Spaniards are upset that the EU has demanded such a fierce deficit cut over the next two years – bigger than that asked of the eurozone's bailed-out countries.
They are fierce deficit hawks in principle, yet when specific cuts to Medicare, a health insurance program for the elderly, or Social Security, a retirement fund, are raised, they turn into pacifists.
That is broadly consistent with the Republicans' pre-election promises, but is considered far too severe by the Democrats in the Senate, the president and milder Republicans.By the same token, many of the Republicans' fiercest deficit hawks say they will not allow the debt ceiling to be raised unless they secure swingeing budget cuts.
That would be worrying enough in normal circumstances, but with the baby-boom generation about to retire and start claiming Social Security (government pensions) and Medicare (government health care for the elderly), it heralds catastrophe.The Democrats are trying hard to sound fierce about the deficit.
But more importantly, today in Washington there is a fierce discussion about the deficit, tax cuts, about the military, social security, and Medicare.
Kazenga LuaLua's fierce drive halved the deficit before Lopez dramatically levelled the Championship clash.
Currently a vice president at the Brookings Institution, he was Turkey's economy minister from 2001 to 2002 and was widely credited with bringing Turkey out of a severe financial crisis by privatizing state assets and slashing budget deficits amid fierce political opposition.
Miler Bolanos narrowed the deficit with a fierce 35-yard drive in the 81st minute and although they kept pressing, with Christian Noboa hitting the bar with six minutes to go, Bolivian goalkeeper Romel Quinonez was in fine form and able to preserve his side's lead.
To restart the economy, Thatcher instituted a fierce attack on the British deficit, coupled with an expansionary monetary policy.
The prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has imposed a fierce austerity programme to bring the deficit down to 3% next year.
No: massive debt and fierce interest rates meant an all-in deficit of about 16%.
