A balanced budget works well for families but business does not operate with balanced budgets as many look for tax breaks or federal bail outs to survive. The government has rarely operated with a balanced budget and needs the flexibility of deficit spending to stimulate the economy when it needs to. Government can create opportunity with this spending and has the power to print currency to expand the supply of money if need be. Prudent use of deficit spending and monetary supply can stimulate growth and control inflation. Never treat or think of a Federal budget like a family budget. Politicians only do that when they want your vote. Watch their votes to see what they think about balanced budgets. You do not cut taxes, raise defense spending or beat the drum for war on a balanced budget.