[Girlene]

Would a majority in the House approve of legislation including potential tax increases? I hope not.

What if the Joint Select Committee recommends it? I'm still trying to understand this proposal, but it seems if they DO recommend tax increases and Congress does not approve it before Christmas, defense and Medicare will be cut. Defense will be hit hard according to some folks.

I don't understand why Repubs would sign up for something like this now. If this is true, a few people on this JSCommittee will hold immense power over spending/taxes.

[MNJohnnie]

ook we are broke. The only way this is every going to be solved if we accept that every single thing in the US Federal Budget is going to have to be cut.

In a $687 billion Defense budget there is at least 10% that can be cut. Conservative are never going to win this war if they fall into this old DC trap.

DC always avoids making any serious spending cuts by pitting one interest group against the other. Defense Hawks against Entitlements, Domestic spending vrs security spending etc.

The only way to win this Budget battle is to take these tactics away from DC. EVERYTHING has to be on the table for at least some reduction.