The other problem is that "we" want all the programs. The wheat farmer - who hates big government - wants that crop subsidy. The dairy farmer wants milk price supports. The old folks many of whom hate big gubmint - will revolt if we even consider cutting Medicare or Social Security. The far right also hates big gubmint but man do they love that military spending.

Every program and tax loophole we have is the result of intense lobbying by some group and none of them want to give up anything. Ask the wealthy to go back to the very low tax rate before the Bush double whammy of two wars and a tax cut and they howl like banshees. Maybe we wouldn’t be so eager to go to war if we actually had to pay for it. We all love our country - just not enough to make any sacrifices for it.