Balancing on Edge of Nonsense : Budget amendment is mainly an excuse not to face the real problem

If Congress and the President approve a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget, they will only have themselves to blame when public cynicism explodes. The American people are not stupid. Simple common sense dictates that operating the government in the black after so many years in the red would mean enormous pain and sacrifice. (This year’s budget deficit of $400 billion will bring the total national debt to a staggering $4.1 trillion!)

Yet both President Bush and Congress blithely overlook the fact that a balanced-budget amendment would require paralyzing cuts in government programs including Social Security and Medicare, not to mention the imposition of huge tax increases. Imagine the economic repercussions.

Such an amendment is unnecessary: The Administration already has the power to submit a balanced federal budget, and Congress can vote for one any time it wants. The energies of both would be better spent beginning the process of actually balancing the budget. In short, put aside the political theatrics and get to the problem.

The House of Representatives begins debate today on balanced-budget amendment bills. A vote is scheduled for Thursday. The measure getting the most attention is one by Rep. Charles W. Stenholm (D-Tex.) that would require Congress to balance the budget unless 60% of both houses agree to deficit spending. The Senate is considering a similar measure, backed by Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.).

A balanced-budget amendment must be passed by two- thirds of each house and ratified by 38 states. It would take effect in 1997 at the earliest. Supporters of the idea have been noticeably silent on what happens in the meantime.

House Speaker Thomas S. Foley is more realistic. The Washington Democrat warned Tuesday that a balanced-budget amendment would likely have unforeseen negative consequences and “we would become a weaker nation both at home and abroad.”

Congress and the President are using a balanced-budget amendment as easy political cover in an election year. That’s irresponsible. They should, instead, get serious and work out a real solution.