You can cite economists who will argue what would, could or should have happened ad nauseum, but the reality is that we don't know.

As dismissive as folks are of the tea party, their bottom line point is one that both sides agree on: the debt-spending path is unsustainable. Eventually we have to make tough choices and those tough choices will come with hefty responsibilities. But the status quo proscratination won't continue to work.

Last night Primary Colors was on. There was a great scene with candidate Stanton talking to a factory of laid off works. He told them it sucks they're laid off, but they have to learn to transition. It's the same principle, different problem.