Introduction
We're fixing a hole
Launch
Circle 'round the consumer price index
The handoff
Staking out territory
Offer and counteroffer
An agreement
What was that we agreed to?
The center must hold
The challenge of reconciliation
House on fire
Tax tribulations
Into the hands of the leaders
Taxes and death
The triumph of responsibility
Postscript : the limits and potential of bipartisanship
Appendixes
A. primer on the budget process
B. key budget terms
C. chronology of important dates
D. list of participants.