National Debt vs GDP - why does it matter?

[vaylorie]

Look, the point is... if you want to have a discussion around federal spending and sustainability of US financials, then you have to look at mandatory spending programs. I'm not asserting that defense doesn't need cuts, but the common rhetoric that defense spending and not enough taxes on the wealthy is the root of the problem is a misnomer.

Mandatory spending needs REFORM (read: not cut completely) as does defense and health care. People frame the discussion as discretionary spending (calling out defense) is the only consideration here.

Defense spending is not under the mandatory spending umbrella based on government budget terminology. Congress has no ability to control mandatory spending during the normal budget process and only with new legislation to reign it in and provide reform.