En route from San Diego to Washington, D.C., I nearly jumped out of my airplane seat reading Max Blumenthal’s book “Republican Gomorrah” about the demise of the Republican Party. His book was written in 2010 but remains good background material to explain the present circus we are witnessing as the remnants of the Republican Party attempt to choose a viable candidate to run for President.

Although she was born at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, Ebony Burnett Aldridge was raised in the South -- in Millbrook, Alabama. The 30-year old systems engineer is a small business owner with a passion for social justice and giving back to her community.

Burnett, who moved back to San Diego five years ago, has been with her wife Krissy for six years. The couple celebrated their anniversary on Valentine's Day.

What organization(s) do you volunteer for, and why?

SAN DIEGO -- As a perk for supporters of FilmOut San Diego a 7-day guest pass to FIT Athletic Club is being offered.

FIT is downtown San Diego's premier athletic club, featuring a wide variety of workout equipment, classes, and amenities in an upscale environment. The club also includes a roof-top swimming pool, lounge area, and a view of Petco Park.

Those who have not visited the club before are welcome to activate the guest pass, but must do so by March 22.

Are they bluffing? Or could Washington politicians really torpedo the economy by refusing to raise the nation's borrowing limit?

The conventional wisdom is that the debt-ceiling drama is mostly political posturing. Once they've made their point, the thinking goes, Republicans and Democrats arguing over how to rein in out-of-control government spending would reach some kind of agreement, raise the federal debt ceiling, and allow the government to keep functioning normally.

But businesses and investors are starting to worry.