Cuts You Can Believe In

The Republicans are talking about "across-the-board cuts." But none of 'em will say what they will cut. Why don't we cut the salaries of the House and Senate, and turn Congress into a homeless shelter? There's a start.

And who knows, if you pack enough people into triple bunks throughout the halls of Congress, it might save us some benefits money at least in the DC area, and it could be a pilot program for government buildings all over the country. Not to mention the organic gardens that could grow once we plow up all the cement on the grounds. It might invigorate Congress with some new energy once it has the vibe of a youth hostel in Copenhagen.

Now, some will say that this can't possibly be a serious proposal, and that we can't squeeze enough savings out of it to make a dent in the deficit. But symbolism matters, otherwise President Obama would not have finally pinned that American flag onto his lapel. And once the ball gets rolling, with real pain coming to the ones who, after all, caused it for the American people, maybe real fiscal responsibility will be around the corner.