This is not a failure of merely Democrats or Republicans. It's a collective failure of all politicans and every voter in this country.

Republicans have taken a blood oath to never increase taxes under any circumstances and for any reason whatsoever while Dems are afraid raising taxes means they will lose the next election. So, keep punting . . .

Meanwhile, the fringe right screams about the increased spending and the "government takeover" of health care, but don't you dare cut their Medicare or Social Security benefits.

Until voters demand that the government fix its fiscal situation, nothing will be done. I anticipate that will happen only upon a fiscal calamity (i.e., defaulting on the debt) before anything is done. That's to be expected with an attitude of: "Why should I pay for these gov't services? Someone else should."