As Congress approaches the debt ceiling debate, conservatives in both chambers should look for outside-the-box approaches to address federal spending. It's simply not enough to make cuts to nondefense discretionary spending, which, over the next ten years, represents less than 13 percent of all federal outlays. Mandatory spending, or direct spending, however, represents nearly 65 percent of outlays and is what is largely driving deficits higher.

Personal Freedom and Prosperity 107: Limiting GovernanceAs government expands, liberty contracts. —President Ronald ReaganBudget Deal:  An Illusion of Responsible GovernanceAmerica's big federal government is broken.  Americans know it.  Our political elites know it. 

Democracy and Power 104: Future Debt BurdenA government debt is a government claim against personal income and private property – an unpaid tax bill. —Hans F. Sennholz