So I want to challenge myself (and each of us) to become interested in fiscal policy. It’s not just Paul Ryan’s budget; it’s not just one more seemingly impossible, gridlocked debate on the Hill. Ryan’s budget, the Senate’s response, President Obama’s meetings and speeches, they make up a unique story. A story that we could invest in, if we choose it.

Last week, politicians failed to reach a deal regarding the impending sequestration that affects a wide number of basic government services. In doing so, our leaders have ignored the public’s common good, thus failing to uphold the government’s responsibility to ensure public justice for its people.

If Congress and the White House cannot agree on a deficit-cutting strategy by March 1, an across-the-board $85 billion cut in federal spending will kick in. 

Analysis of the political implications of President Obama’s inaugural address has begun and will continue through the State of the Union address. 

In the last few weeks, we went over a cliff, survived it, were confused by our survival, and headed right back into heated debates about the federal budget and its spending. 

Why does Washington seem incapable of acting in serious ways to serve the national interest? There are a number of reasons…

So as citizens anxious to be informed, and to see economic justice and stability achieved, I urge us to ask ourselves, our members of Congress, and our institutions of civil society more broadly: how did we get here?