US debt showdown: who's to blame for the deadlock?

It's Thanksgiving in the United States, but millions of Americans will be hard pushed to find much to be grateful for this year - 9% of the population is out of work. Meanwhile in Washington, it's deadlock as usual. The so-called congressional "super-committee" has missed a deadline on an agreement to reduce the country's record national debt. This means across the board spending cuts will take effect.

• Ellen WASYLINA, Republicans Abroad;
• Zachary MILLER, Democrats Abroad;
• Amine OUZAD, Assistant Professor of Economics and Political Science, INSEAD;
• Daniel HAMILTON, Executive Director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations, SAIS.
  
  Watch the second part.