U.S. must become fiscally responsible

Fiscal responsibility: “What the bleep.”

In the simplest terms:

• U.S. tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000

• Federal budget: $3,820,000,000,000

• New debt: $1,650,000,000,000

• National debt: $14,271,000,000,000

• Recent budget cut: $38,500,000,000

Remove eight zeros and pretend it’s a household budget:

• Annual family income $21,7000

• 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: $385

MICHAEL HELLMAN

Sandpoint