Supidity always does. Wild, inaccurate, silly opinions should jot be worth anyone's time to read. That some not only read them, but take them seriously is a large part of what is wrong with us as a people.
The Big three? I would also argue a more efficient system, like a single payer system woudl do away with Medicare and increase the base, premiums. I think that would be the best solution. We won't see it, so like always we have to go with less effective measures. Rasing the age of being elegiable would be one such method, and we could means test those who don't need it (myth about it being a trust fund needs to be put to rest).
The military is easier. Make it fit what we face as a threat now and in the future, which is largely smaller forces, which a large bulky military is less effective at fighting. Stop needlessly invading countries. Stop nation building.
Leaving is not easy. No one suggests it would be. If you can remember back, long before Bush left office, I said the only easy fix to those countries was to not have invaded in the first place. That was true for Bush and it is true for Obama. The situation created by invading makes leaving much more difficult than having not gone in in the first place. It will be painful and risky for everyone.
So, that being said, and with the understanding that it has to be slowly as to endanger fewer (none) people, we still need to procede toward ending the wars. And stop nation building. This is important ot our fiscal well being. We have hurt ourselves much more than helped by being imperialistic and reckless.
I think a progressive tax is a fair tax. I make more than many, and I don't mind at all paying more than those who make less. I benefit more as well, and having been poor (even homeless), I know the difference.
As for increasing your revenue? I do it by working more. Advancing in my profession. But much of America could learn to live within their means (including myself).
I hope you're right, but I don't believe you are. All the polls and opinions I read and find seem to indicate that the same disconnects are present. They want services, but don't want to pay for them. Thsi disconnect has been around as long as I can remember.
As for discourse, I always try to talk reasonable with you j. We've been around awhile, you and me. Perhaps one day we can even sit down to a cup of coffee and talk face to face.
:coffeepap