Progress on monetary reform is the overlooked, all important variable that will shape the outlook for financial markets, economic growth and the prospect for balancing the budget of federal, state and local governments, to say nothing of the budget of the average American family.

FORBES: The Budget Stalemate Shows The Need For Monetary Reform

Napolitano said the president's federal budget was pushing billions of dollars in spending requirements onto state and local governments.

CNN: Democrats decry 'No Child Left Behind'

Ryan's program has helped more than 80, 000 families since it started, and it has earned the trust of local governments: While some of its annual budget comes from individual and corporate donations, more than half of it comes from city and state grants.

CNN: A way forward for pregnant, homeless women