There are other choices, namely not having central planning.
***Did Republicans ever have the filibuster proof majority our law demands, to change entitlement spending?***
Did they ever try? Beyond a few none of them cared in the Bush years. They offer a lot of lip service. A lot.
If you will go back and check, the Republicans and GWB did cut programs.
Beyond that, the harm GWB prevented by muzzling the EPA, OSHA, and so many other government regulators was immeasurable.
They are now unleashed.