Quote:
Originally Posted by whell
We don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem, IMHO. Hell, if we just found a way to cut in half federal funds lost due to waste and graft we could start to pay down the debt.
Political realities in Washington being what they are, where no one trusts anyone anymore, I don't think we're going to get agreement on what to reduce to achieve a balanced budget, or where or how to increase revenue, getting cooperation will be the first challenge.
If possible, maybe an agreement could be reached with a temporary tax increase coupled with a commitment to a balanced budget. None of this "balance the budget over 5 years" or "over seven years" crap, but something that demonstrates real political will on both sides.
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The primary problem is that Democrats and a large part of the public see your (and the GOP) argument as being made in bad faith that cannot and should not be rewarded with good faith negotiations. Your party has no genuine interest in deficit/debt reduction, but want it as an issue for curtailing social programs advanced by the Democratic Party and broadly supported by the American people.
The GOP took no action during the Trump presidency other than making the deficit worse with their tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. Similarly, Dubya trashed Clinton's success on the deficit with his tax cuts. The only fiscal action that Republicans universally support are tax cuts and these tax cuts have themselves been significant drivers in increasing the debt/deficit, yet they demand that Democrats and lower and middle class Americans pay for them. IOW, the Republicans are not a party serious about governance.