I hear what you are saying.
However by and large, we have been under a full assault from this current Regime and Congress ever since the 2006 elections that put the RATs in charge of Congress.
True, we get the occasional bone tossed our way but the losses have far outweighed the “victories”.
How many hits have the “Santa Claus” programs taken?
The only way to control the Federal budget is to require it to grow no more than the percent cola they issue to social security recipients....the entire budget held to the fake inflation rate.
The Fed will allow some departments to grow 6%, and others 10%, and other's 0%. I think it is totally at whim. Supposedly, 7% is the average, and the "zero base' excuse is that they've got to keep up with cost increases to stay zero base.
It might anger them so much that they go ahead and give seniors a 7% raise, but I seriously doubt it.