I don't disagree with you at all, DJP. As much as anything, I posted that list to demonstrate how much balancing the federal budget will affect our way of life. If we don't do something like "privatize", then we're back to trying to solve the problem with cutting expenses and/or raising taxes.

In another post right above, I demonstrated the impossibiity of balancing the budget by cutting costs. I've concluded that there is no other alternative to solving our problem than a combination of deep spending cuts--including cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid--plus some substantial tax increases.

I can't see any other way out.