The numbers in the US budget are way to big to comprehend, so one way to relate to them is by dividing everything by 100 million:

We have a family that is spending $38,200 per year. The family’s income is $21,700 per year. The family adds $16,500 in credit card debt every year in order to pay its bills. After a long and difficult debate among family members, keeping in mind that it was not going to be possible to borrow $16,500 every year forever, the parents and children agreed that a $380/year premium cable subscription could be terminated. So now the family will have to borrow only $16,120 per year.

Seems like a dumb situation right? And the situation is obvious – give up more things right? I think this is an oversimplification and dangerous. By the same logic, can you reduce the 300 million people in America to 3 people’s needs preferences?