David Minge: “despite the heated rhetoric surrounding the budget debate, the Republican budget passed last week. It will tragically…”

“despite the heated rhetoric surrounding the budget debate, the Republican budget passed last week. It will tragically increase the deficit from $130 billion to $153 billion. Just when most of us who are deeply committed to deficit reduction thought that we had the opportunity to address the budget in a forthright manner, we have been duped. If we have learned anything about the tragic budget debate of last year, we have learned that if it is going to succeed, the design and the details of the budget must reflect the priorities of modern Americans. Middle America wants to see the deficit decreased. Middle America does not want to see education and health care programs cut while defense spending increases. Middle Americans are willing to share in the sacrifice necessary to balance the budget. Yes, most support tax cuts. So do I. However, we should not borrow money temporarily to pay for a tax cut if we are sacrificing the future of our children and grandchildren. We must be willing to set our priorities straight and make the tough choices necessary to balance the budget.”