The solution is obvious - raise taxes!

The citizens of the US pay a much smaller share of their income as taxes than most of the OECD countries; corporate tax rates are higher but we have all seen those reports recently about how much taxes corporations really pay. The actual amount individuals pay (as a percent of income) has decreased over the past couple of decades - although this may be untrue for those living in high-tax states. However, government (Federal) spending has continued to increase as income has decreased. And don't blame 'the gummint' for this...every bit of increased spending can be traced to legislation - that is, to our elected representatives.

It is absolutely impossible to either have a balanced budget or to begin to decrease the level of debt by simply decreasing spending, even if that were practical. Rep. Ryan's proposal allegedly reduces debt to zero in 30 years or so, but only with draconian effect upon entitlements, some peculiar economic assumptions and (IMHO) the return of Voodoo economics.