Our cherished system of a government for, by and of the people that has helped to create the greatest, most altruistic and inclusive country in the world is now causing the United States to sink under the weight of its own debt, entitlement programs and annual spending.
Running for ninety minutes, the back-and-forth, at least in theory, will be divided into six segments: debt and entitlements, immigration, the economy, the Supreme Court, foreign hot spots, and fitness to be President.
They included "debt and entitlements," "foreign hot spots, "and "fitness to be president".
The phrase "debt and entitlements" reflects a misguided, inside-the-Beltway financial mindset.
Rather than discuss "Social Security" or "retirement income policy," Wallace revealed that he would be asking about "debt and entitlements".
The debate, moderated by Fox News' Chris Wallace, is to include discussions of debt and entitlements, immigration, the economy, the Supreme Court, foreign hot spots and fitness to be president.
The next debate's topic of "Debt and entitlements" puts a large thumb on the scale in support of cutting Social Security.
Social Security is likely to be discussed during the segment of the debate dealing with the announced topic of "Debt and entitlements".
The other challenge for conservatives in addressing the debt and entitlements is that even the Republican base has been less than enthusiastic about the prospect of overhauling Medicare and Social Security.
Economist Dean Baker had the same reaction I did: why tie debt to "entitlements" (Social Security and Medicare), rather than defense or other government spending -- especially when Social Security is forbidden by law from contributing to federal deficits?
