The major crisis of the year so far was the October government shutdown. After three weeks, a deal was cut to reopen the government and set new dates for budget deadlines. Government funds run out on 15 January and Congress is supposed to have a new budget plan on the table by 13 December. That makes this the halftime break of the fiscal fight where both sides, Democrats and Republicans, are reviewing their first half performance, their opponents' performance and planning new strategic and tactical moves for the second half.However, the halftime locker room report doesn't reveal any new, dramatic, game-changing plays or strategies. As we have reported many times before, this is the same old game. We've had either a major stimulus or deficit...