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A kindergartener explains the debt ceiling

Ella has a great new way for us all to understand what the debt ceiling actually is!

As the government shutdown continues with only two days until the debt ceiling, GOP approval ratings are sinking.

A new ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 74% of Americans disapprove of the way the GOP is handling debt negotiations with only 61% finding fault with Democrats.  53% blame President Obama.

But what exactly is the debt ceiling? Political Playground star, Ella, compares it to your pizza bill.  If you order something, you have to pay for it.  "It's not good for the country and we have to stop this,” Ella explains. “Otherwise the government will shut down totally and they won’t be able to open it.  They don’t have enough security or anything.”

Be sure to check out Ella’s advice to Washington, and let us know your thoughts on how the government can reach a deal in our new msnbc Cyclists community space.