Debt Ceiling Sound-Off: People React To Ongoing Negotiations (VIDEO)

Last week, as part of a HuffPost and Patch collaboration, dozens of local Patch editors went out to talk to their neighbors about the debt ceiling. The goal: find out if normal Americans are worried about the US defaulting on its debts. And if so, who is to blame?

Some locals dug in. But there were signs of shifting allegiances, too. As Pennsylvania Christine Heckman said, “I’m a Republican, and the Democrats are right on with this one.”

The video above is just a tease of the deeper reporting. Click below to hear more from any of the men and women featured.

• Walter Palmer, Gross Pointe, Mich.: "This is a middle class neighborhood … It’s going to affect everyone in Grosse Pointe."
• Lydia Gray, White Marsh, Md.:
"The hot dog entrepreneur grilling her way out of the downturn said “Large business owners … will be affected first."
• Frank Casella, Brewster, N.Y.:
"Oh, they’ll pass it. Because they’re just playing games."
• Penny Boles, St. Clair Shores, Mich.:
“I’m not worried about the debt ceiling. I’m worried about violence among classes of people.”
• John Mayo, Iowa City, Iowa:
"Am I pleased with the status quo? I’m not. But it’s where we have to work from."
• David DeAngelo, Teaneck, N.J.:
"It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. Financial markets will react in a very violent and negative fashion."
• Robert Rosa, Freeport, N.Y.:
"Democrat/Republican? Elite’s elite."
• Christine Heckman, Springfield, Pa.:
"You have to raise taxes and cut spending. You have to do both."
• Andy Cammisa, Los Altos, Calif.:
"Anybody who’s making good money … is going to have to pay more taxes.""
• Stan Hunkovic, Perry Hall, Md.:
"I would not go out and get another Visa card to get even more debt."
• Damian Miles, N.Y.:
"We’ve got to get back to the Constitution, the original drama."