ROBERT HALE: “Simply hoping banks work off these assets would prolong the economic crisis and increase the costs to the taxpayer.”

The most important reason that we need to do this, to achieve auditable financial statements, is public confidence.

We hope that Congress will enact this deficit reduction plan, or an alternative that the President can sign, and then repeal sequestration.

I worry about our civilian workforce. I do not know--three pay freezes, furlough potential--I am not sure why anybody would want to work for us right now.

Please don't use the word nonessential as regards our civilians.