If we can't have the courage to tell our constituents hey we've got to cut back then if we can point to something and say I would like to vote for more benefits for you but this balanced budget amendment or statutory spending cap or whatever the device is is preventing me from doing it.
One of the consequences of the Iranian revolution has been an explosion of history. A country once known only from British consular reports and intrepid travelogues is now awash with historical documents letters diaries grainy video weblogs and secret police files of questionable authenticity.