Reply #10: there seem to be 3 choices (and gray areas in between)

[Motown_Johnny]

1) cuts cuts and more cuts to try and keep the deficit from growing as fast as it has been

2) let the deficit grow without any attempt to slow it

3) tax increases to help pay for the things we spend money on




The problem with #1 is that social programs seem to be the easiest for those in power to cut, even though these cuts do more harm than good. These cuts just make things worse, not to mention the real harm done to actual human beings.

The problems with #2 should be obvious. Weaker dollar, lower credit rating, increased interest payments and the need to inevitably pay what has been spent.

The problem with #3 is that the Bush tax cuts have already been extended until the end of 2012 and there isn't any way to get tax increases through a House with an (R) majority.



Everyone seems to be gearing up for the arguments they want to make in 2012. We are all screwed with this budget, and the next. With Tea Party support down to 22% (in a recent poll) and dropping we can hope that a strong (D) showing in 2012 can help reverse this trend and we can start to do what needs to be done early in 2013. Until then I just don't see any politically viable way to address these problems that any of us can stomach.