The hugh negative foreign trade deficit in goods has cause the loss of millions of jobs in the USA. My own sons have been affected by this situation, as well as some others I know. Reducing this deficit by half will eliminate our unemployment problem.

Bring back jobs to American workers. Stop the transfer of technology and the manufacturing technology that goes with the production of such goods.

While politicians posture and play chicken with our economy all American citizens are affected because of the uncertainty that individuals and businesses face about policy direction.

Even President Obama and too many Democrats appear willing to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits as part of a "grand bargain" to avoid the "fiscal cliff" despite the fact that these are bare bones safety net programs that hard working taxpaying people pay specific taxes for and, if necessary, are willing to increase so that in this richest country in the world our elderly can live their final days in relative comfort and basic dignity. Anything less is a travesty of justice given the harsh regressive tax cut driven disparity of wealth and income in our country fueled by decades of GOP deregulation of greed in the banking, finance, and energy sectors of our economy.

With most of America getting no wage increases or getting wage cuts it's time we as employers to give congress salary cuts. We need to put salary and pension cuts for the house and senate on the ballot in the next election and let the voters show them just what we think of their job performance.

Please don't reduce social security benefits.

Philadelphia City workers have not had a contract in almost five (5) years.

Understand that the very same members of the Senate and Congress OF BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS who threaten legislative cuts to Social Security and Medicare HAVE NEITHER ENTITLEMENTS. Instead of thinking cuts for the seniors that is a lifeline in our later years when medical needs and daily living are paramount initiate legislation to require those Senators and Congressmen to be merged with those that elected them and remove the outrageous retirement entitlements that no electorate person comes close to..It's never to late in the game to get this done. We the people have spoken. is anybody listening?

It appears that Congress cannot come to agreement on how to prevent "going over the cliff." However, Republicans and Democrats have consistently and often agreed verbally that tax cuts for the middle class should be extended. We are petitioning Republican Congressional representatives to vote NOW to extend tax cuts for the middle class.

Budget Debate going on

Equalizing the budget cuts on the table s we try to prevent the 'falloff of the fiscal clif' we should include 10-15% cut in thesalaries and pensionsof congress members and staff. Afterall they are siting around and not working just like 'retirees' who expect the 'entitlements' of Social Security and Medicare

I am very concerned about the budget impasse and the looming fiscal cliff---the intransigence of our political leaders in not listening to constituents--but---especially to be responsible and accountable as elected representatives--to all constituents--not just their party--and to resolve issues which are compromising our democracy in a collaborative manner.