TheAnvil

Read the budget, do some math, read up on your history, lose a bit of your hatred, and I'll discuss this with you. I gave Justin some good data. Check it out, come to terms with reality, and let me know when you're ready.

Haven't read the budget, eh? Don't worry - most people haven't. Seriously, dude, you're a bright guy and articulate your points really well when we banter on here. Take a look at table S-11 here for a glimpse at how mandatory spending is the main cost driver for budget deficits. DoD itself accounted for 19.1% of outlays in '05 and per the '07 budget should account for 18.8% of outlays for '06 (recall the PB is submitted to Congress right after the SOTU in Feb). In contrast, mandatory spending for '05 was 60.8% of the budget in '05 and 61.9% in '06. Again, recall the '06 #'s in the '07 budget will be estimates. Breakdown the programs however you like over the past several years and in future years, and you'll find that it is the SS, Medicare, Medicaid, Debt Interest, and other mandatory spending that are the major expenditures for the federal government, i.e. the main cost drivers. If you want to cut spending, that is where you really have to do it. Also, take a look at the CBO projections for how Medicaid and Medicare alone will increase over the next few years as the Baby Boomers start to retire. It's pretty obvious that even were discretionary spending to remain constant - it will go up between 2 and 7 percent per year, the grown in mandatory spending will MANDATE an increase in the debt ceiling, i.e. be the cost driver for the national debt. Hope that's what you were looking for. We might disagree about how to address the problem, but I believe you'll agree with me that the real problem to be addressed is the structure of the programs the mandatory spending category encompasses.

Gia! Have an awesome day! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Oh dear God...Jraf and staggering over the bridge to Juarez...this I have to hear.

Looks like you did a good job presenting your chest to the relative wind, though! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

If you win, let me know. I've been trying to kick my liver's ass for a while. It's one tough sumbitch! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Nice pic! Didn't have to sign in to see it. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Kick ass. I've neveer had that, but would like to try it. Good luck, amigo! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Interesting. The main cost drivers for the national debt are medicare, medicaid, social security, gov't retirement programs, and interest on the national debt itself. Discretionary spending, though a contributor, is chump change in comparison. Any CBO, GAO, or OMB projections will show that to be the case. Without attacking the main source of the debt via reform inititatives and/or program elimination, no person claiming to be concerned about the debt and proposing a solution may be taken seriously. Regardless of who wins the White House in '08 and controls Congress after '06 or '08, the age demographics of this country MANDATE the debt ceiling be increased several times over the next couple of decades due to the structure of our entitlement programs. The current state of the debt can be attributed to many generations of congressmen and Presidents. I think, however, that the true fault lies with the lack of education of the average American. The current social programs safety net at the federal level is fiscally unsustainable. Anyone see any politicians proposing reform? Other than GWB's private accounts idea, I haven't seen anyone really push that on the national level. Disgusting. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

It would probably melt enroute...perhaps I'll send some more orange brownies or some cookies... Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Of course. Ask skymama about my chocolate truffle pie.

I'm a rum-imbecile. Perhaps when I've recovered from the bird flu, you could educate me. I'll make you something nice and chocolate... Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Eener speaks the truth...also recommended are Herradura and Tres Generaciones is superb for margaritas. I always go with Bacardi or the Captain for rum... Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Are you bs'ing us or can she really eat that with a spoon? Dave's Insanity Sauce is most evil too. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

I did it on a bet for a month in college. After winning I went to Momma's Ole Country Buffet in Atlanta and pigged out for several hours on nothing but meat. Good luck! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

A friend of mine just attempted suicide. He was unsuccessful, thank God. Just got off the phone with his Dad. I called to let him know I was still a bit sick and might not be able to jump tomorrow if I'm not feeling better, and his Dad picked up. His Dad told me what had occurred, but not the method. Non dz.com'er. Really good guy and a big surprise. Apparently they've got him restrained in the hospital and they wouldn't even let his mom & dad see him for very long. Kind of a bit in shock right now. This sux and I can't do a damned thing about it othe than pray for him. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Paige! Hope you are well! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Good for them. Never used drugs myself, but I wholeheartedly support their legalization. This might be a speaker's corner thread. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

He'll be lower after I headbutt his kneecaps! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Not for Chuck Norris, though. He's a wuss when it comes to drinking tequila and doing the limbo. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Don't make us break your kneecaps! Clicky Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

I think this picture makes me look short. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

You've lived in Atlanta for how long and not heard that term? LoL. Many people with the 'Lee Surrendered - I didn't' bumper stickers will use that term quite often. Fidiots. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Concur. Dumb idea. Didn't a similar one float during the Carter administration about giving everyone a $50 refund or something like that? Or was it during Ford's? Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

Oh, I have more than a hammer. I have a zester, whisk, ladle, eggbeater, mixer, circular saw, electric drill, manual drill, a plethora of screwdrivers, crescent wrenches, socket sets, and what have you. I'm a handy JACKASS. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!!