need to make a plan, some decisions about how to bring the budget closer to balance over the immedia medium term. that means as you discuss spending, you need to think about the revenue sources that will be related to that. if you don't do that, then, again, you'll see interest rates rise and see reluctance of lenders to provide credit to the u.s. government. that would be a very bad outcome. and i believe there is a great deal of confidence in the markets that u.s. government will take the necessary steps to restore fiscal discipline, but it is essential that this body and the congress in general do that hard work and get that done. >> thank you. chancellor murkle of germany yesterday was very critical of central banks worldwide, but specifically of the fed. would you like to make any comment -- i presume you read what she said. would you like to make any comments relative to her comments? >> only that i respectfully disagree with her views. the u.s. and global economies including germany have faced an extraordinary combination of financial cry siisis. and i think it is justified to try to avoi