[CapnJack]

Not really a question of what the Republicans got out of the deal, the question is what America lost. That is (in my opinion) a chance to seriously take the first steps to deal with the disaster that is looming on the horizon.

The 2012 budget fight has not even begun yet, but it will be a repeat (times 10) and the Republicans will get virtually nothing. Ryan's plan is effectively dead.

Best thing that could happen now is if the gov’t steps on the gas peddle to drive this country into complete bankruptcy ... a complete financial collapse which will take decades to get out of.

Maybe future generations will look back and make sure this never happens again.

[Starboard]

“Best thing that could happen now is if the gov’t steps on the gas peddle to drive this country into complete bankruptcy ... a complete financial collapse which will take decades to get out of. Maybe future generations will look back and make sure this never happens again.”

I’ve thought the same thing myself. Unfortunately, all the logic in the world does not seem to work; it usually takes a major life altering event to wake people up. We are not far away from that event IMO.