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The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (click here for website) warns that America's long-term deficits are unsustainable. Congress just approved $35 billion in cuts to the 2011 budget.  However, these cuts only make small progress towards curtailing long-term deficits and they do not cut 61% of the budget, including Defense (20%), Medicare/Medicaid/SCHIP (21%), and Social Security (20%)(click here for more information). Interest payments on the debt are approximately 6 percent of the annual budget. 

As Congress debates the budgets for 2012 and beyond, it is important to hear from you about some of the proposals currently being debated.  For example, Republicans want to turn Medicare into a voucher program and turn Medicaid into a block grant program.  They also want to keep tax cuts for the top 5 percent of income earners.  What are your thoughts?

Please take a moment to share your views about the long term deficit on our latest survey, located here: /Forms/Form/?ID=1205.

You can also watch Congressman Scott's speech about the Republican budget at this link.