Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin joined U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) for a little bit of face time in front of the World War II Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The three popular figures in the tea party made it clear that the Obama administration is using veterans as pawns in a larger political game.

"Our veterans should be above politics," Cruz said. "It is shameful that the administration is barricading and trying to shutdown the memorials."

He added:

Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) agreed that both sides would reach a deal before the week's end to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling. Speaking on the floor, Senator Reid said he was, "very optimistic that we will reach an agreement that's reasonable in nature this week."

The Kentucky group of independents known as Independent Kentucky has fought for fair representation in the state since 2008. By focusing their efforts on opening the state's primary system, they have made good progress considering the partisan stronghold state Democrats have.

For three years in a row, up until 2012, a semi-open primary bill was introduced in Kentucky legislature, which Independent Kentucky Chairman Michael P.W. Lewis says has been their greatest achievement so far.

The "Independent Truckers of America" have shut down many highways in Washington DC in what has been billed a "Ride For The Constitution." Part of their message is to tear down the barricades on the veterans memorial.

From their website:

A new party is forming in South Carolina to give voters an alternative option at the ballot box as voters continue to express frustration over the hyper-partisanship in Washington.

From The State:

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The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is hosting an interactive town hall today, Tuesday, October 15 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm EST,  to discuss issues related to electoral reform.

The United States is loosening controls over military exports, in a shift that former U.S. officials and human rights advocates say could increase the flow of American-made military parts to the world's conflicts and make it harder to enforce arms sanctions.

On Sunday, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial written by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. In it, the Democrat from California said the controversial surveillance programs of the NSA and other agencies in the United States intelligence community are necessary in the fight against al-Qaeda and terrorist cells around the world.

From the op-ed:

House Resolution 368 would have taken away the privilege of any member of the House to call up the Senate Bill to open the government, thereby preventing any Democrat OR Republican from offering a resolution that would open the government. Instead, the right would be granted exclusively to the Republican leader or his designee.

WATCH: Rep. Chris Van Hollen Confronts the Chairman

http://youtu.be/0Jd-iaYLO1A