They should pass a balanced budget amendment that forces spending to be equal to some running average of tax receipts as a function of GDP (not just the previous year, maybe a 3-year running average).
The critical problem is entitlements. I'd keep SS for anyone above a certain age, then phase it out towards a privatized system as an option, and for those that opt in, keep it what it was supposed to be—insurance. Reset retirement age so that it actuarially matches what it was when first [passed. Meaning if the typical person only lived 2 years past 65 on SS, I'd make the retirement age 70 or something. Ditto medicare.
The goal should be that total government spending should not exceed around 20% of GDP under any circumstance save war.
War spending would be about the only thing I'd allow to go deficit, but with maybe a 3/4 vote of both houses.
The military could trim a bunch if they were allowed to close bases as they'd like. All the US bases are a function of having them porked into place. Everyone wants cuts, just not in their district.
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