[kabar]

I would add reform the entitlement programs, i.e., Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These programs already consume about half of the federal budget. They are on automatic pilot with annual increases tied to formulaic procedures that extend even beyond the influence of Congress.

Social Security pays more than $450 billion in benefits each year. If nothing is done, by 2060, the combination of Social Security and Medicare will account for more than 71 percent of the federal budget.---Source: Statement of Thomas R. Saving (PDF), Public Trustee of the Social Security Board of Trustees before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, July 29, 2003.

[mek1959]

Now you're talking. This is the real battle. Take away their (congress) money, and things will settle out. People have just lost touch with how much 3 TRILLION equals and how much power it gives them. They are an arrogant bunch up there and have no problem ramming there programs down our throats. Trust me, just look at the current chairmen - Dingle, Rangle, Minority Leader Reid, etc. Think they care about what you think? Remember Robert Maplethorpe and the NEA? How about the "Great War on Poverty" Or the "New Deal". None would have been possible if they didn't have the money. But we got rolled back in 1913 with this little gem: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.