"What worries us is this was done in an only fiscal mind-set, looking only at expenses, and not looking at the other impact on the greater economy," said Miguel Soto-Class, executive director of the Center for a New Economy, an independent research organization.
Fiscal minded politicians taking note of the staggering cost of prisons and the war on drugs has spurred some of the change, as has the realization of the human cost of this war as drugs creep ever farther into communities.
But they receive crucial support from Washington insiders, for whom a declared willingness to cut Social Security has long served as a badge of fiscal seriousness, never mind the arithmetic.
It's wise to keep this fiscal theology in mind when trying to understand the push Congressional Republicans are making to repeal the estate tax -- and the unexpectedly wide support they've garnered, both in Congress and among many Americans.
But those same reverent admirers, especially orthodox conservatives, recognize and they hope John McCain recognizes, too the fiscal profligacy, never mind the inhumanity, of a Republican scheme that abandons classic conservative principle.
With the 1970s fiscal crisis in mind, when the city teetered towards bankruptcy and 1m people left, Mr Bloomberg is striving to maintain the low crime rate and keep rubbish off the streets, while finding ways to replace or redeploy finance-sector jobs.
So we offer you, the big kahuna, money-management advice that will put you on the path to prosperity and fiscal peace of mind.
These steps are often taken with fiscal austerity in mind.
Congressman Engel: As I said before, the Bush administration talked a good game about fiscal conservatism and minding the store, and their actions were the exact opposite.
But there are a few simple things to keep in mind as fiscal policy plays out this year.
Once again, the Republican crazies — the people who can't accept the idea of ever voting to raise taxes on the wealthy, never mind either fiscal or economic reality — have saved the day.
