On "The Situation Room" today, we asked viewers the following questions, and here are some of our favorite responses that we didn't get to read on air:

Why should convicted lawmakers continue to receive their taxpayer-funded pensions?

Why not allow them their pensions? The only difference between them and the rest of Congress is they got caught.
Ralph, Rossville, Georgia

They should not continue to get their pensions. In my state, convicted felons can't even vote. Most of these guys are wealthy before they run for office and if they need more money they can be given a job that pays them to mop floors while in jail.
Vonzell, North Beach, Maryland

Prison cigarettes are expensive! Just imagine how much they will cost 20 years from now. They are gonna need that money.
Andy, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Should Iraq's oil industry be opened to foreign oil companies?

Yes, it would help Iraq stabilize their economy thus relieving U.S. support.
Carole, Charleston, South Carolina

Americans should take the oil for 'helping' them get rid of their "evil dictator." Pay day!
F.

If it means some of the revenue goes in to our pockets, why not open it up! We've lost over 3,000 armed forces for this oil. It's time we got something back!
Joy, North Carolina

Foreign oil companies moving into Iraq? Who's going to pay for their protection? How much higher will the cost of gas go then? Your question brings up many more questions that must be answered before your question can be answered.
Jerry, Hamburg, New York

What does it mean that Americans haven't been asked to pay higher taxes during wartime?

Nothing like a hefty war tax to make people interested in where the money goes - not quite the climate for a geopolitical shell game. Keeping people distracted, divided, and fearful of losing their jobs is much more effective.
Jacqueline, Chicago, Illinois

It means the top 1 or 2 percent of Americans can continue to build astronomical bank accounts, while we peons struggle to get by. But more importantly, the bill gets put on the shoulders of our kids and grandkids and generations beyond. Shameful to the nth degree.
Kevin, Wilmington, Vermont

It is very simple. The president thinks that we are all simpletons and don't understand that we will pay the piper sometime. He is figuring that the next president will be a Democrat, that will make the tough decisions to balance the budget and in 2012 the Republicans can run again on a lower tax platform after the next president cleans up his mess!
Bob, Brooklyn, New York

The president and GOP are unpopular enough. Higher taxes would surely cook their goose.
Angela, Sulfur Springs, Texas