>All I’ve said is lets start making the TAKERS go without first.
Fine. First define “takers”
Then figure out how much money that is (much less than you expect).
Then look at the budget projections for Social Security and Medicare. They are going to blow the budget and eat most of GDP before long unless some drastic stuff is done. It doesn’t matter if you pay 0$ in other government expenditures, those two programs will run off the rails in short order, and unless they are confronted, it makes no difference at all.
Those who take and don't give.
I'm well aware SS is mathematically unsustainable. I know where the US budget it spent.
I disagree with your phrase 'means test'. It smacks of marxist doublespeak. And I don't buy your justification for using it.
The system needs fixing, fit it. Don't enable it.