A Simple Explanation.

       Conservatives state categorically that they will not allow any tax increases, under any circumstances. That's a pretty clear statement. Progressives state categorically that they will not allow cuts to Social Security, Medicare or medicaid under any circumstances. That's a pretty clear statement. So what we have is one side saying no and the other side saying no.
       That leaves the social safety-nets, pork and defense to choose from. The social safety-nets don't amount to much in the overall financial scheme of things. Pork is far too important and necessary to the function of our government and the economy to be considered by Congress. That only leaves Defense. It would appear that of all the functions of government, Defense is it. If it were a game of tag, Defense would be IT.
       Between taxes, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Safety-nets, Pork and Defense, Defense is the only expendable area of the budget. After all, who needs Homeland Security? Americans are the most heavily armed people in the world. We could field an army of somewhere near twenty million heavily armed citizens. Of course, they wouldn't all be willing to fight a common enemy, some would rather fight each other.
       Never-the-less, we'd still have all the cannon fodder we need. What enemy would be so foolish as to try to invade America. As for actual defense department personnel, all we need is the guy that carries the briefcase with the button in it, for the president. You know, the red button that sends the missiles at the enemy. I'm not sure how that button knows which enemy, but that's a political decision anyway.
       So that's all it would take to solve our budgetary problems. Of course if you don't want to unleash our twenty million member militia, then it looks to me like both sides are going to have to give in a bit and compromise. That or continue to squabble like spoiled children right up until our country goes belly up.