Reps/Senators/President concerned about federal spending--I have a solution

[WI_DEM]

which will dramatically reduce the deficit:

GET US THE HELL OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

Coupled with

A 15% OVERALL REDUCTION IN DEFENSE SPENDING (Don't worry we'll still have enough bombs to destroy the world over many times).

Then...

PASS HEALTH REFORM WHICH INCLUDES A GOVERNMENT OPTION BECAUSE THAT WILL (IN THE LONG RUN) SAVE $$ BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL GET PREVENTATIVE CARE.

See, Simple.

[Hippo_Tron]

1. Military industrial complex is too entrenched

Look what happened when they tried to cut funding for the F-22 aircraft which was obsolete and even Gates supported getting rid of. A bunch of congresspeople bitched about it because it would mean that their districts would lose jobs. So when you figure out how to make your proposal happen I will be interested to hear it.

[Ardent15]

2. Public funding of campaigns would be a good start.

[Hippo_Tron]

3. Yes it would but it would hardly solve the entire problem

A congressperson won't vote to cut off funding for the F-22 when it means they lose X number of jobs in their district even if clearly cutting off funding is in the national interest. That has little to do with campaign contributions.

[WI_DEM]

4. True but we have to look at all projects not only domestic programs to reduce deficit.

[Hippo_Tron]

5. I'm not saying it's not a good idea

I'm saying that congress unfortunately work that way. Defense spending is more or less untouchable. Many have tried to cut it and many have failed.