James Capretta (whose judgment I really trust), slags the Gang of Six Plan.  I tend to agree.  The plan gives about as much as conservatives can reasonably give in a good faith center-left/center-right compromise when it comes to tax revenues (I can see a little more wiggle room on tax rates but not much.)  I'm okay with that as long as it is coupled with specific substantial long-term reductions and restructuring on the spending side.  Right now, the Republican votes to raise taxes and then get a promise that majority Democratic Senate committees will sometime later produce something later which will then be voted on through the reconciliation process. No sale.  On the other hand I can't see anything like major right-leaning reform (even if it includes higher revenues) passing this Senate.  One moral is that if Republicans want fundamental reform of the size and structure of the federal government along Ryan(ish) lines, they are going to have to win the argument and elections based on their preferred spending levels and entitlement reforms.