Isnt the real problem for USA, the already in place Entitlements, and not more of them??

Question

Entitlements are coming due that will overwhelm the budget of US. Those are already into law.

How then can either McCain or Obama go around promising more goodies to come?

Is it going to be some sort of Tax the rich scheme and quit wars or what? Those in fact are peanuts compared to the trillion in entitlements that are due and being paid.

Answer 1

Actually, the pointless Iraq war was a waste of about what, $2 trillion dollars?  And the tax loopholes that spare most corporations from paying ANY tax?  And the corporate tax breaks?  And offshore tax shelters that allow the rich to evade their taxes as well?

We need proper regulation.  We need fiscal responsibility.  We should be able to pay for these things, but only if we stop allowing the rich to avoid their tax responsibilities, and only if we stop spending tax dollars on pointless adventures abroad.

Answer 2

42 percent of the Federal budget goes for Social Security and Health Care (That's Medicare and Medicaid for those who believe millions are dieing in the streets due to having no health care). An additional 23 percent is for others entitlements, such as welfare. That adds up to 65 percent of the entire Federal budget!

With 78 million Baby Boomers about to retire you can bet they will not let anyone touch their precious Social Security. Likewise those who are receiving other entitlements are not about to turn against the hand that feeds them. Furthermore you cannot realistically expect anyone who is receiving and entitlement not to expect it to increase.

At this rate, Federal Spending will account for 44 percent of the U.S. GDP by 2040 and 73 percent by 2050. That is for entitlements and interest on the debit (This assumes no massive tax increase) That means half the entire U.S. economy will be supporting entitlements. How do 80 percent income taxes grab you? (You can't get it all from the 'rich'). I plan on being alive and well in 2050 and this is not the future I want to live in.

So the short answer to your question; Yes, entitlements are a real problem and the politicians (of both parties) only want you to see what they can promise you in the next election, not the mess we are going to leave our children! This problem didn't just magically apprear under Bush's watch.