The seriousness with which the Democrats and Republicans are facing our deficit problem is akin to Thelma and Louise arguing over which song to play.
For 2011, the U.S. government borrowed $1.27 trillion. In 2012, it borrowed another $1.1 trillion, bringing its total debt to $16 trillion ($20 trillion by 2020).
No, the government cannot print its way out of borrowed money. And, no, we do not just owe this money to ourselves. Both the blame game and no-new-taxes Grover Norquist need to be gone.
Republicans should admit to their failed policies and give President Barack Obama his tax increases, and then remind him in his own words that the math still does not add up.
Taxing the wealthy to the tune of $1.6 trillion over 10 years will not solve the problem. Nor will the Republican plan to eliminate some deductions. Both parties need to approve tax increases and serious spending cuts and entitlement reform.
Or we can keep fiddling with the radio as we fly off the cliff.
Chad Harper
Salt Lake City