EVEN THE NYTIMES CAN'T IGNORE IT: THE ERA OF BIG GOVERNMENT SPENDING IS OVER

HERE'S PROOF THAT CUTTING GOVERNMENT SPENDING WILL BE 2011'S BIGGEST STORY: 3 BIG STORIES FROM TODAY'S NYTIMES' FRONT PAGE (ONLINE):

Public Workers Facing Outrage as Budget Crises Grow

Across the nation, a rising irritation with public employee unions is palpable, as a wounded economy has blown gaping holes in state, city and town budgets.

[...] a growing cadre of political leaders and municipal finance experts argue that much of the edifice of municipal and state finance is jury-rigged and, without new revenue, perhaps unsustainable. Too many political leaders, they argue, acted too irresponsibly, failing to either raise taxes or cut spending.

A brutal reckoning awaits, they say.

AND:

Cuomo Promises Emergency Plan on Finance Woes

In an inaugural speech, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo pledged to unveil the plan a month before his budget proposal is due.

[...] In his inaugural address, Mr. Cuomo said he would unveil an emergency financial plan this week — a month before his first budget proposal is due — and push aggressively for stronger ethics enforcement in Albany.

“There is no more time to waste,” Mr. Cuomo, 53, said in a 25-minute speech, his voice often rising. “It is a time for deeds, not words, and results, not rhetoric. It is time for a bold agenda and immediate action. There is no more waiting for tomorrow, and there are no more baby steps, my friends.”

Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, pledged to approach his job with “constructive impatience,” shrink the size of the sprawling state government...

AND THIS:

Tea Party Activists Angry at G.O.P. Leaders

After victories in the midterm elections, resentment over spending, “caving” and leadership choices.

MORE THAN A NEW YEAR HAS BEGUN.

A NEW ERA HAS BEGUN.

UPDATE: THE GOP ESTABLISHMENT GETS IT:

Congressional Republicans vowed Sunday to use their new majority in the House and their stronger position in the Senate to roll back the Obama administration’s health care overhaul and press for sharp, rapid cuts in spending.