by Philip Kitcher

” … Republicans have insisted that they want ‘structural’ fiscal changes in exchange for voting to raise
the borrowing cap, but they have so far declined to offer a cohesive plan outlining what programs
they would cut.”
—The New York Times

Lord, we cry out in despair.
We have tried to trim expense:
Should we cut back on defense?
Take an axe to Medicare?
Now we turn to You and plead:
Waive the laws You have decreed!
Grant the miracle we need!

Even in a balanced budget,
Many handouts must remain,
Or our voters will complain.
We can find no way to fudge it—
Calculations make us sick.
Teach us, Lord, some simple trick!
Save us from arithmetic!