Comment by ericmay
17 days ago
I agree with your point about how the discussion is framed. To add to where it should be framed, in my mind, you can toss in cost cutting at the federal government in there as well.
Neither tariffs nor cost cutting, unless it targets major programs such as Social Security or Medicaid, will have an effect on the national debt or the deficit.
It’s all marketing.
Cost cutting always enters the equation, because somehow its better to eliminate benefits. Why not reform the programs? There is actually ample room for this, particularly with Social Security. Why not raise revenue via land value taxes, closing tax loopholes and other less and/or non regressive means?
The social safety net in this country is already terrible, making it more terrible by cutting the programs won't be better for anyone except a slice of the wealthy