axes, and also in $2.3 billion of tighter EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) adjustments. Although Clinton's plan was expected to cut a whopping $593 billion in 7 years to furthermore produce an $8 billion surplus in 2002, most cuts are long term without a clear goal. Clinton is sometimes criticized by Republicans for unwillingness to compromise. He has used vetoes and stubborn negotiations to protect personal priorities like education, job training, and environmental programs, but Republicans have also tried using domination to force him to comply. GOP Presidential candidate Bob Dole said if Clinton was serious about the budget, "we probably could have had an agreement on New Years Day," 1996 (Hosansky 1449). "The President is sitting on his hands while the federal debt keeps going up and up and up into the stratosphere," said Congressman Jesse Helms, Rep -North Carolina. But one must remember that President Clinton does have somewhat of an overwhelming power in this debate that Republicans can do nothing about. He is the single person that can veto laws sent to him, and also has the power to call Congress back into session if he is unhappy with the current situation. This was President Truman's "ace in the hole" back in 1948. A Neutral Proposal: As a neutral proposal, a group calling themselves the "Blue Dog's" have won support for their budget from both Republicans and Democrats. The group also known as the Concord Coalition includes many conservative Democrats that want to see shallower budget cuts with less reform to entitlements. They also believe a tax cut should be delayed until the budget is balanced. The Coalition believes that by reforming entitlement policy, rethinking government size, changing taxation methods, and consuming less, our budget can be balanced (Rau M-1). Defending Deficits: In defense of deficits, some may argue that the danger of the current situation is highly over rated. A budget deal has always had less to do...
