Republicans love to complain about entitlements. Of course, they have no problem taking advantage of government programs.
A co-worker of mine is one of those types. Y'know, the kind that says subtlely racist things about the President and forwards you all those awful e-mails that are 5% fact and 95% fiction. And he HATES government intervention in his life and he bitches, non-stop, about overspending. But he won't marry his girlfriend because she'd lose low-income assistance.
I understand what they want. It even has a name. It's called "Starve the beast." They run epic deficits, slash taxes, and then demand a balanced budget. When reasonable people suggest minor tax increases and minor spending cuts, they go insane.
If the economy suddenly expanded and Social Security started posting big surpluses, would they advocate for a lockbox? No. Would they increase benefits? No. They'd still try to cut/privitize the program and slash taxes.
So........I say we demand that Tea Party people opt out of the programs they don't like. The campaign starts today. If you don't like government spending, opt out. You don't like medicare? Send your check back. You don't like Social Security? Send your check back.
Don't take advantage of the tax loopholes and writeoffs. No food or nutrition assistance. No housing assistance. No disaster assistance. No veterans benefits. No government health care.
No one is forcing them to cash these checks. Send the money back. Pay the bills yourself.