Any plan that is mathematically possible requires big cuts to some combination of defense, social security, and medicare.
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That’s kind of a misnomer. In 2010, SS by itself will have it’s first deficit in almost 30 years. Estimated at 41 billion, it is almost entirely do to the recession and high unemployment. According to the Trustees Report, SS is expected to run a surplus from 2012 through 2014. Social Security is not causing the deficit. It has never contributed significantly to the deficit.
It is the other spending, primarily defense, that has to be cut. The two wars we’re fighting have already consumed almost 10% of the national debt, over $1 trillion. Current defense budget is close to $700 billion. That’s where the cuts will have to come from if the budget is ever to be balanced.
