Off-Topic: Here's what the polls seem to suggest

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	Name:	MartiniMan -
	Subject:	Here's what the polls seem to suggest
	Date:	1/8/2013 4:02:35 PM

A majority of Americans believe that the federal govt is too big and spends too much and that entitlements need to be reformed......just not the ones they get. Frankly that's the challenge that politicians have in this mess that FDR started, people have a general idea that cuts are needed but they don't want to personally sacrifice anything. It is a true conundrum.

I listened to an interview with a California congressman that runs some budget subcommittee and what he said seemed to make a lot of sense. He said SS is easier to solve because it is a "straight-line" budget item which I think means that there is a specific tax to cover these costs. He said a gradual increase in the age that someone can get the benefits (leaving all those 55 and over alone), some form of means testing (which I think is inevitable) and probably some massaging of benefits can stem the tide.

Medicare is a different challenge because the tax only covers 1/3rd of the cost and medicaid is even worse because there is no tax to cover these costs. It comes right out of the general fund and right now they are simply printing money to cover these costs. Literally if over your lifetime you paid $100K into Medicare on average you will take out over $300K (these numbers are approximate). And yet when you talk about reforming Medicare you will hear "I've paid into the program and I want my benefits" even though what they paid does not come close to covering what they will take out (as a general rule). One suggestion that was in the Paul Ryan plan was to block grant funds to the states and let them administer the programs as they see fit. Some states like California, NY and MA will spend like drunken fools and others will be much more responsible. But at least if you are in a state that is irresponsible you can move out. Not an option with the Fed'l gov't.

The bigger question is do we have enough politicians with the courage to tackle these issues in a responsible way or will they default to demonizing when reforms are suggested as a way to gather up more votes. On that front I am not optimistic.