The solution: Freeze all spending, tax deductions, and tax rates at their present levels. Adjustments can be made only with approval by a super-majority of Congress. With expenditures frozen, the budget deficit immediately will begin shrinking because tax revenue increases with any growth of the economy.
All spending programs, tax deductions, and tax rates were established to meet some need. All are supported by a substantial segment of our society. To cut or change only the ones that one party opposes is inherently divisive because it creates winners and losers.
But as the freeze years pass, we the people will reach consensus on who truly needs government help and who is less deserving. Funds then can be redirected to the highest priority needs -- or new revenue can be legislated.