Phase two needs to be entitlement reform. That's what should have been done years ago and will be even more difficult to stomach if we keep on kicking the can. Raise the wage base. Raise the full retirement age. Change the formula for cost of living adjustments. For Medicare, raise premiums to rates that will permit private insurance competition and then subsidize those with lower incomes.
These are sensible reforms, and will permit tax cuts because we have finally gotten long term spending under control.
Which party is going to take up this task? WHICH ONE?
As we sit now, neither party. The Republican Party is not a unified organization with the ability to achieve Majority rule.
Consequently it has NEVER achieved both tax and spending cuts, of significance. Hence continued deficit growth.
Compared to other advanced countries, we spend proportionately way more for both defense and health care, but get less.
We feed vast military-industrial industries--we start but never finish conflicts.
... and vast healthcare industries. (Our doctors are paid more but our outcomes lag other countries. We make far more pills than are accounted for.)
Common sense and competency seem to be going backwards. FBI/Cops/sheriffs/school admins that virtually ignore a kid shouting he will shoot up his school.
Down the highway, a bridge collapses.
Russia DID sow discord, and very wisely judged America seems to fall for discord at every turn.
America and conservatism are divided, and not united.
Religious conservatives claim to have the only true path.
Libertarian conservatives claim to reflect the founders ideas best.
Moderates claim to best reflect the compromises and unity that have given this nation longevity.
