Once again California has a budget deficit and arguments ring out throughout the capitol. Is the deficit caused because we spend too much or because we tax too little? In the rallying cries of the day, depending which side you’re on, we either have a revenue problem or we have a spending problem.

To help decide this issue we assembled a panel of experts to give their opinions from their unique perspectives. Putting this panel together wasn’t easy. Let’s just say we had to go a long, long way….

First, Mark Twain, let’s start off with you. You watched government closely over the years. Do you have any recollections about how any government dealt with taxing and spending?

TWAIN: “That was a fine collection of sovereigns, that first Nevada Legislature. They levied taxes to the amount of thirty or forty thousand dollars and ordered expenditures to the extent of about a million.”

I see. So this kind of practice we see here in California has been going on for some time. Do you care to comment Will Rogers?

ROGERS: “Of course we know our government is costing us more than its worth, but do you know of any cheaper government that's running around? Do you? If you do, they'll sell you a ticket there anytime. You can try Russia! There's no income tax in Russia, but there's no income.”

Interesting point, sir, although Russia has changed a bit, especially if you own an oil well. But, the real question is: How did we get into this situation? Is the problem the way our government is set up? How would you answer that Thomas Jefferson?

JEFFERSON: “Our general government may be reduced to a very simple organization, and a very unexpensive one -- a few plain duties to be performed by a few servants."

Well, we certainly haven’t followed that model. Of course, times have changed since you said that. The question is, Henry David Thoreau, do you think this mess can be fixed by the governor and legislature?

THOREAU: "I went to the store the other day to buy a bolt for our front door, for as I told the storekeeper, the governor was coming here. 'Aye,' said he, 'and the legislature, too.' Then I will take two bolts, said I. He said that there had been a steady demand for bolts and locks of late, for our protectors were coming."

That’s not very encouraging. With the two parties digging in, neither side wants to budge, is this budget mess so intractable that it can’t be fixed? Is there a solution Everett Dirksen?

DIRKSEN: “Sometimes in politics you must rise above principle.”

Is that our only hope? Well, thank you all for your comments. And, if you have the time and would like to hang around to see how this budget crisis works out, please do … but it might take a while.