Common sense is simple.  Get control of the budget for starters.  It is plainly obvious that we cannot spend twice as much as they take in tax revenue in perpetuity.  Now, I don't think the budget will get fixed anytime soon but that is where to start.  A balanced budget amendment and repeal of the 16th Amendment are the first things I would work for.  The largest problem is big government and starving the beast is the way to force it to shrink.