balance the budget and not raise the debt ceiling. We, the people, have to balance our checkbooks. Why shouldn't DC?

It's time for politicians to stop worrying about party affiliation and start worrying about people. The financial cliff was avoided for the government, but they have pushed all US Citizens to their financial cliff. This wasn't a win--our taxes have gone up yet again. For every $50,000.00 of annual income, we will all need to pay an additional $1,000.00 in taxes in 2013. Think about it in the case of a car: We pay payroll taxes, then we purchase a car and pay taxes on the car; we fill it will gas and pay taxes on the gas; we take it in for service and pay taxes on the services and parts; we sell the car used and pay taxes again! Come on. We are all paying more that 50% of our checks in taxes anyway! D.C. needs to be accountable to the people. Consumption tax & a balanced budget!