SS is not really a problem. The program is solvent until 2035. After that is 80% solvent. A simple means testing adjustment and the long term problem is solved. I'm also not opposed to raising the age to 67 (AFTER 2035), but not to 70.

Defense is a problem. Already it looks like there are finally bipartisan efforts to rein in the bloated spending. John "we need to cut spending" Bohnner just lost his half a billion dollar candy yesterday. This is an easy one really: End the wars(but continue aggressive special ops), bring home 90% of the troops in Europe, and continue Gate's policy of telling Congress to F off with their unnecessary military pork.

Medicare is the biggie. The affordable care act attempted to make even marginal anti-fraud reductions and were blasted by the GOP. Meanwhile, the GOP goal is insane: Ending medicare entirely and turning it into a voucher system. Yeah, let's give an 80 year old sick grandmother a coupon and tell them to go buy insurance on the private market. I'm sure they'll have no problem doing that right?

The fact is the vast majority of medicare is funding frenetic care during the last few months of life. So the provision to have end of life counseling was a serious attempt to address it. Unfortunately, in the alternate reality right wing media world that meant "death panels," while in the real world it was nothing more than creating a living will to guide doctors with the patient's wishes once they are incapacitated.

The majority of overall healthcare spending is treating diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and pulmonary disorders. Healthy lifestyles and more preventive care would go a long way to cutting costs WAY down. Trauma and mental disorders are also big costs.