Government jobs balance private sector jobs.  The cuts and lost jobs in Government result in belt tightening in the private sector.  This in turn erodes the consumer base.  We are seeing this happen.  Expansion not contraction offers solutions to the current fiscal problems.  Tax breaks for the wealthy must end.  FICA wage limits must be raised, subsidies and loopholes must be addressed, Govt work programs should be started to get people back to work and becoming consumers.  The Republican party must get control of the Tea Party - there aren't that many of them. Recall votes should be started for the extremists, they are undermining the country.  It is already going on in Wisconsin.  Unfortunately, Obama has proved to be a weak President and has not stood ground on ending Bush Tax cuts, ending the war, and not understanding that he will never be able to satisfy the conservatives - they are sworn enemies posed to defeat him at any cost.