Replies

""About 45% of federal government expenditure goes on just three programs; Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. We spend 20% on defense and general government, and about 15% on interest on debt. In other words, getting rid of public broadcasting and the National Endowment for the Arts will not allow for *meaningful* reductions in tax. We will have to look to where the money is spent, and that means the big programs. That is something that no *electable* party has the stomach for and something even the conservatives on this board (probably to the right of the "average" voter) do not have the stomach for.""

Last I checked there was no money in Social Security, was none last year and there will not be any next. Allot of that money went for other gov. expenditures, not even social security.

I believe you are minmizing the problem, it goes beyond just a % break out of expenses. You left out Local,state and federally mandated taxes. 30% federal another 20% State adds 60% to the total for a 50% Tax rate. Here in CT. They tax .42 per gallon on tax. 6% sales tax. Annual car and property Tax on and on. There are fewer services, bad roads, poor education. We are getting nothing of value in return, That's the problem

Americans can handle any demographic upheavel- the politicians, can not, they just waffle and melt under adversity. I think we are Playing into a deeper problem by taking the paths of least resistance is courting suicide.

The question becomes how eff. the monies are utilized. There is a huge amount of waste, total preoccupation with social issues and a failure to deal with anything real import. Our leaders have lost their way.

"About 45% of federal government expenditure goes on just three programs; Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid"

You forgot to add in the cost of Mexicare.

I agree with your points. I just trying to keep my reply to a manageable size. I hate those replies that go on, and on, and on, and on, to become longer than the original article.