In this episode of Gross Domestic Problem, William is joined by Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute. Romina addresses the growing fiscal crisis and argues that the United States is on a dangerous economic trajectory, with unsustainable government spending, entitlement programs, and a political system that prioritizes short-term benefits over long-term fiscal stability. She proposes a BRAC-style commission to overcome political gridlock, similar to the Base Realignment and Closure process, which would create an independent mechanism to make tough budgetary decisions. The discussion also highlights how current policies effectively transfer wealth from younger generations to older, wealthier populations, risking future economic collapse through potential currency devaluation, inflation, and reduced private sector investment. Romina emphasizes that the fiscal crisis is not a future problem, but a current reality that requires immediate, creative solutions to prevent the United States from undermining its own economic strength and global standing. Don’t miss this great conversation!

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Romina’s Background and Motivation (3:08)
• The Importance of Fiscal Policy and Economic Stability (9:25)
• American Exceptionalism and the Free Rider Problem (11:27)
• Why Good Fiscal Policy Lacks Political Support (15:20)
• The Limits of Political Solutions and the Need for New Approaches (18:18)
• The Simpson-Bowles Commission and Political Obstacles (20:42)
• International Examples and Constitutional Restraints (23:47)
• The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Model (27:57)
• Feasibility of a BRAC-Style Fiscal Commission in the U.S. (31:49)
• Recent Attempts at Fiscal Commissions and Special Interest Opposition (35:37)
• Intergenerational Transfers and Social Security Inequities (38:51)
• Objections to Delegating Congressional Authority (42:14)
• The Growing Political Power of Older Generations (47:31)
• The Danger of Peacetime Deficits and Future Crises (51:09)
• Risks of Foreign Divestment and Treasury Auctions (55:08)
• Conclusion and Final Thoughts (1:00:04)

Gross Domestic Problem is a podcast from Millennial Debt Foundation focusing on America’s biggest financial crisis. Each episode, we break down how we got here, what happens if we don’t act, and the least painful way forward. There’s no do-nothing solution. Subscribe now at grossdomesticproblem.com and join the conversation.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Congressman William Timmons Joins the Discussion (1:42)
• Government Spending and Debt (3:15)
• Improper Payments Overview (4:06)
• Examples of Improper Payments (6:03)
• Enhanced Income Verification Technology (7:36)
• Potential Savings from Technology (9:05)
• TABs Act Proposal (13:06)
• Challenges of Current Safety Nets (14:17)
• Improper Payments During COVID (17:05)
• Understanding Government Spending (20:20)
• Technology and Verification (22:06)
• Reconciliation Package Challenges (25:41)
• Final Thoughts and Conclusion (26:41)

Gross Domestic Problem is a podcast from Millennial Debt Foundation focusing on America’s biggest financial crisis. Each episode, we break down how we got here, what happens if we don’t act, and the least painful way forward. There’s no do-nothing solution. Subscribe now at grossdomesticproblem.com and join the conversation.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• William’s Background and Journey (1:02)
• National Debt Perception (3:28)
• Social Safety Net Importance (8:02)
• Long-term Implications of Debt (9:13)
• National Security Concerns (11:36)
• Inflation and Fiscal Crisis (14:16)
• Taxation and Spending Issues (15:25)
• Mandatory Spending Challenges (17:28)
• Urgency of Action (19:46)
• Political Will and Responsibility (21:44)
• Personal Motivation for Advocacy (23:22)
• Closing Remarks and Future Conversations (24:27)

Gross Domestic Problem is a podcast from Millennial Debt Foundation focusing on America’s biggest financial crisis. Each episode, we break down how we got here, what happens if we don’t act, and the least painful way forward. There’s no do-nothing solution. Subscribe now at grossdomesticproblem.com and join the conversation.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Current State of U.S. Healthcare (1:01)
• Introduction of Guest Marc Goldwein (3:15)
• Government's Role in Healthcare Spending (5:57)
• Medicare Advantage Overview (9:43)
• Cost Control in Traditional Medicare (12:07)
• Incentives and Risks in Medicare Advantage (15:12)
• Upcoding in Medicare Advantage (18:24)
• Risk Adjustment in Medicare Advantage (21:17)
• Estimates of Medicare Advantage Overpayment (25:17)
• Deficit Reduction Strategies (29:20)
• Waste in the Healthcare System (33:55)
• The Need for Comprehensive Budget Reforms (36:24)
• Understanding Medicare Cuts (38:24)
• Bipartisan Solutions for Healthcare (42:13)
• The Importance of Shared Pain (46:04)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (48:11)

