>They consequently take aim mainly at cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

This is pure speculation by Forbes in their 18 month old article. The cite zero sources.

The WAPO article is more of the same. Debt ceiling threats have been going on for as long as I can remember. They always cave. both sides, always. The fact is that spending does need to be cut and social security is one area I think both tribes can agree, is off the table. We could eliminate a few worthless departments and all associated staff as a start.

Another thing to think about is the fact that democrats have been using that particular scare tactic for a very long time. It has never come true and most people now recognize it for what it is. Bull shit.

This one's good

>It’s true that Social Security needs to be reformed before the Social Security Trust Fund—the amount of money in reserves—runs out, which is projected to happen around 2034 due to declining birth rates after the baby boom period. If this were to happen, it would mean seniors would only receive roughly 77% of the benefits they’re due to get after that date. But there are ways to address that problem, such as by raising the payroll tax rate.

While it does need reform, there is no "trust fund" and there never has been. It's an accounting gimmick stuffed with IOU's. The simple math is at the end...there are not enough workers in todays workforce to cover the benefits. SO...big tax hike coming to cover it or they just keep printing more money until the whole thing just collapses.