a lifeguard who seized tens lummis drowning off of his speech -- the would-swimmers drowned in office beach, if he can only -- swimmers john on his beach, if he can only safe -- swimmers drowning on his beach and he can only save nine of them does not mean he is drowning the other one. this country will be a lot wiser. until then, less safe to we can. >> the gentleman's time has expired. >> i am please to yield three minutes for the distinguished gentleman, the gentleman from michigan. >> the gentleman from michigan is recognized for three minutes. >> he this is an important moment, an important moment. these bills move the nation dangerously closer to the cliff with only 11 days before our nation would go over it. they make finding common ground far more difficult, with only 11 days left to find it. these bills are not a plan, they are a ploy. they are builds to nowhere. they undermine trust essential for agreement. we just heard. the republicans claim letting the tax rate go up from 35% to 39.6% on income over $1 million is not a tax hike because they would happen on its own. then t

he joined us on set along with carol lummis, who came out with the new book, "tap dancing to work: warren buffett on practically everything 1966 to 2012." a compilation about the oracle of omaha. >> what is the principle of warren buffett's life that keeps him who he is, but keeps him in his house and omaha. what's that thing in life that drove him in high school and drives him now? >> well, he does like to succeed, but money is nothing, absolutely nothing. he's always been driven and he got interested in invest, when he was -- well, his first trade was at age 11. i have four grandkids and none seem to be headed in that direction. and he just, he always was interested in every element of investing. >> so he had a goal. >> he had a goal. and you're right, he likes winning. you like winning, you like succeeded, but money, and i'm not just saying this patronizing, because most really rich people i know, money is something that comes along with doing something they love, right? >> absolutely. >> so for you, what was that thing that drove you from an early age? >> i got interested in investing

lummis: i want to compliment the gentlelady from tennessee for organizing this group to talk about this essential issue that is coming before the people of this country as described to be a fiscal cliff. quite frankly, we need to look back at alice in wonderland to see from where we have come. and in the case of alice in wonderland, there is a line that says, if you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there. and certainly in the case of congress, the republicans have laid out a road, it's a road back -- road map for america's future. it is designed by our house budget committee, chaired by congressman paul ryan from wisconsin. and it lays out a plan for spending. it lays out a plan to sustain the viability and vitality of social security and medicare and medicaid into the future, to make sure that seniors now can enjoy the benefits that they've earned through social security, medicare and medicaid. and that the young people who are paying for it now will have those benefits available to them when they retire or when they need them. that is our road map to america's futu