they always approve it otherwise the government comes screeching to a halt. that's not going to happen. almost all the promises coming out of the congress are not going to happen. they're not going to be able to cut $100 billion. they're not going to be able to drastically cut the growth of federal spending within our lifetimes or at least my lifetime. i'm 66. it's all a lot of political blarney at this point. >> ben, you know, i think that there are some republicans and i'll give them credit for this to follow through on their pledges and rapidly ratchet back some of the spending. would that be a good idea in your view just a matter of pure economics? do you think they should do that? >> no, i don't think they should be doing it right now until the recovery is stronger than it is. eliot, i'm following this for a long time. man and boy for a long time. congress always promising to cut spending. they never do. except when there's the build up of a big war, they don't do it. so i just don't see where these