For many people the holiday season is a time of escape, as we put aside our worries to focus on spending time with our family and taking some time off work.

But, for most people, it’s time to head back to work. And that includes members of the 112th Congress.

We hope that members of Congress heard the message sent by voters in November. People are concerned about the direction in which the nation is heading. Of utmost concern is a federal government that seemingly spends money just for the sake of spending it.

If you don’t think federal spending is out of control, just look at the U.S. National Debt Clock Web site. The site shows, in real time, just how fast the national debt is growing. In the blink of an eye, the national debt increases by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Each taxpayer’s share of the national debt is now $126,000.

How about this New Year’s resolution for Congress? Stop spending more money than you take in.

In Georgia, the Constitution mandates a balanced budget. That’s why the state budget has dropped from $21.1 billion in fiscal year 2009 to $17.9 billion in fiscal year 2011.

State lawmakers have proved that they can balance a budget. Now, it is time for the members of Congress to follow suit.

THE GRIFFIN DAILY NEWS