I support Obama on this and would also like him to install a VAT and raise gasoline to European levels.
Why? Simply because the alternative (a totally crashed US dollar) is much, much, worse. If Americans (including half of FReepers) are not willing to budge an inch on Social Security and Medicare (i.e., make it means-tested), then the we might as well suck it up and start actually paying for it. We’ll be MUCH BETTER off that way.