Entitlements Consume Nearly Half of Federal Spending

The AP reports:

Three growing entitlement programs consumed nearly half of all federal spending in 2004, and budget analysts expect them to make up an even bigger share in the future.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid accounted for more than $1 trillion in the 2004 budget year, according to the Consolidated Federal Funds Report being released Tuesday by the Census Bureau.

Overall federal spending was $2.2 trillion, an increase of 5 percent from 2003.

You mean cutting waste,fraud,and abuse will not balance the budget in the long run? Or defense spending? Or welfare payments to moms? Giving free medical care to George Soros and Warren Buffett sure is a priority.