As long as I’m ranting

Geithner: Taxes on ‘Small Business’ Must Rise So Government Doesn’t ‘Shrink’

And we don’t want government to ‘shrink’ because it would put “a huge additional burden on the economy”.

“And if we were to cut spending by that magnitude to do it, you’d be putting a huge additional burden on the economy, probably greater negative economic impact than that modest change in revenue,” said Geithner.

“Probably greater negative economic impact than that modest change in revenue”

Probably? Based on freaking what??? How about spending less? How about making regulations such that all of these people commenting over at Dr. Helen about the secret jobs they have would be willing to come out into the sunshine?

“We’re not doing it because we want to do it, we’re doing it because we see no alternative to a balanced approach to reduce our fiscal deficits,” said Geithner.

No alternative. There is just no alternative. Bullshit. They see no alternative and it becomes clear why Republicans had to pull out of the debt talks. The Dems have exactly that little imagination that they can imagine no other alternatives.

In a statement, Cantor said the talks had “identified trillions in spending cuts” and “established a blueprint that could institute the fiscal reforms needed to start getting our fiscal house in order.” He praised Biden, saying the vice president “deserves a great deal of credit for his leadership in bringing us this far.”

“That said, each side came into these talks with certain orders, and as it stands the Democrats continue to insist that any deal must include tax increases,” Cantor said. “Regardless of the progress that has been made, the tax issue must be resolved before discussions can continue.”

Go read the first link. It’s worth your time just for the laugh on a Friday.
Methinks that Geitner has no clue what conservatives wish for.