...a whole lot of stuff that we're not going to be able to afford. Without going into the arithmetic again, if we kept Social Security, Medicare and the Defense budget untouched, we could eliminate ALL federal spending on everything else and still not produce a balanced budget. The problem is that dire.

We can't afford either the programs for women and children or farm subsidies, plus a whole lot of other stuff. If anyone thinks a balanced budget can be accomplished without life-changing cuts to discretionary spending, massive cuts to the defense budget, big changes to both Medicare and Social Security and yes, tax increases, show us all how it can be done.

The stage is being set. Today's papers announced that AARP will not try to defend no changes to Social Security. When the Congress finally begins to cut expenses with seriousness, the hue and cry from all idealogical corners will make the hub-bub in Madison, WI look like kindergarten child's play.