Balance the budget? Here's a credible, bipartisan attempt:
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/federal-budget-statistics-1110

Taxation strategies are good, wonky conversation. If you haven't read about the "Fair Tax" (e.g. Huckabee) version, I find it super interesting:

http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_main
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The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. -John Buchan