Do Republicans really want to trim the deficit by cutting entitlements?

[Mursilis]

What this country needs to do, just to get started, is to force every member of the Senate, House, and the President, to answer the simple question: "Do you want a balanced budget?" No discussion about specific programs, no argument about cutting this versus cutting that, just force them to go on record stating whether or not they support this goal. If they do not support it, they must justify why not. Start out knowing what they're motivations are. And if they lie about it, then they'll eventually be exposed as liars.

Politicians don't want a balanced budget because they're elected by people who don't really want a balanced budget. Sure, the average person might say they do, but not if it means either paying more in taxes or receiving less in benefits. Most people want to lose weight, but most do not want to diet or exercise. Same thing when it comes to the budget.

 

[zsdersw]

Republicans won't cut farm subsidies and the military, Democrats won't cut Medicare/Medicaid/SS.

To Republicans, Medicare/Medicaid/SS are "entitlements". Farm subsidies and the military are "essential" and must never be cut.

To Democrats, farm subsidies and the military are "entitlements". Medicare/Medicaid/SS are "essential" and must never be cut.

Neither Democrats nor Republicans are willing to cut their own entitlements, only those of their political opponents.

That's the essence of it.

 

[Mursilis]

Republicans won't cut farm subsidies and the military, Democrats won't cut Medicare/Medicaid/SS.

To Republicans, Medicare/Medicaid/SS are "entitlements". Farm subsidies and the military are "essential" and must never be cut.

To Democrats, farm subsidies and the military are "entitlements". Medicare/Medicaid/SS are "essential" and must never be cut.

Neither Democrats nor Republicans are willing to cut their own entitlements, only those of their political opponents.

That's the essence of it.

In the past, plenty of Dems from rural districts supported farm subsidies. As Tip O'Neill once said, all politics is local.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Republicans won't cut farm subsidies and the military, Democrats won't cut Medicare/Medicaid/SS.

To Republicans, Medicare/Medicaid/SS are "entitlements". Farm subsidies and the military are "essential" and must never be cut.

To Democrats, farm subsidies and the military are "entitlements". Medicare/Medicaid/SS are "essential" and must never be cut.

Neither Democrats nor Republicans are willing to cut their own entitlements, only those of their political opponents.

That's the essence of it.

No, that is what they want to tell you. If they screw up bad enough that is looks like a bill they drafted that would cut the 'opponents' entitlements might actually pass they will fillibuster and work to undermine their own bill to keep it from actually happening.
Think about it, when was the last time Congress actually reduced an entitlement?

 

[zsdersw]

No, that is what they want to tell you. If they screw up bad enough that is looks like a bill they drafted that would cut the 'opponents' entitlements might actually pass they will fillibuster and work to undermine their own bill to keep it from actually happening.
Think about it, when was the last time Congress actually reduced an entitlement?

Yes, which is exactly what I said.