Hi CMKXVictim,

May I give you a third option (would never be considered but viable nonetheless)

U.S. cuts expenditures drastically, does not raise taxes, and balances, or decreases its budget.

Can't be done?

Well how about this!

Close all overseas military bases.

Bring home ALL the troops from Afghanistan and Iraq and cease all hostilities abroard.

Get rid of the Federal Reserve.

Get rid of Medicare and Medicaid and go back to a pay-as-you-need system, except for those that cannot afford.

Cut ALL political budgets by 10%

Cut all civil service by a minimum of 10%.

Get rid of all income taxes and other punitive taxes and introduce a "Fair Tax" of say 30%.

And this to just start.

Bet the U.S. people, as a whole, would benefit.

By the way, isn't there a Presidential Candidate running with most of this as his platform?

Good Luck to all!