Someone is going to need to level with American people.
We are 9 trillion in debt, with another 60 trillion in unfunded liabilities (Soc. Security, and Medicare) this means we can not afford the entitlements we have today without doubling taxes. So, we certainly can not afford more entitlements.
After the honesty we appeal to their optimism and their individualism that their futures are in their hands and that they can make it on thier own and they are going to have to because the American government is essentially bankrupt.
This may not be the message they want, but it's the truth.
I thought Bush tried that with Social Security. The Congress really jumped on that issue didn't they?