[Brett66]

If they only spent based on what they brought in the previous year, they wouldn’t have a deficit. Why can’t they do this and stop “projecting”?

[kabar]

The entitlement programs are unsustainable. In FY 2010 we brought in about $2.2 trillion in revenue, which is only about enough to cover the entitlement programs and the interest costs to service the national debt. We spent $3.5 trillion.

By 2030, one in every five residents of this country will be 65 or older or about twice what it is now. Ergo, the entitlement costs will increase. In the meantime, the number of workers to support the system will decline. In 1950 there were 16 workers for every retiree; today there are 3.3; and by 2030 there will be two.

The deficit will increase and so will the national debt unless we get the entitlement programs under control. Eventually, the costs will consume the entire budget.