How bad is it?

[cstone]

I was actually using that as an example of making small cuts add up to larger cuts. I am sure there are much better examples of flat out waste spending.

I believe the point is that we cannot cut discretionary spending enough to fix the problem. The interest on the debt, which most of us look at as a mandatory expense, takes almost a third of our annual revenue. Without looking at operating expenses, which is where everyone agrees there is some waste and redundancy, we must look at the other mandatory expenses. The principal categories are Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and pensions for retired federal employees. If we can't agree to cut one of these three "sacred cows" then we will NEVER be able to restore fiscal solvency in this nation.

The fate of Greece will make our future look like a match next to a bonfire.

In the words of the dolphins; "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish."

[tmleadr03]

I believe the point is that we cannot cut discretionary spending enough to fix the problem. The interest on the debt, which most of us look at as a mandatory expense, takes almost a third of our annual revenue. Without looking at operating expenses, which is where everyone agrees there is some waste and redundancy, we must look at the other mandatory expenses. The principal categories are Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and pensions for retired federal employees. If we can't agree to cut one of these three "sacred cows" then we will NEVER be able to restore fiscal solvency in this nation.

The fate of Greece will make our future look like a match next to a bonfire.

In the words of the dolphins; "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish."

The answer to our problems is 42.