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The one guy who is an actual economist wasn't even asked.
Fred's just up there to provide the rhetoric that Republicans like to hear when we all know the only one who lives up to the rhetoric they give is Ron Paul. His record proves it. He's written books and tons of articles on the subjects concerning the perogative of the US Government and the economy.
I guess that explains why they want to ignore him. They disagree. But who else is actually going to change business as usual in DC?
Not a one.
Social Security is not as big an issue as Healthcare.
I think the GAO gave a multiple of 5times larger?
Ron Paul is the only one with a plan that can actually help to pay for all this! No other candidate will be able to make a big an impact because they are not willing to cut as much as is needed.
I want out of Social Security, I want private Health Insurance, I want to keep the fruits of my labor. Who else up on stage speaks like that?
Nobody will until they let the man speak.

Anonymous  | Tuesday, December 04, 2007 |  10:57 AM

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History tells us that once the politicians make every possible issue that comes to their attention an issue to be used to obtain or maintain power that a democratic government is essentially done and a new era in the life of the country must begin. It is sad to see this coming but it is unless we can get some things done to force Congress' hand. The single most important thing that has happened in the past three decades to stifle saving our country economically was when Congress passed the line itme veto. What a shame. They knew it would not get past the Supreme Court so it was a political ploy to even pass it. If they had made it a bill to amend the constitution as it should have been we would not be in the mess we are. How can we as a nation of people get this done, and amendment to the constitution, without having to go through Congress? Does the constitution allow for any other means besides revolution?

Fred2  | Monday, December 03, 2007 |  10:27 AM

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The ugly reality is that the government is broken, mismanaged and wasteful beyond imagination. The Department of Defense is probably the most blatant at wasting with much going to big contractors and not enough support going to our troops.

It's been said for many years that the government could accomplish the same amount of work with a third of the personnel so long as the right people are kept on to do the work. Good managers know which people do the work. But, too many members of the federal management pool are unqualified to do their jobs and lack motivation to do better. Something has to give

Robert M.  | Friday, November 30, 2007 |  07:12 PM

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Ed Defense is 17-18% of the Federal outlays so how can it be the biggest waster of money?? SS and Medicare already takes 14% of my wages how much more do you think I should donate.
Putting your head in the sand isn't helping the problem but I'm sure when you open your eyes in the sand you'll see Hillary, Osa Bama, ambulance chaser Edwards

dan ketter  | Friday, November 30, 2007 |  03:14 PM

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Sigh.

Our defense budget is such a sacred cow, a socialistic program (though a national socialistic program might be more accurate*) that props up huge corporations and wastes far more than all the Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid and other "social" programs put together. Add to this the fact that the Iraq war is "off-budget" and you get a lop-sided view of things. Those old geezers and sickos are wasting our money, but Star Wars spending and trillion-dollar weapons systems useful (if only they worked) against an enemy we no longer have, must be kept fully-funded at all costs.

And I'm sure the commenters I see here so far would have true conniptions if the problem of dealing with the energy crisis and global warming were ever honestly addressed by the government. Our priorities are so skewed by the political machinations of one party in particular (though the other has none-too-clean hands in this, as well) that we can't even discuss this calmly.

As I said, "sigh!"

Ed

Ed Drone  | Friday, November 30, 2007 |  10:15 AM

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Fred is absolutely on target. Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid are fiscally unsustainable in the long run and will bankrupt our society if their consumption is left unchecked. Unfortunately, our government isn't going to deal with the problem until a major bad economic event occurs, such as no one will buy government bonds anymore or a depression. Another alternative for our government is to let inflation eat away at the cost of these socialist programs. Our socialist programs are nothing more than a future disaster waiting to happen. Any way you slice and dice it, America is going to lose with these dogs in the portfolio.

Johnnie Nichols  | Friday, November 30, 2007 |  09:50 AM

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Nope--Fred's off point. Remember when W tried to save social security and democrats like Charlie Rangel said nothing needs to be fixed? Until the other political party can face facts, we are doomed to a future of economic enslavement to a looming, smothering, entitlement budget.

Ron Elglish  | Friday, November 30, 2007 |  09:18 AM

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