Ed Feulner: “Let’s say you were a financial adviser, and a family came to you with the following situation. They make the median family income in the United States – $52,000. But last year they spent $61,000. That’s right, $9,000 more than they’re making, and it all went on the family credit card. That’s bad enough, but then you find out they already have $311,000 in debt. Would you say they have a problem? I wish I could say this family was made up. Actually, this particular household isn’t real. But the ‘family’ in this scenario is the federal government, and the amounts at stake are in the billions, not the thousands. The ratio of overspending, however, is accurate. So is the fact that the money they’re being so careless with is our tax dollars. … Yet what does Congress normally do come budget time? Raises the debt ceiling. That’s government-speak for ‘get a higher credit card limit.’ Except you and I would have to go, hat in hand, to our credit card company and ask if they’ll raise it (even assuming it was a responsible thing to do). Not federal lawmakers. They just vote to raise the debt ceiling, and presto – problem solved. Well, not solved. Kicked down the road. That is what passes for ‘solved’ these days. But it shouldn’t. … So what’s your financial advice? Perhaps it’s time to let Congress know.”