Thus we are entertained by the spectacle of our national leaders and pundits telling us both that we must reduce deficits and balance the budget, but that such deficits are essential to economic recovery and growth, and the spending cuts necessary for such balance are at the same time contractionary.

FORBES: For The Republicans There's An Opportunity At The Fiscal Cliff

The balance between revising national defence and security strategy ( or lack thereof) and budget constraints will be picked over for a long time once the SDSR is published, which may be at the end of October.

FORBES: Can The UK's Cybersecurity Spending Boost Survive The "Age Of Austerity"?

With pro-growth policies and spending discipline, we will balance the budget in 2012, keep the tax burden low, and provide for our national security.

WHITEHOUSE: Testimony of OMB Director Nussle