[Mr Rogers]

The military budget is 19-23% of spending, depending on what you call defense.

Medicare is 19%. Social Security is 20%.

“They want to cut $50B from defense? Okay — we want $50B cut from education.”

More like, “You want to cut 50B from Defense? OK. Also 50B from social security, 50B from Medicare, 50B from other non-discretionary spending and 50B from discretionary spending.

NOW defense would be taking an across the board cut. However, defense is more important than SS, Medicare and other department spending.

[ClearCase_guy]

I agree with that. That's probably a smarter way to go. But my point is that each political party wants to wrap their arms about large parts of the budget and say "Can't touch this!" We will never get anywhere if the public perceives that the Republicans are joining in that game. The Democrats, of course, can play that game and be shielded by the media.

Republicans need to be seen as very open to all kinds of budget cuts. Now, we should not give away the store and do something stupid -- but let's not fool ourselves: cuts are coming and everyone is going to feel the pain. Let the public know that we are participating.