I recall questions a young Democrat family member asked me, a staunch Republican, “Why do the Republicans not want to help the poor? What is the real difference between Democrats and Republicans?” 

It took me a moment to answer, “The Democrats want the Government to take care of the People, and the Republicans want the Government to take care of the Country.” And neither position is wrong or bad. 

On the list of caring for the Country are National Defense, National Economy, National Infrastructure, etc.  On the list of caring for the people are Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, etc.  Everyone lists all these items when they discuss what is needed, but never does any Democrat or Republican prioritize the list because that would alienate some of the voters, which politicians are loath to do. 

It’s been stated that one of the most serious threats to this Country’s security is the debt. Everyone fears the unknown future consequences of the growing National debt, but a more pressing need is to maintain the present status, both the social programs and the National programs. And cutting anything will mean some voters will be out of their jobs, which is the last thing a vote-seeking politician wants to cause. Tax reform is a hopeless cause because all the significant “loopholes” are nearest and dearest, such as mortgage interest deductions. So the politicians have their hands tied and are unable to solve the debt problem. 

A historian will point to the fall of the Roman Empire and the more recent economic debacles in various European countries as examples of the consequences of unleashed social programs and debt growth.  An economist will point to the threatened downgrading of the US credit rating and the risk that the US dollar may lose out to the gold standard as the fearsome consequences.  But the politicians can’t worry about the future when they have to worry about getting re-elected now.