I'm tempted to say that the GOP should use the opportunity, the obvious outrage that will occur, to negotiate for some balanced fiscal reforms. But I don't think there's enough well-organized political will on the right to pull it off. If there was, here's what I think such reforms should include...

• Some serious cuts in discretionary spending, but not including cuts that would affect our long-term economic strength. That means not cutting education, infrastructure repairs and improvements, research...those kinds of things. Stuff like unemployment benefits, narrowly-focused social programs, etc. Less critical government-funded programs that are " nice", but not critical, should be hit hard. I'll you figure out what that might include, but certainly they'd be things we all like and enjoy, and even depend on.

• The beginning of some serious discussions on re-forming and cutting the benefits and the costs of Social Security and Medicare.

• A more measured set of cuts to the defense budget, ones that get rid of strategically unnecessary spending without weakening our fundamental military strength.

• And yes, a trade off of who will bear the brunt of tax increases. The wealthiest should pay more, not the middle class. And the well-lobbied system of corporate tax breaks and loopholes should be fundamentally eliminated.

So what do I think will happen...even though by the end of the year the results of the 2012 election will be known? Like previous posters have suggested, probably nothing. Again, America will be left by its broken and politicized government awaiting direction from our creditors, probably China.