As a former member of the Ohio Senate and having a family of my own, I have spent plenty of time balancing budgets. But in my lifetime of 46 years, the federal government has only managed to balance its budget three times. Clearly, our federal government has a systemic problem which deserves a systemic solution, a Balanced Budget Amendment.

Budgets are not new concepts, but an unprecedented national debt that stands over $14 trillion and growing—more than 95 percent of our entire economy—is very new to us. Children born in the United States today already owe more than $46,000 as their individual share of the national debt to our creditors, like China. Imagine if you lived outside of your family’s means by spending reckless amounts of money, charging numerous credit cards to the maximum amount, and ignoring the bills that keep a roof over your family’s head. You simply could not sustain a healthy way of life for yourself or your family.

We face this tough economy not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans. Our debt crisis cannot be blamed on one President or one party, because it was created by years of uncontrolled spending and borrowing. However, now is the time for a serious measure that balances our budget and works to fix this pending disaster.

A common-sense solution to this problem is a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution. When this amendment is taken up in Congress later this year, I plan to support it. We hold ourselves to living within our means at home, and now it is time to truly hold Washington to the same standard. 

You can learn more about the Balanced Budget Amendment at www.AmericaSpeakingOut.com. If you have any questions about my stance on the Balanced Budget Amendment, or need my assistance with any federal issues, please feel free to contact my Central Ohio District Office at 614-771-4968.