Justin Spencer

Guess there wasn't enough prayer to keep him from getting re elected.

I would personally like to thank congress and the Obama administration for shutting down the government. Closing rivers closer to the major metropolitan areas has forced them my direction where they have had a chance to see my campground and beautiful river. Keep up the good work at least until after the leaves fall off the trees. Sincerely Supporter of all Washington lawmakers Justin Spencer

You know a recall isn't powerful enough to make them act, I will not compromise on the hanging provision, it is like capital punishment for terrorism.

I like it, just put failure to approve a balanced budget by May 1 will result in hanging and I'm behind it 100%.

Glad they have furloughed some military, and I agree we have to keep our essential defenses in place, but our military technology means we don.t need 100,000 boots on the ground to protect us on a daily basis, call them back if needed. I too think this has been a good eye opener, but it will be business as usual when they get back to it, because for the politicians it will still be all about the Benjamins. And Larson, I doubt even a single tea party member would agree with you on needing nothing from the government but the military.

That would be great. What would you put in the 28th, just a balanced budget amendment or more. I think it would have to say the penalty for not getting a budget done on time is death for everyone in congress, even so I bet every few years there would be a mass hanging on capital hill, a man can dream can't he?

If we want to be serious about balancing the budget, why does the military get a pass? Just because they have a very important job doesn't mean they operate efficiently. I realize we can't shut it down, but we could sure cut it way back while the government is shut down. Put all non-essential stateside soldiers on leave and stop cherry picking programs to ignore. Everything, including entitlements, the military, retirement age, etc. needs to be discussed.

Good start!

Complete idiots from top to bottom, I have lost every ounce of respect for every single politician in DC, even if they are good they are guilty by association at this point.

I guess the checks and balances are working, I disagree with how it is being done but it is within their right to do so. I guess time will tell where pubic opinion stands on who's to blame and maybe the power will shift. Throughout history one party has often controlled congress, and another the Presidency, but now when that happens nothing gets done. When one party controls both they seem to mess up, regardless of which side is in power, both sides need to learn to compromise or our once successful capalistic society will continue to degrade.

The first year it is $95, goes up each year after, which I am fine with because I shouldn't have to pay for freeloaders health care. Democrats are more willing to compromise such as agreeing to 900 billion in cuts in order to get the debt ceiling raised last time. Believe me, I'm not giving either side a pass on this one, but I'm glad the dems didn't allow the republicans to steam roll them on this one issue. One law should not shut down the whole government period.

I will agree with that, I never understood why it is so hard to be fired from a federal job, it is a good place to coast along if you have no desire for advancement. I have worked for several state agencies and have been amazed at how little I had to do to equal the work of the person I replaced.

The world lacks compassion.

Wow, so you are thanking him for taking food off your table, a little confusing, and it doesn't seem like you respect him to me.

Disrespecting government workers you don't even know is as childish as the lawmakers are being. At least they are keeping the ditch fish fed at the hatcheries.

We all know a delay won't do anything, they've had time to try to work on it but instead have worked to try and get it repealed over and over while telling the public how awful it is. Maybe once the law is enacted they will quit trying to repeal and try to improve. I have run out of patience with putting everything off until later. If we all procrastinated like congress nothing would function. I'm sorry about your situation Scott, you are who I feel the worst for. Good hardworking people who take pride in what they do. Keep up the good work, and ignore those who don't know the difference between the boobs in Washington, and the hard working people that keep our much needed government running.

Normally this is the point where the democrats give in to keep the country from spiraling downward. I for one am glad they are finally standing up for themselves instead of caving to republican pressure. I am not on board 100% with obamacare, but feel this should not have anything to do with passing a budget or the debt ceiling. I too think that Obama has shown he is a horrible leader who has not done much to help the matter, but I really think he has given up on his opposition ever being willing to truly work with him, and not looking to be re-elected he can do what he thinks is best without worrying about losing his job. If people choose to not participate in new health care program and instead rely on the American public to pay their medical bills in the event of a catastrophic illness, then just pay your $95 tax in 2014 and go about your life. There is no reason to postpone the law any longer, congress should spend their time improving it so that it will work better for everyone, not voting over and over again to repeal it.

Panfisher, sorry you work for a bunch of boobs. Hope you get back to work soon. Good luck with those crappie.

Full disclosure, I read most of these books while I'm on the lawnmower so they are being read to me. I think many of these classics are much easier to listen to than to read, and don't know if I would have finished them in book form. I promise you I would not have stuck with Moby Dick so long. Thinking about trying Absalom, Absalom which was required reading for me in high school, and I didn't even try to understand it. Anyone read this?

I think the micromanagement dealing with each district's constituents is what has hamstrung the government, the country has become so complicated that to keep each small group of voters happy the ability of the government to fuction as a whole has been deminished. We all need to be represented, but the way things are now members of the house care more about their re election than the function of the government as a whole, it is a tough problem to fix, because term limits probably would diminish the direct influence of individual constituents.

Finished ”InColdBlood”, well told horrific story. Finished Robinson Crusoe, enjoyed it very much. Reading Moby Dick, man it's long.

Agree 100%, 1, four year term for all offices including president.

Good point, guess that means we probably won't be voting.

Good job. Great river, great guide.

I can't remember if this is priveledged info or not, but lets just say they are out there, how they are doing remains to be seen.