Tax Hikes, Fewer Benefits Key to Federal Deficit Crisis Fix

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The government has grown because of non-government entities who are both domestic and international. These groups give money to our elected officials and expect and get favors. Everyone involved increases their access to the people's money and our money is re-distributed.
This places everything in doubt. Are we fighting a war for the U. S. or are we just like a paid army fighting for corporations benefit. Does Medicare and Medicaid increase the money supply which doctors and hospitals increase cost to absorb.
Are we not supplying enough doctors and medical people because the AMA sees a monetary benefit to themselves, to control the number of doctors in this country. Is the educational system broken for U. S. citizens but allowing foreign students to flourish here.
It is time to buy back our representative government and restrict these people from being bought.

Joe Pine of NM 10:30AM November 22, 2010

Another dirty little White House secret: if the Bush Tax cuts are extended for everyone our 2011 federal deficit will be $1.5T. Because entitlements consume 75% of all federal taxes today and entitlement costs are growing at 10% a year they will consume 100% of all taxes by 2013, leaving us with $1.5T+ deficits throughout this decade.
It's time President Obama realize our economic house is on fire and broker a plan to eliminate the deficit. Where is his judgment and sense of urgency?

R Blackmon of VA 1:04AM November 22, 2010

This tactic, unspoken or rarely articulated, has been around since the Ragean era if not before. Push tax cuts, hamper regulation, accept spending, unfetter foreign trade, do not consider the costs of massive invasions of foreign nations and watch the national debt soar. Then proclaim "the sky is falling", rub your hands together and slash the government, eliminate entitlements, close departments, cut taxes, and move to Patagonia. "Mission Accomplished"! If people cannot buy bread let them eat cake. "Apre moi le Deluge". I have a confortable life.

Jack Leopold of FL 10:37PM November 21, 2010

The Federal Government since 1910 has grown over 6500% while population even with the illegal immigration has grown only 300%. The federal government finds thing to do at the expense of our Constitution to justify this pernicious growth. raising taxes is the fuel that pays this very expensive entity.
Corporations quickly learn that wages, benefits and other employee cost is approximately 70% on average to total overhead. Our government employees are making more in salary and vastly more in benefits than the civilian workforce. Have we heard one word about 55 year retirement ages in Government pensions? That benefit is paid by the same taxpayer that sees their retirement age from Social Security being raised to 68 years. That's a 13 year deficit.
A solution is to Freeze government growth for five to ten years. Devolve the Federal processes that don't belong back to the States including education, medicare and Social Security. If one doesn't like the States handling they can move!
You can't easily move out of our country although many have diversified from the dollar because of Mr. Bernanke's exploits on monetization. It is also sad to see Bankruptcy laws well defined not applied to companies that created derivatives and Credit Default Swaps (CDS), a $55 trillion dollar unregulated market). Then, by gambling volatility, abused the public's trust and funds. The last two presidents have not done well in their approval of Federal Reserve and Corporate actions.
PS The Financial Bill does nothing to prevent further ongoing gambling in these markets. Nor does it separate consumer funds from leveraged gambling funds in any efficient manner. It did not separate Bank from trading company. This may well happen again.

Matthew Burns of FL 11:11AM November 21, 2010

The Fed is increasing the deficit by adding the stimulus, and sowing the seeds of inflation for generations to come with current interest rates near zero.
Bernanke, Geithner, and Obama, with all their advanced degrees have failed to learn one simple lesson of history from the Great Depression and Kennedy era.
That is, government simply cannot spend its way out of a recession, and only creates deficits by trying. The Economy is stronger than the policical system, despite the arrogance of big government advocates.

R. Lamson of TX 6:36PM November 20, 2010

I recommend that congress reduce spending first. Reduce the size of the federal government. Reduce entitlement spending.
Then consider raising taxes.
I do not trust our congress with the money gained from increased taxes. I am afraid they will continue to spend the accrued money and follow the path they have followed up to now.

Homer Fuller of AZ 5:44PM November 20, 2010

Islam has been at war with the world for the better part of 1200 years. They will only stop when all are either converted or killed. I suggest you read a few non-p.c. history books and knock off the campfire song philosophy. Look into the darkness and understand that they are there - waiting - and that they will come for us if we slumber too deeply.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 1:53PM November 20, 2010

Great article !! My add on.... Bring ALL the Military HOME from everywhere. The USA should Declare PEACE with the World.... Then we will have NO Enemies and NO Terrorists..... Then Secure the Borders !!!! and Then Take Care Of AMERICA !!!!!

Pam Kiriaji of MA 12:17PM November 20, 2010

If there is to be any tax aimed specifically at debt reduction, then it MUST be dedicated solely to paying down that debt, and NOT go into the general budget for congress to screw around with.

Don of TX 9:07AM November 20, 2010

Any plan that relies heavily on regressive sales taxes will burden the lower and middle classes excessively. Simpson-Bowles is far superior in that regard.

Scot of MN 2:07AM November 20, 2010