Hopes for agreement are dim

The discussions regarding the budget have gone past any sense of reason to the ridiculous.

---

We've had no budget for 4 years, Simpson Bowles fiscal responsibility plan did not pass and the Super Committee could not reach agreement on addressing our budget problems. The same players, in the same positions and running the same plays are again stuck in deadlock. Why is this? Because none have the intestinal fortitude to take a stand. If they don't take a vote then the people don't know where they stand. We have short memories, we are Americans and some are counting on us to forget a few things, such as the fact that in August of this year, the House of Representatives voted to extend the Bush era tax cuts, which no longer are tax cuts but are the current tax rate and has been for over 10 years. It was the Democratic Senate which refused to sign. Now we have a looming deadline, an emboldened President, a House of Representatives that is still controlled by Republicans and a contentious atmosphere in Washington. Hopes for an agreement grow dim. It is interesting that the President does not seem to realize that once he pushes his agenda hard enough so his supporters feel the pain, his support will be no more. To date he has shielded them from the reality of the situation. No home, business, community, state or country that is well managed operates without a budget. Enough said. Jean Arcamone

---