Where are the Democrats on a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution? Why do they hide and run the other way when this subject comes up?

The federal government is in desperate need of some sort of enforced fiscal discipline. Both Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins currently are co-sponsors of a bill to create this, and it is long overdue.

Many states have a constitutional requirement for a balanced budget, as does Maine. The budget is based on what the projection of the revenues will be for the next two years, which is like looking into a crystal ball, but usually is amazingly accurate by the non-partisan group that also projects the costs of all legislative actions.

The facts are (U.S. Treasury figures) that in the year 2000, the Republicans gained the majority in Congress and the presidency and inherited a $5.6 trillion debt.

After the Democrats gained the majority in 2006, they inherited a $8.5 trillion debt. They have been in control since then and the nation is in a crisis at $14 trillion.

Congress determines all spending, not the president. The figures show that the Republicans increased the deficit by $2.9 trillion over a six-year period. In five years, the Democrats increased it by $5.5 trillion.

That should tell everyone which party wants more taxes so its members can continue their spending.

Thomas F. Shields, Auburn