To the editor:

The difference between 33 and 32 is 1. Let’s call 1 a small number. When you put the word billion behind that small number, it becomes huge. A billion is a million thousands. Nine hundred ninety-nine compared to 1 is enormous. When that small number 1 is followed by the word trillion, it equals the huge billion MORE than the enormous 999 huge billions.

In the House, there is a (small number of right wing holdouts) and the rest of the members. The two groups can’t agree on a funding package. When you understand simple arithmetic, which of the two groups seem more (level he...