Buried in Eric Cantor’s battle cry to newly-elected Republicans is this gem, which explains a lot about why the (R) political establishment is so terrified about what comes next.
Fast Fact
Over two-thirds of Republican voters believe the budget can be balanced without reducing spending on Social Security or Medicare.
That’s at the top of page 7. The whole thing’s worth a read.
Social Security and Medicare (particularly Medicare) need some serious revamping and reduction of benefits if we’re to get through this, especially as growing our way out of the problem with a sufficiently bigger economy seems pretty unrealistic at this point.
That’s why publicizing the scope of the problem, including through this sort of thing is so valuable. Includes a good “projector tool” graphic calculator that lets you play with the sorts of cuts that we’ll need for any change to be viable economically. Sobering is an understatement.
“Social Security and Medicare (particularly Medicare) need some serious revamping and reduction of benefits if we’re to get through this”
Don’t have numbers, but I guess you could save a ton of money by increasing efficiency and reducing bureacracy alone, leaving coverage as it is.
In fact, by reviewing and streamlining things you may end up with better coverage in many areas (while removing some others, like plastic surgery and sex change operations unless reconstructive after accidents) while still reducing cost, as the main cost factor in running these programs if bureaucratic, not medical.