[noiseman]

Most politicians and nearly all of the general public just don't seem to get the magnitude of the problem. Quibbling over whether we freeze the federal budget at 2008 levels or 2006 levels is ridiculous when in reality we need to be eliminating entire departments (Education, Energy, and most if not all of the EPA for a start).

The Tea Party movement that propelled Republicans to power in 2010 was primarily based upon a recognition of the need to return the federal government to its Constitutionally-mandated "box." If we're going to move even modestly toward that goal, we're going to have to make cuts that even most Republicans seem to believe are unthinkable. If we can't make these decisions now, in the depths of the worst financial crisis of most of our lifetimes, when will we?

[Wolfie]

We won’t. The people in charge have a plan: Be gone with their wealth before it all comes down.

[DuncanWaring]

Most politicians and nearly all of the general public just don't seem to get the magnitude of the problem.

I remember early in The Won's term, he made a big deal about having Cabinet members "save $100 million".

Not mentioning that saving $100 million on a $3.5 trillion budget is the equivalent of taking 0.001 inch off a yardstick.

[familyop]

"...when in reality we need to be eliminating entire departments (Education, Energy, and most if not all of the EPA for a start)."

But first, anti-family, feminist programs (HHS: Health and Human Services).