There is a reason I didn't link your comment, though I'm not sure if you realize we are in agreement: Slashing Social Security and Medicare (along with Health) would go a long way towards balancing the sheets.
But of course, even those three combined are still 49% (less than half) of government expenditures. Even adding the military still only accounts for 63%.
Just FY2024 alone we were $1.83 trillion dollars short.[1] Cuts must happen from everywhere in government in order to bring sense back into the balance sheets. Also importantly, cuts must happen in order to make tax increases actually palatable to the electorate.
Cuts alone won't balance the cash flow, the revenue (taxes, et al.) must also increase and for that to happen taxes must be hiked and for that to be palatable the government must first lead by example in fiscal discipline by cutting expenditures wholesale.
DOGE is an unprecedented first step because their job is to bring the presumed-frivolous-by-some nature of government expenditures to light and prove them frivolous period. Actual cuts must come from the House who are tasked with the power of the purse and the Executive who are tasked with executing the budget, DOGE doesn't have any authority itself.
For once Republicans are declaring they really will pursue Small Government, I want to see that happen because we've never so much as tried. I'm sick and tired of Big Government and want to see another world, even if cuts will be fucking painful.
But of course, even those three combined are still 49% (less than half) of government expenditures. Even adding the military still only accounts for 63%.
Just FY2024 alone we were $1.83 trillion dollars short.[1] Cuts must happen from everywhere in government in order to bring sense back into the balance sheets. Also importantly, cuts must happen in order to make tax increases actually palatable to the electorate.
Cuts alone won't balance the cash flow, the revenue (taxes, et al.) must also increase and for that to happen taxes must be hiked and for that to be palatable the government must first lead by example in fiscal discipline by cutting expenditures wholesale.
DOGE is an unprecedented first step because their job is to bring the presumed-frivolous-by-some nature of government expenditures to light and prove them frivolous period. Actual cuts must come from the House who are tasked with the power of the purse and the Executive who are tasked with executing the budget, DOGE doesn't have any authority itself.
For once Republicans are declaring they really will pursue Small Government, I want to see that happen because we've never so much as tried. I'm sick and tired of Big Government and want to see another world, even if cuts will be fucking painful.
[1]: https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/natio...