I think $budget < 0 would be better. However, that strategy is a recipe for disaster. (Just the fact that there are still deficits in many countries' finances should be proof enough that it cannot work.)
Having a deficit is useful because it can keep inflation down. Deficits at the federal level aren't a big deal, because the government can always take out a loan in the form of a Bond. As long as the government can keep paying the interest on them, it's OK. A US Savings Bond is the most secure investment in the world for the very good reason that the US has never defaulted on any of its loans.
"Fixing the deficit problem" is something that sounds good during elections, but everyone in Washington knows that keeping it around is too useful to just throw it away even if they could.
---- : () { :|:& };:
Note: All code is untested, unless otherwise stated