[TomGuy]

Is there any way to cut the budget to balance in one year therefore avoiding the necessity to raise the debt ceiling?

Doubtful, as the cutting would have to be severe, and they won't do that. Even the $2.4 Trillion Obama supposedly mentioned would cut $240 Billion per year. Hefty, but the debt is multi-Trillions.

The offset is that the Obama Admin wants to spend more $$$, too. So, any decrease in spending would be offset by more spending -- on infrastructure and stuff, of course.

All this wrangling by both sides is nothing more than mixing the varieties of beans in the can. When it is finished, the spending will continue, and the current state of affairs will muddle along until the next budget fight.

[rodguy911]

..........all this wrangling on both sides is nothing more than mixing the varieties of beans in the can......

I hate to think that that's where all this is going but I really don't see anything else that will pass all three branches on the horizon.

As Rush has stated in the past we only control one branch of govt.