I would agree that a strong middle class benefits everyone. While the Republicans continue to protect corporations and special interest groups at the expense of the middle class under the pretext that these entities create jobs...the fact remains that they will not create jobs unless the superior purchasing power and consumer confidence of the middle class creates the demand for goods and services.

The Republican resistance to tax reform for the wealthy defies logic. One of the tax loopholes the Obama administration wants to close is one to prevent corporations from outsourcing jobs overseas.

While social security, medicare and medicaid are on the table for discussion for debt reduction, I was pleased to hear Nancy Pelosi's response to it. I doubt that any "reforms (reduction of services)" will clear a vote in both houses.