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These answers aren't probably what you're looking for, but cutting spending isn't the only way to reduce the deficit. That's not to say that you can't cut spending at all, but you probably need to supplement the spending cuts with tax hikes......... specifically for the rich folks.

I admittedly know nothing about the economics of the Fair Tax, but wouldn't that address this?

No. Johnson explicitly states he wants the Fair Tax to be revenue neutral.

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Underachievers, please try harder.

Quad Cities is a perfect example of the dilemma of using defense cuts to balance the budget.

The Rock Island Arsenal is the biggest employer in the area, with something like 8,000 employees. It was at 9,000 at its peak a few years ago. Maybe the Arsenal doesn't have to close entirely to get to a more reasonable level. But laying off, say, 4,000 of those employees would be devastating to the local economy. I don't know what the solution is. I am in favor of cutting defense and ending the war(s). But some kind of safety net for all these employees may be needed, too.

I don't think you can just flip a switch and lay all these people off at one time. Unwinding it slowly over a longer period of time would be a lot better. Start with early retirements, and then go down the line, laying off a couple hundred a year or something over a period of several years. That would give these people a much better chance to retrain and find a new job.

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What would be so wrong about saying: OK, you want to be a citizen of this country? The one responsibility you have is to vote in every election.

Oh, right. Asking Americans to get off their behind and vote for "None of the above" every 2 years is asking way too much. Because it's a slippery slope. The next thing you know, someone out there may have the nerve to suggest they actually inform themselves before voting. That means they might have to actually read something longer than a Tweet. Scary, scary stuff.

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Someone really needs to make a gif of someone taunting and dancing over a downed scarecrow.

They're working on it.

Homeland Security lets states view immigration database to aid voter purge

Governor makes Iowa one of the toughest states for felons to exercise their right to vote

Voter ID laws could block thousands in November

750,000 PA voters without state-issued photo ID could be disenfranchised under new GOP law

One voter suppression law isn't good enough in Michigan

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Because we're a country that's damn proud of being able to do whatever we want.

And yes, most Americans are poor at informing themsleves over issues related to the election, and because of that, those who don't feel motivated to vote, I really don't want casting a vote.

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That's the long way of saying we are lazy.

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Ann Romney says they have 'given all you people need to know' on taxes


OK, I'll go eat my cake now.

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