I beg the Republicans to save themselves by distinguishing between cuts. Not all cuts are the same.
They can get major savings from some types of cuts, with some political repercussion, but not an intolerable amount. And it will be remembered that they did the right thing, and it was for the benefit of us all.
However, there are minor savings they *could* get from other types of cuts, that could get them savaged, politically. These are not worth it, and it might even be to their benefit if they considered small *increases* to these, even while cutting the rest.
In the former case, look at Social Security. Not too long ago, it was proposed that “means testing” be used for recipients, which raised a hostile outcry, so was discarded. I agree, because it was too direct.
Instead, they could turn this into a virtue. Instead of renewing the Bush tax cuts, tell SS recipients that have other income or money, that instead of taking the SS money due them, they can *instead* get a tax deduction slightly *larger* than the money they were due.
They will actually get a little more money this way, while leaving more money in the SS system for others, those who don’t have other income or savings. As such, this will do a LOT to restore the SS system to solvency.
At the same time, they should shut down the “front door” of SS, for everyone but its original intended members, minimum wage workers with no other source of income. For everybody else entering the work force, they are no longer part of the SS system.
This is a positively *friendly* way to get SS back into order, and will hardly register in making enemies. High return, low punishment.
Alternatively, the type of cut the Republicans should not, under any circumstance, make, because it is both irrational and will get them severely punished, is food stamps.
To start with, America is awash with food. If the Republicans can set back that dumbass waste of corn, converting it into ethanol, we will easily be back to wasting hundreds of tons of food every year.
Oddly enough, by giving that food away before it rots, actually *saves* money, because otherwise it has to be expensively warehoused. And it doesn’t hurt retailers, because surplus food has minimal processing. People who can afford their food prefer processed food.
But if the Republicans do something dumb, and cut back on food stamps, they will make enemies for generations. They will convert entire families to support the Democrats. And it won’t save a dime.
If anything, the Republicans should be the “Cornucopia” party for the unemployed and hungry. Every food bank in the US should be bulging at the seams with free government surplus food, with a multicolored elephant stamped on it.
An incredibly cheap way to get future generations of people voting for Republicans.
I beg the Republicans to save themselves by distinguishing between cuts. Not all cuts are the same.
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You are right, not all cuts are the same, but, if you cut all the spending except social security and Medicare there would still be a deficit. All the money coming in in all the taxes the government collects will not pay for these two programs alone.
In a few months I will be old enough to collect social security. I paid into it all my life, I am angry that my money is not there. I was smart enough to save for my retirement in case the social security was not there so I will not be terribly hurt but just the same a few thousand dollars extra a month would be very handy.
I see no way to fix this other than putting off the retirement age. Just saying this publicly will get a politician crucified but that is the ONLY way we can be solvent. If and when this happens I will be mad as hell but I guess I already am so what difference does it make.
If you ever vote for a democrat you need to have your head examined. They have nearly destroyed this country and may succeed in doing so yet.
I don’t know if you can tell but I am very angry. I hope that a large majority of voters are also very angry and punish those that have done this to us.