British budget cuts preserve important spending and are a model for U.S. lawmakers

In his Washington Post column, Michael Gerson writes about British Prime Minister David Cameron's approach to budget cuts. "Cameronism is defined not only by austerity but by a few notable exceptions to austerity. The prime minister has protected some spending categories from reductions, erecting what's called a 'ring-fence' around health programs and foreign assistance," Gerson notes before detailing how the British strategy to reduce spending shows the Obama administration "that it remains possible to set creative policy priorities even in a time of austerity."

Gerson concludes, "In coming American elections, Republicans will require budget-cutting ambition. They will also need to show some judgment - and a humanity that could make all of us proud" (6/2).