M@NB -- Totally valid, and provokes thought for sure.

On the reverse -- imagine the government spending in a more personal/analogous way. Let's presume it's your home/annual budget. You have rent/mortgage, food, car/insurance, etc... You also have some small 'personal' stuff -- gift giving, buying a starbucks instead of brewing at home (obviously cheaper), and an occasional dinner out.

Perhaps the sum of your annual expenses are $40K... Of which $400 in the year goes to this "personal" stuff... Now you decide you need to cut spending, by 25%... Or $10,000 in the year...

The personal stuff is important symbolically--but it's not remotely going to get you on budget... and until someone (from EITHER f'n party) presents a credible plan for the $9600 OTHER dollars, then making a big deal about how you're cutting back on Starbucks doesn't impress me.

Federally, you have to go after defense spending, social security and medicare if you are serious. Everything else is just coffeehouse crap.
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The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. -John Buchan