You fix the budget deficit

It's easy to criticize. Now you're in charge.

The New York Times has created a slick little interactive tool that displays different solutions to the country's projected budget deficits.

• Raise the Social Security retirement age to 70? You shave $247 billion off the 2030 projected deficit.
• Allow the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy to expire? You shave off $115 billion

The tool gives you a clear picture of which measures put a big dent in the deficit, and which ones are a drop in the bucket. They also show you how a combination of measures are necessary if the deficit is to be tackled.

So go ahead, see if you can wipe out the deficit, and then ask yourself, "can I get myself re-elected, or did I dissappoint my base?"

By the way, if you're interested in making a contribution to reduce the debt yourself. Here's what the U.S. Treasury Department says you can do:

• You can make a contribution online either by credit card, checking or savings account at Pay.gov
• You can write a check payable to the Bureau of the Public Debt, and in the memo section, notate that it's a Gift to reduce the Debt Held by the Public. Mail your check to:
  
  
  
  Attn Dept G
  
  Bureau of the Public Debt
  
  P. O. Box 2188
  
  Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188

Can anyone out there write a check big enought to take up one of the little blocks?