On Independence Mall, tourists stood in awe of the way the government was formed, even as they lamented the irony of where it may yet be headed.
"We've been through this site, and through the constitutional museum up there and they talked all about compromise that they did in the 1780's," said Harry Farenbacher. "They've got to compromise now and come up with adult decisions, and they just haven't been able to do that."
With the Friday deadline to reach a budget agreement fast approaching, the President and Republican leaders remain far apart.
The White House claiming their efforts at compromise are being met by Republican rejection, for purely political purposes.
"Now after weeks of negotiation, we've now agreed to cut as much spending as the Republicans in Congress originally asked for. I've got some Democrats mad at me," the President said Wednesday during his visit to Pennsylvania.
The president's latest remarks came at a Town Hall meeting in Fairless Hills, Bucks County, today where he detailed the ripple effect of a government shut down; no doubt dealing the recovering economy a significant setback.
"I do not want to see politics stand in the way of America's progress."
If the shutdown happens, National Parks, like here in Philadelphia, would be closed, paychecks to troops would stop coming, and tax returns due April 15th would not be processed. Millions of mortgages wouldn't get approval, and loans to small businesses would not come.
"And I don't think they take any of that into consideration," said Roseanne Sullivan-Farenbacher. "I think it's all posturing and staking out their own territory."
If there is not an agreement by Thursday, House Republicans will pass legislation to fund the government for one more week; a move the President, citing politics, has already ruled out.
If the House passes that extender, Senate Democrats must then decide whether to act.
They have already called that idea a "non starter", urging compromise over any delay.
