WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ...

"We as taxpayers complain a lot. But most of the time, we don't really even understand what our money actually buys. If taxpayers FEEL the pain, maybe they wouldn't be so quiet about issues, or better yet, maybe they (we) wouldn't be so quick to think that it's OK for our elected officials to not negotiate."

KITTY JABLONSKI, BLAINE

"The government shutdown will have absolutely no effect on my lifestyle or my family's. I am amazed at how many unessential employees we have working for our government. Let's start reducing the budget by cutting the number of unessential government employees."

SCOTT GOULD

"My fiancé works for the [Pollution Control Agency]. We are supposed to close on our house a month from today, and if he's laid off that could potentially affect our financing. Not that one couple buying one house makes a difference in the housing market, but talk about another macroeconomic issue that would be better off if the government would just decide on a budget already. I'm disgusted by them all, both political parties."

EMILY FLYNN, MINNEAPOLIS

"This is my rent money. My husband's meager wages and my part-time job cover gas money, food, medications, phone bill and electric and cooking gas. ... This is stupid and is costing more money than if they would settle."

"Last night on the way home from work, I saw all the wayside rest [areas] shut down. ... I think everyone that needs to use the restroom this weekend should go to the governor's house."

GARY EDSTROM, GLENVILLE

"The Minnesota medical boards who license all medical professionals have been ordered to be shuttered under the governor's plan. ... Be careful to not need medical care in the coming weeks (and maybe months), you may be surprised that the kindly doctor you always see, who knows your medical history and cares about you simply can't come to work."

KIRSTY SMITH, BUFFALO

"Best thing that ever happened to our government. Hopefully we can make it permanent and laid-off workers can find new jobs. We can't just create money out of thin air."

"My son has Down syndrome, and he will lose his state-funded job at Functional Industries, which is out in Buffalo, Minn. We were sent a letter from his state-funded house but as of now, he will still be able to live there. Totally innocent victim."

CAROLYN BAUER, ALBERTVILLE

"Today I retired from the state after 23 years of service and realizing the budget cuts of the Legislature would probably lead me to lose my job due to layoff. ... We have to turn things around before we have cascading failures. I am grateful to the citizens of this great state for my education and the opportunities I had. I want the same opportunities for my children."