The Burke Perspective: The Debt Limit Fight

Bob (and dog Dobey): “Everybody in Congress is at fault. I think we have to do like every American family has to do— balance our checkbook. I think the government needs to do the same thing.”

Lance Cunningham: “Both parties are at fault. In the short term, raising the debt ceiling will help, but I think a combination of large cuts and small increases in taxes would probably fix our problems.”

Sheila Roit: “I think it’s the conservative Republicans—the fact that they’re not willing to compromise and they’re willing to sacrifice the future of America. I would support a compromise that would cut spending, but also preserve some of the programs that are crucial to society—such as medical, social security, military spending. But there are also a lot of things you can cut out of the budget. There’s a lot of waste.”

Alan Roit: “I wouldn’t say it’s the conservative Republicans—we’ll just call it the conservative third party—is at fault. I think that the compromise is necessary. We need something that would not only cut spending but have a long term solution to the debt ceiling.”

Stephen Thatcher: “It’s everybody’s fault. Obama, Republicans, Democrats. I think there’s a lot of acrimony between the parties. They need to work something out prior to us going into default. I’m not a Tea Party member, but I feel like we need to trim the budget and take a harder hit now before it gets worse. Tighten the belt now before it gets really bad later on. I don’t want additional taxes, that’s for sure.”

Ari Fraidoon: “I think it’s the people. We’re spending too much as a country—money we don’t have. I work for a bank, so I know you have to budget. Have a limit on expenses. Use money wisely. The government also needs to stop giving money away and pay our own bills.”

Ellen: “I think mutual parties are at fault. I would like to support Reid’s plan. I feel it’s enough of a compromise—Not only to get us out of debt, but it’s not a prolonged plan. There will be some immediate relief felt rather than the opposing parties’ proposition.”