re: A pretty good comment
Don't have too many arguments with the basic principles, but like I've said, "social spending" has become more about politics and power than it is about helping people in a bad spot.
Scrap "entitlements" and have programs that target the people who really need it. There's no damn reason in the world someone who makes six figures should be getting Social Security payment if he doesn't need it. Same for Medicare.
This usually get furious opposition from some politicians. You see, there aren't enough poor people in this country to use a means-tested distribution for political gain.