A Rational Debate about the Deficit

In the following four essays (organized as points and counterpoints), Gene Steuerle of the Urban Institute and Henry Aaron of the Brookings Institution engage what are arguably the most pressing current issues in the accelerating debate on the deficit: how soon should Congress start to legislate budget reform and to what extent should it engage reform of health and retirement programs.  This rational discourse by two of the nation’s leading budget experts includes substantial areas of agreement and disagreement, yet is factually and honestly presented without the noise that usually surrounds and often confuses these issues. Steuerle’s and Aaron’s essays originally appear in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management.

Steuerle, C.E. (2010) "America’s Related Fiscal Problems." Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 29(4), 876-883.

Aaron, H.J. (2010) "How to Think About the U.S. Budget Challenge." Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 29(4), 883-891.

Steuerle, C.E. (2010) "Why We Must Untie Our Fiscal Straightjacket: A Response to Henry J. Aaron." Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 29(4), 891-893.

Aaron, H.J. (2010) "How to Think About the U.S. Budget Challenge: A Response to C. Eugene Steuerle" Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 29(4), 893-895.