by this economically. Most of you are independently wealthy and your seat merely affords you more power. For most--if not all of you--your salary is just additional income. For shame! A friend who is a single mother cannot get her WIC benefits. She also relies on Head Start for daycare. She works very hard. Her daughter is happy, healthy and well-adjusted. But this little bit of assistance helps to subsidize what the absent father would contribute. She may have to get a second job but she has no idea who is going to take care of her child while she's working it. This is disgusting!

The government needs to work for all the people, not just the 1%, who I am not against. Not all 1%s are greedy. The wealthy of this country need the middle class to buy their goods. Your party just says no. The House hasn't produced any positive legislation. Please move forward, not backward!

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.

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.