Democrats respond that such a one-sided approach would be economically harmful and socially unjust. In the meantime, both sides risk disrupting transfer payments (including to the elderly) and the provision of public services, as well as eroding further America’s global credit standing.
共和党人想利用僵持来迫使奥巴马当局大规模消减开支。民主党则辩称这个不考虑其他因素的单一手段不但会损害经济，还会造成社会不公。与此同时，双方都冒着扰乱转移支付（包括老人补助）和公共服务供给的风险，甚至进一步威胁到美国的全球信用。