O-mama - Opinionated Moms

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We love the middle ground, right MAMAs?  It’s where we can meet and find solutions.  Not everyone ends up totally satisfied, but at least something gets done.  In the real world, this might be true, but let’s see if it works in Washington.  The President has backed his budget out of the garage today to give it a little test drive...it may appeal a little to each side, and might give them a little road rage, too.  The record $1.6 trillion deficit won’t be brought down for another year.  The nation will have to borrow $7.2 trillion through 2021.  It’s going to be a long haul down the road to economic recovery for this great nation of ours.  So, Obama proposes to cut some spending on government programs (ouch Democrats), and increase some taxes (ouch Republicans), borrow a little and invest a little, too.  It’s a virtual hodge-podge of middle of the road economics.  The rubber will meet the road, however, as both parties drag race to put forth additional ideas that don't drive the economy off another cliff.

So, we know that no one wants to get into the driver’s seat on this one.  Obama put together his budget deficit commission and that was his way of saying he's ready to meet in the middle and go for a spin, but his budget didn't reflect the long-term problems down the road. Republicans have been focused on some little things, afraid to take a bigger step into the street and get squished (except for Paul Ryan who has detailed his roadmap, but has not rallied other Republicans to go down that road with him).  But, we all know there is a big elephant in the middle of the road, actually there are four that we can see flashing in front of us (taxes, defense spending, social security, medicare/medicaid), and if no one is going to deal with them…we’re going to be driving in circles trying to avoid them.  It is unacceptable that Republicans and Democrats are not working together to get us on the right track...we know it has to be done and we know they have to do it together because the politics are so bumpy.  But, we are bracing ourselves for the impact.  We have our seat belts on...we know we need to invest in the future (we get it - it's like taking out a loan for college, you borrow, you get a better job, make more money, pay off your loan), but we just want to know where we are going and how long it is going to take!?  

During road trips, our kids constantly ask, “are we there yet?” So, that's all...we just want to know where we are going and when we are going to get there.  Even if it seems like the road will be long…we just want to know about how long, so we don't get so antsy.  We want to know so we can take pit stops (get snacks) and recharge along the way.  We want to know that someone is in the driver's seat and has a map, or GPS, to get us there.  Sometime’s the road will have twists and turns, but to get from point A to point B, "we've got to get in the driver's seat," buckle our seat belts on, put the pedal to the metal and get going!  What are your opinions MAMAs?