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States can help tackle U.S. deficit problems

It is no wonder that Ohio Gov. John Kasich has been received so favorably on his multi-state tour on behalf of a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. More and more Americans are becoming aware that in Washington, they just don’t get the concept of living within one’s means.

Kasich, through the non-profit group Balanced Budget Forever, has visited several states to advocate adoption of an amendment that would require Congress and the president to stop adding to the national debt.

For the process to begin, 34 states would have to call for a constitutional convention. Any amendments suggested there would have to be ratified by at least 38 states.

Even with the minimal spending discipline called for under “sequester” rules that went into effect Jan. 1, 2013, the U.S. is on track for nearly $500 billion in deficit spending this year.

And President Barack Obama is proposing a record $4 trillion budget for the coming year. He has said one of his goals is to eliminate the sequester provisions. He wants no limits on spending.

Critics have said amending the Constitution is too radical and too risky a way of curbing deficit spending. But allowing Congress and the White House to keep adding to the $18.1 trillion national debt – with no restrictions – has its perils too.

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