there is an alternative

slashing the defense budget.  restoring civil liberties protection.  standing up for science and the scientific method.  protecting and encouraging the right to organize.  modernization of infrastructure.  atrios's superduper trains.  protecting and encouraging the free and creative expression.  living wage.  universal health care.

lots of possibilities that we as a society pretend don't exist just because barack obama and pete peterson don't want to talk about them.