News from CBS that has the Treasury Department stating the national debt has now increased to more than $14.5 trillion should be a wake up call to serious people.

The only problem is that elected officials are more concerned with short-term politics than long-term solutions.

As the debt super-committee prepares to meet, this massive liability hangs over its proceedings.

To put the size of the debt and its rapid growth into perspective, the Los Angeles Times reports that it is growing $2.95 million a minute.

Here are some additional facts that should make anyone shudder:

How much is a billion?  “One billion-seconds ago Bill Clinton was nearing the end of his two terms and George W. Bush’s baseball collection was still on shelves in the Austin governor’s office.”

How much is a trillion?  “One trillion-seconds ago much of North America was still covered by ice sheets hundreds of feet thick.”

When Congress returns, business as usual and political gamesmanship must be set aside.  For the sake of our nation, Washington must find ways to cut spending and live within its means.