Again, at the end of the day the US has an abnormally low tax rate, so it is not surprising that Americans find it so hard to balance the budget. Taxes need to rise.
The abnormally low tax rate and the deficit spending it fuels are another example of Americans attempting to live beyond their means. You want a big military and lots of subsidies to your businesses and your lifestyles--but you don't want to pay for them.
The tax rise would mean a reduction in consumption, or a need to work more. A cut to consumption and an increase in productivity is EXACTLY what the US needs to end its international spending problem--which is a net, national spending problem, not really just a government one. You don't like the idea of a tax rise because it would mean individuals would consume less-- buying fewer cars, smaller houses, and fewer HD and 3D TV's, or longer working days, or both.
Underpaying tax is simply one of several ways that Americans attempt to live beyond their means. Sorry I know that's not a popular message and no American politician can win an election on it--that's why you're ultimately a little bit fucked. Your political system is impoverished and is incapable of having a real discussion about the issues of the day. Any politician who brings up this necessary topic--tax rises--is going to be roasted alive by a series of idiotic, ignorant, and stupid sound bites that don't make sense, but will win votes. In the end it will thoroughly bankrupt you, until reality is so unavoidable that you will be forced--far more painfully by then--to confront the issue.