The only thing I don't understand is when reducing the deficit was considered a good enough goal.  As an individual who is financially responsible, I want to reduce my debt as much as possible unless it's making money for me.  I expect the government to spend my money wisely and not tell me that their goal in a couple of years is to get to the point where their spending is the same as their revenues, and then after that, figure out how to pay off the debt and interest later.  If the government was a child of mine, I would cut him off right away.