The tea party was able to hold the left hostage to exert their extreme right wing ideas. The Republicans put nothing on the plate. Not even cutting subsidies for big oil. No revenues of any kind. The tea party made it clear that they would not agree to lifting the debt without offering one red cent to help out! Obama backed down and let the right have their way. He should have held fast and used the 14th Ammendment to raise the debt ceiling and the Republicans would get the blame for letting the U.S. default on our debt. I found out we are paying 6 times more for our defense than our rival- China! When these cuts in Federal aid start to take effect it will affect all of us and we will have more potholes and less police on the streets. The state of Iowa has closed 26 work centers around the state per our all knowing Gov. Branstad. They have installed computers in libraries and other public buildings. Not everyone knows how to use a computer but that’s ok with Gov. Branstad. Branstad also purposed cutting property tax 200 Million Dollars and that would gut many needed programs including schools. The U.S. Post Office is closing many post offices in small towns in Iowa because they are money losers. Gov. Branstad objected to the post office closures and then it came to light the Branstad owns 12 buildings in differebt towns that are leased to the Post Office. Republicans only care about the rich and their lobbiests. It was a sad day for America when the radical right refused to compromise and did not put up one red cent! If we are really serious about getting rid of our debt we are going to need more revenue. I don’t believe the right cares that the cuts hurt the poor. They always complain about people on welfare and only seem to care about money that they can pass on to their patrons. Shame on the right and shame on Obama for letting it happen!