America's debt problem

So the budget deficit is to hit $1.5 trillion this year, increasing the public debt to $14.3 trillion plus ("Budget deficit to hit $1.5T," January 27, 2011, page 5A).

What should be done? For starters, let's try (1) cutting spending, (2) increasing revenue, (3) rejecting the increase in the debt limit, and (4) enacting a Constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget.

Do the Congress and the president have the guts to do it? No.

BILL BURLISON, Wardell, Mo.