“America is fast approaching a tipping point. Reckless spending today threatens to impoverish future generations tomorrow. The budget battle ahead will determine whether we continue our decline into a cradle-tograve welfare state or move in a new direction consistent with America’s founding ideals.”

—Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), chairman of the House Budget Committee, previewing the response to the State of the Union Address he was to give last night on behalf of the GOP.