where they start. They frame the entire debate by calling the progressive approach "Soak the Rich" and the conservative approach "Starve the Beast." Neither are accurate, given that progressives have argued for fairness in the tax code and not a soaking, while conservatives aren't as interested in starving beasts as they are in shifting where the beast is fed and who feeds it.

While they haven't unveiled specific ideas yet, it seems clear that they're already pushing for their plan to be the only plan that makes sense, and to cut off debate -- an option I find unacceptable. The Progressive Caucus has ideas that make sense, and are not "soaking" the rich as much as they are a way to make tax burdens fair to all -- corporations, middle class, and wealthy alike.

The entire debate is being framed too widely at this point, anyway. Social Security should come off the table, except to the extent that the payroll tax is adjusted as the original formula intended. The tax code needs to be overhauled. In my view, any deficit reduction package that amends the tax code as it exists today is not reform, since it's loaded with sunset provisions, obscure tax breaks for one or two companies all over it, and other inconsistent and mostly unintelligible footnotes that give billions away to the high-end earners.

Going on Fox & Friends and telling viewers it's our way or no way is not a third way. It's just what conservatives do on a near-daily basis. Surely we can do better than that.