(33 quotes found)
“The biggest economic danger of the next 50 years is the coming crisis in entitlement spending. The problem is the entire health care system is in crisis. The entire U.S. health care system needs to be overhauled. If not, it will literally bankrupt the federal government.”
Brian Riedl
“President Bush's pledge to halve the budget deficit by 2009 distracts policymakers from the real issue of unsustainable trends in long-term entitlement spending. The president's proposal to slow Medicare's 9% annual growth rate is a good fiscal step, but the budget does not propose enough immediate and bold reforms to the quickly growing entitlement programs that threaten to overwhelm the budget.”
“States are dumping more and more expenses on federal taxpayers. States love to spend federal money because state voters don't pay for it — or at least think they don't pay for it.”
“Those who are advocates of anti-poverty programs, social programs, education, have their programs threatened by runaway entitlements. There won't be room for both.”
“Congress distributes federal grants by politics rather than by merit.”
“Why do they need special treatment to get a grant?”
“Conservative voters are very disappointed in Congress's record. If lawmakers do not trim entitlement programs, voters will continue to see spending as an issue.”
“As bad as the last five years have been, it's going to get even worse the next five years.”
“Congress has no incentive to rein in pork, because pork helps lawmakers get campaign contributions and get re-elected. It is entirely predictable that Congress would create the illusion of reform while retaining the system that allows them to sell government grants for campaign contributions.”
“Director Portman will be inheriting the most dire long-term fiscal outlook we've ever had. The first baby boomers retire in 18 months, and the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid costs are set to explode. On top of that, he'll be dealing with a Congress that's absolutely addicted to runaway spending and pork!”
