The Washington Post writes that incoming Majority Leader John Boehner will preach the gospel of austerity, but his philosophy seems to leave out defense spending, a large chunk of the federal government's discretionary spending:
'"The American people want a smaller, more accountable government. And starting Wednesday, the House of Representatives will be the American people's outpost in Washington, D.C.," Boehner said. "We are going to fight for their priorities: cutting spending, repealing the job-killing health care law and helping get our economy moving again."'
Over in Europe - where real austerity programs are underway - defense budgets are squarely on the table, and the chopping block. Ironically, both liberals and conservatives are likely to look nervously at European austerity - liberals, for its negative impact on economic recovery and conservatives for its impact on transatlantic security.