Michael Tanner writes on the National Review website today that “This Is Going to Hurt; There is no painless way to balance the budget.” Here is his open:
“Want to know just how bad our budget problems are? The 2012 budget plan unveiled yesterday by Rep. Paul Ryan and Republican House leaders cuts federal spending by $6.2 trillion over the next ten years – and still adds $6 trillion to the national debt. Yet, by and large, Americans still believe there is a painless way to balance the budget. They have a better chance searching for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”
Here is Tanner’s close (emphasis added):
“Ryan’s approach is a good start. But for the long term, it will require a 2012 presidential candidate capable of explaining the facts to an uninformed public and courageous enough to make the necessary cuts – even if the public thinks they hurt.”
In an email, Joe Gaylord of American Solutions gave a few of the highlights of Ryan’s plan:
“…it would cut $6.2 trillion over 10 years, impose a cap on discretionary spending, reduce the tax rate for individuals and businesses to 25% and give states the flexibility to manage Medicaid rather than keeping it in the hands of bureaucrats in Washington.
You can also read Rep. Ryan’s summary in the Wall Street Journal, laying out what this budget would do and what it would mean for the country.”
We have a long way to go, obviously, but thank God the journey has finally begun.
