(06-16-2017, 10:38 AM)MalabarJag Wrote: This.

It's possible to cut future entitlements, such as raising the retirement age. That was done in the 1980s, so there's precedent. Eliminating whole government agencies would help a lot, but that's another thing with no chance of happening. I'm still an advocate of the Fair Tax. That has no chance either.

Exactly.

If the cuts focus not only on entitlements, but also on legitimately cutting back the size of government, there are a couple of departments that could be significantly scaled back or eliminated all together in favor of passing those functions back to the states.  Unfortunately, the departments that would be most likely targeted will never be cut because of the political clout they wield.  I don't care if the country was literally bankrupt, they'd fight tooth and nail to stay alive.

The Fair Tax plan is a terrific idea that will never see the light of day.  It's kind of like the Penny Plan where they were simply asked to cut 1% for every dollar they budgeted.  One percent was deemed too steep a "cut".

---