CBO Director: Budget Can't Be Fixed Unless You Address Entitlements Or Raise Taxes On Many Americans

Congressional Budget Director Elmendorf says that you can't fix the deficit with out addressing Social Security and Medicare (February 12, 2013).

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[Pineapple9]

You're right - not same issues. However, they've managed to commingle monies by hook and crook (put them into the "general fund") then used what was once a very healthy balance for other "expenses." That's why I don't hesitate to bring these two issues together - monies going to foreign "aid" COULD be same monies coming from other programs - who can tell? Suddenly we are told Social Security is going broke. What a crock. Your point is spot on - Obama will probably crash our economy . . soon.

[werelobo]

Two different issues. Money we waste on foreign aid has nothing to do with the fact that Social Security is fiscally unsustainable in its current form. It simply can't continue, and it won't. Of course, Obama will probably manage to completely crash our economy before that happens, so it really won't matter anyway.

[Pineapple9]

Your math doesn't add up my friend - I work for over nearly 50 years, paying these taxes, getting matched by my employers, and you say it only takes 3 years to get back what was put in? Come on. And don't tell me I'm whining when I don't want others taking my money and using it to benefit illegals and foreign countries like Egypt. You can sit quietly if you want, I will contend against these government crooks all I want!

[werelobo]

Actually, Social Security is the very definition of an entitlement program. The amount someone recieves in benefits is not directly tied to what they paid in FICA taxes while working. The typical retiree gets back everything they paid into the system within 3 years, yet they'll draw benefits for 15-20 years. The math simply doesn't add up, and whining about it won't change anything.

[Pineapple9]

Social Security is NOT an entitlement!!!! You freaking guys in Congress can cut spending in a million other areas and you know it. Why do you always have to threaten Social Security, then turn around and send billions of dollars to places like Egypt?

[sheridanbucket]

Nah... we have to invest! Invest, invest, invest in more unions and green energy scams! Spendity-spend, spend, spend. Senior citizens will eventually die-off in a few decades, thereby leaving us with a surplus to handle a $40Trillion debt. We've gone off the cliff, but we haven't gone splat yet! We've got lots of time, right? Spend/Invest.