system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Can someone explain to me, in a nonpartisan way, what each government branch currently wants.

I know what the Reps and Dems want normally but what is happening right now that is causing all this trouble. Please dont post only the one side and as I said I would like to not be swayed toward either side.
gpt
There's two kinds of wants.  First, ideological.  Second, political.  

Ideologically, the Democrats want to cut spending but also to raise revenue by increasing taxes on the rich back to what they were under Clinton.  At the moment, though, tax increases are off the table as they aren't even in Harry Reid's plan.  

Ideologically, the Republicans want to cut government spending with no tax increases.  They believe that increasing taxes on the rich will harm their ability to create jobs. 

Politically, the Democrats want to make the Republicans look like dicks who only care about rich people and lobbyists, and for Obama to look good.  They also want this debt debate to be covered with enough room so that it won't come back until after the 2012 election, so this issue won't be a problem before election time. 

Politically, the Republicans want to make sure Obama loses in 2012 and also want the Democrats to come off looking like socialist tax-hikers.  They want the debate to come up again in 6 months so they can use it to try and make Dems look bad before the elections.