Readers' opinions on who is responsible for the current shutdown of the federal government may differ, but they do share one sentiment: they're upset.
While most prepare to hunker down to weather the potential financial hardships that could result from the bi-partisan stalemate in Washington D.C., individuals in local communities offer criticism of their elected leaders.
"We elect and pay you to figure these things out. Your stupidity is ruining everything, and I didn't elect you to act like children; get it together!" one Bristow woman wrote.
Others said they will take their dissatisfaction to the polls with them next time their U.S. representatives are up for re-election.
"They all need to be fired; just do your job and remember us people who depend on our benefit checks each month," wrote a woman from Manassas. "I will not vote for any of you again."
Ultimately, residents hope that both sides will sit together and work out their differences for the welfare of the American people.
"Tell them that even preschoolers learn how to compromise," Ricardo Padilla of Bristow said.
While the shutdown has gone on for days now, people complain on social media of not being about to visit monuments.
However, it is the people out of work who are the most affected, left in limbo.Vanessa Bauer said her family has been hard hit by the government shutdown.
"We are a middle class family who works hard, volunteers in our community and now we face not being able to pay our bills, not because we lost our jobs, not because we mismanaged our funds, but because you (Congress) cannot compromise. What are we suppose to do?" she asked.
Meanwhile, one Bristow Beat reader complained that Congressmen and Congresswomen were still being paid.
"Grow up," Jan Jeffreys wrote. "You shouldn't be getting paid if you can't do your job."
However, one reader, whose Facebook page says he is from from Iowa, wrote the Republicans need to continue to hold their ground.
"Stay the course. Force the Dems to compromise," he said.
That sparked a response from Andrew Abdale who came to the Democrats' defense.
“Boehner and the House GOP started this by allowing a CR with ridiculous strings attached,” Abdale wrote. “Boehner has the power to end it by allowing a vote on what should have been passed in the first place - a clean CR. Obamacare is law. It's legal. Obama was re-elected. Let's move on for the common good of the country, shall we?”
However, most readers are blaming both Republicans and Democrats for this legislative quagmire.
Daniel McLaughlin said Congressmen and Congresswomen should have their retirement funds tied to Social Security and 401Ks like the rest of us. He asked, "How do you sleep at night?" and said if this is the best form of government the United States can produce through its current democracy.
One Warrenton woman said she fears our Congressional leaders are more interested in grandstanding than governing, saying, "Clearly they need attention."
Bauer reminds them what she believes is really important. In the words of her children, she said, "Please let Daddy work!"
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