in our lifetimes there will finally come a point that an adult conversation will have to be had about taxes, expenditures, and entitlements. I'm afraid (b/c I'm certain) the answer will be more taxes on everything starting with pensions and 401(k)s. we can't tax our way out of any of this. and reducing SSRI to the rich won't make a dent in the real problem -- spending. but the last generation has created a dependent class which is only growing and therefore ain't going anywhere.
my thought is there probably should be a wealth tax. not one that is punitive, just something to ease the pressure. to be effective it would have to be done in conjunction with reduced spending which I don't see; hence continued dysfunction. taxing income is the worst of all things to tax as it taxes people who are building, creating, and offering services and therefore expanding our economy, wealth, and comfort. but it is also the lowest hanging fruit and serves the duel purpose of keeping the masses beholden to the guvment from the cradle to the grave.
anyway, there are no longer enough adults in the room left who have the will and intellect to fix any of this. our current predicament was predicted or at least warned of at our founding -- government big enough to give you everything is big enough to take everything which is right around the corner. what other ending is there when the majority of people are now takers and contribute little to nothing?