Gross Domestic Problem is a podcast from Millennial Debt Foundation focusing on America’s biggest financial crisis. Each episode, we break down how we got here, what happens if we don’t act, and the least painful way forward. There’s no do-nothing solution. Subscribe now at grossdomesticproblem.com and join the conversation.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Andrew's Background and Expertise (1:39)
• Understanding Tax Policy (4:15)
• Purpose of Taxation (6:36)
• Political Challenges of Taxation (9:25)
• Consumption as Economic Driver (16:12)
• Taxing Paper Gains (20:07)
• Impact of Market Fluctuations (23:24)
• Understanding National Debt (28:14)
• Tax Code Improvements (31:11)
• Employer Benefits vs. Salaries (34:05)
• Horizontal Equity in Taxation (38:37)
• Trade-Offs in Tax Reform (40:45)
• Current SALT Cap Debate (42:04)
• Impact of SALT Cap on Taxpayers (46:16)
• Philosophical Tax Questions (53:57)
• Final Thoughts and Resources (56:19)

Gross Domestic Problem is a podcast from Millennial Debt Foundation focusing on America's biggest financial crisis. Each episode, we break down how we got here, what happens if we don’t act, and the least painful way forward. There’s no do-nothing solution. Subscribe now at grossdomesticproblem.com and join the conversation.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Welcoming Lura to the Show (1:00)
• Fiscal Health and Individual Well-Being (2:26)
• Connecting Government Spending to Personal Impact (4:44)
• Visualizing the Fiscal Problem (8:21)
• Understanding the Scale of Spending (10:08)
• Millennials' Views on Entitlement Reform (13:53)
• The Political Challenge of Fiscal Reform (16:01)
• Generational Misunderstanding in Fiscal Conversations (19:42)
• Research on Voter Segmentation (23:57)
• Polarization vs. Shared Values (26:31)
• Demographic Shifts in Voting (31:15)
• Non-Ideological Voting Trends (34:34)
• Party Leadership and Direction (41:05)
• Engagement in Local Government (46:34)
• Understanding Political Dynamics (48:06)
• Bridging Political Divides (51:47)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (52:16)

Gross Domestic Problem is a podcast from the Millennial Debt Foundation focusing on America's biggest financial crisis. Each episode, we break down how we got here, what happens if we don’t act, and the least painful way forward. There’s no do-nothing solution. Subscribe now at grossdomesticproblem.com and join the conversation.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Background of Austin and Ryan (1:39)
• Breaking Traditional Rules (4:13)
• Innovative Engagement Strategies (6:14)
• Product Market Fit in Politics (8:27)
• Understanding Voter Attention (10:53)
• Applying SCARF in Policy Context (12:31)
• Influence Campaign Successes (15:31)
• Leveraging Voter Sentiment (17:41)
• Debt and Political Strategy (20:58)
• Chicago's Debt Crisis (23:55)
• DOGE and Government Accountability (25:23)
• Connecting the Dots (29:01)
• Publicizing Government Missteps (33:59)
• The Importance of Individual Accountability (37:21)
• Momentum Shift (38:44)
• State-Level Focus (41:35)
• Risk for Established Politicians (43:55)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (44:32)

Gross Domestic Problem is a podcast from Millennial Debt Foundation focusing on America's biggest financial crisis. Each episode, we break down how we got here, what happens if we don’t act, and the least painful way forward. There’s no do-nothing solution. Subscribe now at grossdomesticproblem.com and join the conversation.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Zach’s Background and Journey to Third Way (0:48)
• Misconceptions About Party Fiscal Responsibility (3:09)
• Health Care Spending Reforms (6:30)
• Understanding the Ten-Year Budget Window (8:17)
• Defense Spending and Waste Concerns (10:35)
• The Federal Budget Breakdown (13:21)
• Program Integrity and Government Efficiency (16:05)
• Avenues for Spending Reform (19:29)
• Political Perspectives on Spending (22:11)
• Tax Revenue and Political Landscape (24:05)
• Current Law vs. Current Policy (26:00)
• Complexities of Tax Revenue Solutions (28:10)
• Future of Tax Policy Changes (30:27)
• Challenges in Addressing National Debt (32:05)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (34:22)

Gross Domestic Problem is a podcast from the Millennial Debt Foundation focusing on America's biggest financial crisis. Each episode, we break down how we got here, what happens if we don’t act, and the least painful way forward. There’s no do-nothing solution. Subscribe now at grossdomesticproblem.com and join the conversation.