since this thread is all about bitching about obama and the GOP, i didn't really read any of what y'all posted but i do have a solution. a final solution, if you will. put every member of the legislative branch as well as the executive branch in a locked water tight room that is slowly filling with water and don't let them out until they figure out a way to work together. if they can't find common ground, water fills the room, they all die and we have elections and try again.
why the fuck were they getting paid when the government was shut down? and why the fuck do we extremely wealthy shit bags in office? in order to achieve better representation of the public, the representatives need to reflect the public. in 2011 the average net worth of a house rep was almost $7 million, the average senator was worth about $11 million. the average american age 35-44 is worth about $51K. we need to have a cap on net worth of out representatives. we do not need to pay those assholes $175K a year either.
obamacare and right-wing left-wing politics are all just a distraction. they are all working towards their own personal goals and making us pay for it. if the president and congress can force our troops into life threatening situations, then it's only fair that they should face similar consequences. congress still would have it better than out troops, because their life would be guaranteed so long as they do their job. that's a luxury not given to our troops (and they make about 150 times less than your average house rep). there is no doubt in my mind that if their life was on the line, they would figure out a way to work together.