Ah, so this is where we disagree. As a taxpayer and consumer of government services, I do not view things this way. We have a government, and to this government I pay taxes, and from this government I receive services. I only care about the amount of taxes that I pay, not how they are apportioned between payroll vs. income vs. other. Since congress sets the rules for all three entities, I can't see how you can argue that "Social Security" is being smart and discretionary spending is not. The money all comes from the same place: taxes and debt. Frankly, and with no offense intended, you seem to be falling for what looks to me like accounting shenanigans.