How would you balance the nation's budget? Would you cut healthcare expenditures? Other entitlements or military expenses?

At www.federalbalancingact.com, a Federal Budget Simulator gives us all a chance to tinker with the budget. But you may be surprised to see that even deep cuts, result in only nominal changes in the country's deficit.

Brenda Morrison of Engaged Public talks us through the budget simulator, as well as a tax receipt tool which shows how much of your household income goes toward paying of the deficit, by way of your tax contributions.

This simulator is a great tool for analyzing the proposals and campaign promises of our current presidential candidates, as well as for educating students about the reality of our nation's debt, and what our policy makers must consider in order to balance the budget.

Listen to the podcast of this show, and play along on the budget simulator - then share your thoughts in the comment section below.