reply to post by Flatfish
I understand and appreciate your thoughtful replies, and agree with some and not with others. Either way, my point is still the same that far too
many people are dependent on govt for various facets of their lives, if not the entire thing. The issue is that the spending cannot continue on these
programs even if they want to and voters want them to. Again, we spend 60% of our budget on these programs, and borrow 42% of our budget now.
Social security was never meant to be an entire retirement income, it was meant to be a safety-net and supplement. Medicaid and Medicare were also
never meant to have this many people on their rolls. The point is very simple; over time, people have become increasingly dependent on govt and we
are at a point that regardless of desire it isn't able to continue much longer.
We will be forced into entitlement program cuts just like Europe, and because of mentalities such as your where people feel 'entitled' to these
benefits, there will be social unrest, just like in Europe. Taxes increases on the wealthy wouldn't cover the deficit gap we have. Obama and
Democrats keep saying its $700 billion, but neglect to mention that figure is over 10 years. Thats $70 billion a year, or 4% of our deficit. The
spending can't continue at these levels. And just like in Europe, people will not be happy about it. Its not coincidental that every nation is
collapsing under the weight of these programs.

