"Shutdown drags on: 'It's taken far too long' " -Madison Russell

This author of the original article is Matt Smith. He posted this to CNN's website in the Politics section, at 12:04 PM.

  The government shut down has gone on for thirteen days now. Republicans and Democrats are not budging, and any sign of agreement is not present. Both sides are being stubborn, and will not budge on certain terms. President Obama is firm in what he will not budge on, as well as the Republicans against him.

  It seems as if some representatives are throwing in ideas that are not well thought out, planned, or seasoned to fit the country's needs currently. Even other reps from the same party as these proposals have come out of don't agree with their colleagues' ideas: "While Democrats flat out rejected Boehner's proposal, even some Republicans didn't like it." 

  The longer the government shutdown continues, the worse the world economy will be affected. When the United States' economy is weakened, so are other countries' around the world. The U.S. has a substantial impact on other economies. 

  

  In a way, the stubbornness of both sides is a positive thing. It shows that America doesn't have a weak government (argument-wise, anyway), and that the prevailing side will be strong. Hopefully, Obama and the Democrats pull out of this gutter strong and ready to counter opposition (as well as work to find compromise). The Republicans should also come out of this ready to compromise and re-evaluate their tactics to get what they want.

  At this point, it seems as though a great portion of the time, the two parties fight only because they are of different parties. Although Obamacare appears to be very beneficial to the public and is predicted to have a positive impact on the country's health system, a good portion of Republicans are completely against it. Political parties should not be so strong that they counter each other only because they are not alike. 

  Hopefully, they come up with a compromise. Until then, many families affected by the lack of pay checks from the federal government are not getting the income they are used to and need. Until the government is opened again, at least kids in schools across the country will get free breakfast, and lunch if they did not already. We'll all watch along the sidelines, waiting for a solution. At least we get Frosted Mini Wheats as compensation.