“The recommendations put forward by the chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform are going to have about as smooth a sail in Congress as the Splendor cruise ship had off the California coast.

“While we must engage in a serious and robust debate on how to cut our nation’s debt, Draconian proposals that roll back Social Security benefits, end the mortgage interest deduction, tax workers’ health benefits or undermine the protections and safety net for middle-class American  families, our seniors, and some of our most vulnerable citizens are not acceptable. 

“Deficit reduction must be a priority as we rebuild our economy, and the immediate step we can take to save our nation hundreds of billions of dollars is to begin now by allowing the Bush tax cuts for millionaires to expire.”