BALANCE BUDGET THE ROSS PEROT WAY: YOU WON'T BE HONKING YOUR HORN

Ross Perot is long gone from the front pages, but he is not long gone from the presidential campaign. He still files petitions to be an official candidate in various states. He's already on 40 or so ballots and will be on most of the others by November. On a reduced basis, he keeps his headquarters and state field offices open. Chances are Perot is going to do something or say something between now and the election, but no one knows what.

He's said a lot already in his new book. If you truly want a balanced budget in the next four years, neither Bush nor Clinton will get you there. You have to support the Perot plan. But the stringency and inevitable unpopularity of Perot's proposals drove him from the presidential race. If you want real change and a balanced budget, you need a heavy dose of Perot medicine. Is it too tough for you?

Cut federal discretionary spending by 15 percent. Slash the NASA budget (cancel the space station), eliminate subsidies for big farms (that's where most agricultural production occurs), reduce somewhat all departmental spending (law enforcement, immigration, transportation, etc.). Good news: most any discretionary program you hate would be affected. Bad news: the same goes for the ones you love.

To achieve a balanced budget, other entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, would have to be "constrained" (that's the gentle word for "cut").

Impose an additional 50 cent per gallon gasoline tax (phased in over five years). All of the big, open-space states would oppose this. Anyone with a tight budget who needs a car for work would also object.

Increase income tax rate on well-to-do from 31 percent to 33 percent.

Substantially raise income taxes on Social Security recipients who earn more than $25,000, individually, or $35,000 as a couple. All of the old folks organizations would revolt over this.

Begin to phase out the home mortgage interest deduction with no interest to be deducted if the mortgage is over $250,000. Homeowners, realtors and home builders will be up in arms.

Eliminate a whole bunch of weapons programs, doing away with thousands of jobs. The McDonnell-Douglas C-17 would be one of many systems on the cut list.

Slash the entertainment deductions used by businesses.

Perot has done the country a service. Americans love to complain about the budget deficit. "I have to balance my budget, why can't the government do the same?" they ask. The government can do the same if the people are willing to accept the pain that goes with it. Are defense workers going to be happy about the elimination of their jobs? Are the elderly going to jump with joy about the increased taxation of their social security benefits and the reduction of their Medicare payments? Are homeowners going to be ecstatic as we embark on the road leading to elimination of their interest deduction on mortgages? Are car-happy Americans going to cheer when they fork over an additional 50 cent a gallon on gasoline?

Next time you fill 'er up, honk three times if you are in support of the Perot plan to balance the budget. Honk loud for change. Don't be embarrassed if you are honking alone.