More revenue, and not budget cuts alone, needed to balance budget

Debate continues to rage in Congress of the U.S. budget and deficit. We face governmental shutdown over the lack of will to compromise. The framing of the debate have lead the American public to believe the we are broke, that there is no money to be found, and that we have spent beyond our means.

With a deficit in the trillions of dollars a party and ideological line rift has grown larger and larger, all over a miniscule amount when considering the entirety of the U.S. budget. The idea is that there is not enough money to cover our spending, and dramatic budget cuts across the board are the end all, save all.

Indeed, our nation has engaged in wasteful spending; even excessive spending. Indeed, their need to be a reevaluation in our priorities and our expenditures. Indeed, we need to make budget cuts. But to balance the budget cutting a little here, and a little more there, will not bring us out of this crisis.

The current discussion is lopsided, monopolized by the idea that budget cuts will bring us out of the red. We ought to pay more attention to the other side of the equation, sources of revenue. We some how have gained the misconception that our nation is broke. And if fact we, America as a whole, are far from it. There is more to America than its governing institutions. We are made of individuals, groups, and yes, corporations.

People tend to tip-toe around this discussion, afraid to hinder and over burden U.S. corporations. We fear that asking them to pay their dues will mean loss of jobs, out sourcing, and the collapse of the American economy. While families across the country struggle daily to make ends meet, and out government faces complete shutdown, U.S. corporations are sitting on trillions of dollars. Hordes of money are lying unused. Not invested and not providing jobs. Meanwhile, large corporations are dodging taxes by finding legal loopholes.

They blame the taxation system, saying it broken, crying that it isn’t their fault they’re seemingly immune to taxation. Despite their high priced lawyers and economic consultants, they have just accidently stumbled into the loopholes.

"No crime here," they say, "just plain ignorance and a broken system."

These tax loopholes and massive corporations are what we need to focus on if we are going to balance our budget. Yes, budget cuts are needed, but will only help as a supplement to sources of revenue. It is time that we demand that our corporations pay what they owe, to pay their dues, and to quit dodging their fair share. It is time that they rejoin the American public in making our country strong and great again.