From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

In Washington, it's back to the budget.

Hello again, I'm Warren Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues the Americans got about most.

This week, Republicans plan

to set records with proposed spending cuts. Today, President Obama offered what he's calling

a responsible alternative. It hits hard at programs dear to Democrats to provide increases

for education, infrastructure, and clean energy. It also raises some taxes. Republicans call it

an abdication of leadership,

but it's just the beginning of a process that could lead to a government shutdown if there's no compromise.

We'll look at the early maneuvering and ask why neither side has yet to mention Medicare,

the military, social security, or the long-term deficit.

Also today, a Middle East update.

First, here's the news.

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whose contributors include the Ford Foundation,

the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation,

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Information at Gates Foundation.org.

Hello again, Marmon Olney. Back with To the Point. President Obama calls his latest budget proposal a responsible alternative to massive cuts demanded by Tea Party Republicans.

Will the upcoming battle shut down the government?

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