A friend of mine in Texas wrote this letter to his Representatives yesterday. I asked his permission to post it at my blog.

The President has asked all Americans to contact Congress and ask for a balanced approach. 
As your constituent I ask that you find a compromise like the one the President suggested. 
A compromise means that Republicans and Democrats work *together*, each giving some and taking some, so we can find solutions to common problems.

COMPROMISE IS NOT HAPPENING.  As your constituent, I observe that the Republicans demand concession after concession from Democrats, and when given those concessions then demand even more concessions.  THERE IS NO COMPROMISE HAPPENING.

We are tired of the broken system in Washington. We want a balanced approach to this very important issue. I do not find the threat of default acceptable. I do not find acceptable the GOP approach to only cuts, resting on the backs of working and middle class Americans.  

So now I urge you to act like the adult we sent to Congress and find a compromise. 

If you refuse to compromise, then I request that you accept no pay while the government is in default and that your taxpayer-paid health insurance be allowed to lapse so that you can go purchase your own health insurance for you and your family on the open market, the same way we have to do; and furthermore, I request that you lay off all - and I DO mean ALL - your staff.  I further request that in the case of default, all doors of Congress be locked and barred; that the air conditioning be shut off; that the water to the Congressional restrooms be turned off; that all members of the House and Senate be barred from leaving for any reason whatsoever; and that all members of Congress and Senate be restricted to one meal a day and sequestered in their respective chambers until you do find a compromise.

As your constituent, I have frankly HAD IT with you.  

Thank you,

Mark Carpenter