Is it possible to balance the federal or state budget, or do extreme measures need to be implemented?

Is it really possible to balance the federal or state budget, or do extreme measures need to be implemented? We have seen our state, county, and town leaders "give away the store" due to their inability to understand the long-term effects on the public, their self-interests and greater concern with getting votes. Now, we are all paying for their failures. There are hundreds of examples of how members of Congress continue to vote on their own behalf for pay raises, lifetime health care, no term limits, etc. Here's an idea. In every congressional district there should be a committee of the people, who elected them, to oversee the perks our House Representatives and Senators have passed for their own benefit. Committee members could be empowered to approve or deny those measures. As for our counties and towns, why should it take a builder/developer months to go through the process of securing permits? Here's another idea for this protracted process which impedes progress, job creation and holds well-intended businesses hostage by towns and counties that have created a system that stymies growth. Why can't there be an application system, where applications are reviewed by the local planning department on a weekly basis. With the existing system, there is no reason to submit an application, knowing in advance that it will be denied. In the current process, there is a 30-day wait and then a strong possibility that the application will have to be resubmitted, revised, and again resubmitted. There is no reason why zoning, permits and variances cannot be resolved in a timely manner. Since we have planning departments whose members have the necessary knowledge and experience, there should be no need to go to the planning board, where more time is wasted. Go directly to the town board for final approval or denial. Under the current system, one can lose between 60 to 90 days waiting for a response on your application. I am not suggesting that development and permits be rushed through the system, however, there has to be a better method for obtaining responses and approvals in a more timely manner. The months that it now takes to proceed through the application process add considerable expenses to a project, from legal and labor, to material and carrying costs. A related thought - the town's codes should be reviewed on a three to five year basis. As methods of doing business change, so should the town codes affecting our progress evolve. For example, imagine a company whose trucks are not allowed to be parked overnight on the company's own property due to the lack of a permit? The municipalities need to update their vision and appoint leaders who are concerned with what is right for the community or county, instead of worrying about politics as usual. Recently, a town, which shall remain nameless, denied a zone change for a building that was previously used for the same use. The company requesting the zone change will be creating 110 new jobs and applying the facility for an environmentally acceptable use. The civics were behind the negative response, but politics had a huge role. The Republicans accused the Democrats of taking donations from the applicant. Those that were in favor of the zone change then turned their backs on the applicant, ran for cover, and the application was denied We have to get our leaders in tow and hold them accountable for decisions that are progressive and growth-oriented for our towns and counties. The time has come where our municipalities need to operate like efficient private companies by eliminating unnecessary departments and wasteful spending. Privatize certain departments, which will ultimately save money and create efficiency. Government is now too big, resulting in log jams of paperwork and process that take months to clear. The new model going forward should reflect a process of accountability and streamlined operations. We have to change the way politics works. Wouldn't it be great if there were no political parties, no nepotism, no partisanship and just people that want to get things done? Stay tuned... Ralph Perna is executive managing director for Newmark Knight Frank, Melville, N.Y.