The dirty little secret in Washington: the looming shutdown isn't an accident.

[IrishAyes]

18. It's the same across the country, anywhere with rednecks

Here in the Midwest, during the worst of the recession, I've had people in this poverty pocket refuse good money to do big jobs around my house, including one giant dead tree removal quoted at $2K - and I'm not paranoid. They told me to my face, with a great air of superiority, that they wouldn't do anything for an Obama supporter. I was literally ordered out of a local store at top volume even though I wasn't wearing Obama gear at the time. Oh well, I had only gone there to suggest to one of the employees (the owners' daughter) that she might want to pay what she owed me rather than face me in small claims court. It's not like it was a place I need or want to shop.

BTW, I damn well got my $ too. The next time I showed up at rush hour and asked the woman in front of God and everybody whether she preferred to pay up or go to court. The owner dad angrily paid me in cash and then threatened to sue ME if I ever darkened his door again. I left laughing. They don't know I once worked as a process server in L.A. where it can really get dangerous. But I do recognize an achilles' heel with ease, and I can generally reach my goal. People don't like their opponent showing up at high noon with the greatest # of witnesses possible. It's the safest and most effective hour for a petitioner to show up.

Yes, I'm a little old lady now. But I haven't forgotten how to have fun.