The tea bag crowd is outraged at our out of control spending.  It is THE positioning issue for the GOP - which is smart given the deficit is a massive issue facing our nation.  We absolutely have to get it under control over time.   But, if you want to fix it, you only have a few options.  You have to hurt one of 3 groups:

1.  The old (entitlements)

2.  The military (defense)

3.  The rich (tax increases)

Fact is all the other options don't add up to much.  For details here is a pie chart.

So if you are someone sick of all this spending you have to prove it. What do you want to cut?

Republicans number one attack on the health care bill was that it would CUT Medicare (this is not your Mother's Republican Party).  They want to perpetually cut taxes and they would never consider hitting the military. So what is the plan?  I want to hear it.  Until then, it is just marketing.  As for the Dems, well, Obama is going to put them to the test on it in the coming years (post recession when deficits actually do make sense).  My hunch is the special interests will win again.  Raise retirement age?  Good luck. Streamline the military?  The terrorists win.  Increase taxes?  We live in a socialist state.    

At some point, we will have to make some hard calls.  Who will have the guts to actually do it?