[rogue yam]

All this talk of cutting spending is fine but we will not avoid financial catastrophe unless we reform entitlements (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) and absolutely slash the regulatory state.

We need lower taxes, fewer regulations and a balanced budget. Getting real on entitlements is essential to accomplishing this.

[Milhous]

"All this talk of cutting spending"

It's just talk. When it comes to funding, most politicians spend like drunken sailors. (Sorry about impugning drunken sailors.) Most politicians are only too happy to green light Helicopter Ben.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”All this talk of cutting spending is fine but we will not avoid financial catastrophe unless we reform entitlements (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) and absolutely slash the regulatory state..... Getting real on entitlements is essential to accomplishing this.”

Don't disagree, But that leads me into a few of my favorite SS points:

Point 1 : Is related to this thread. You cannot touch SS as long as no-one (or very few) will admit there is no SS trust fund. As long as this myth is allowed to exist (and Dems are citing the CBO), there is no moral authority to cut SS again.

Point 2 : You cannot cut SS until you cut other programs and spending Federal workers pay/benefits. You cannot look as though you are making SS recipients, most who paid huge FICA taxes for it, pay for the DC spending orgy.

Point 3: If Republicans unilaterally rammed through a SS reform bill, like Obama-care was, Pelosi would be the next House Speaker

This is the political reality.