It kills the economy, creates a burden on us, our kids, and grandkids unto the n’th generation? The left screams for defense cutbacks, the right is chanting for cut backs on entitlements. Raise taxes, cut spending, what, how, help!

Fine, here is a possible solution. Get ready for the screaming. First cut spending across the board by two percent a year. Second continue cutting for two more years. Third a constitutional amendment that prevents congress from spending over the budget except for two reasons. One, a declared war called for by the President and approved of by a majority of Congress. Two, in the event of a national disaster, called for by the President and approved of by a majority of Congress. And the excess spending, or over budget spending this must directly apply to the need or emergency!

Why the extra two years of cuts? We not only need to balance the budget, but to also pay off the debt. This four percent should be used to pay off the debt. Once the debt is paid off two percent can go back to the budget, and two percent put into an emergency account. Here in Texas we call this a rainy day fund.

This account/ rainy day fund can be used for smaller emergencies or less expensive emergencies, or even to fix federal mistakes, oops one of our nuclear submarines sank. Well, raise it, and secure the reactor!

Will there be pain and discomfort? Yes, but it will be shared by all. And by all it should be, no vote or not many passed without support or approval by both parties. Also the constitutional amendment should protect us from future excesses, such as unfunded mandates. And speaking of unfunded mandates congress should also pass a law preventing, unfunded mandates. Or maybe a law that states taxes must be approved of by a supermajority, and cuts by a simple majority.

Unfunded mandates are budget busters; they can require states, businesses, and people to pay for federal policies and programs that are not wanted, and not approved of by the people it most affects. I’m sure there are other loop holes and ways around this plan. Well as each is found it must be closed and its effects countered. We are a great people and a great country, we’ve made mistakes and now we need to start fixing them.

ROY POKLADNIK, a teacher and problem solver welcomes comments and suggestions for topics . He may be reached at : roypokladnik@gmail.com.