On 12/28/2012 2:43 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
US Budget for Dummies.... (from http://tinyurl.com/cv3wlwx )

* U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
* Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
* New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000
* National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
* Recent budget cuts: $ 38,500,000,000

Let’s now remove 8 zeros and pretend it’s a household budget:

* Annual family income: $21,700
* Money the family spent: $38,200
* New debt on the credit card: $16,500
* Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710
* Total budget cuts so far: $38.50

Can the household print money?
Can the household borrow at .01%? (3 mo. T-bills)
What are the prospects for increasing revenue/income?
Do you think it's that simple?
Where have you been the last 30 years?
Fair enough though, you did say it was for dummies.