These suggestions are not new, but they need to be mentioned loudly and often until they are achieved. But let us look now at the revenue side of the budget. Perhaps we could find an answer by contrasting the Federal fiscal structure with that of the States, for the States rarely have deficit problems. In my home State of Arizona, the legislature meets and appropriates the money it deems sufficient for all State agencies and functions. Then, and only then the taxing authorities meet, and by mandate of law, set tax rates sufficient to raise the amount appropriated.
Tax rates are flexible and depend entirely on the amount appropriated.
An unbalanced budget almost never occurs. The Federal rates are rigid and inflexible. Present Federal income tax rates were fixed by 1954 legislation. Subsequent Congresses have gone about the job of authorizing new programs and appropriating moneys for national needs. The amount required changes from year to year, but the tax rates, which determine the amount of revenue produced, never change, or rarely change.