Cut the Deficit or Add Services?

Steve Benen has a intriguing post over at The Washington Monthly about the choice to either reduce the national debt or to spend more for popular services like Health Care. John Edwards spoke recently in support of the latter.

I would prefer to adjust the context of the discussion by changing the choice from spending more Federal money into investing and managing federal resources more efficiently.

Hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year are spent on Tax law compliance.

Regulations that protect certain industries and businesses create obstacles to competition and reduce downward pressure on prices, as in Health Care.

Individual ownership of Health insurance policies might improve consumer awareness and more efficient purchasing decisions.

Farm Subsidies to large businesses may undermine the survival of small farmers here and abroad.

Tax and regulatory advantages to the Energy industry may be elevating prices and suppressing alternative energy methods.

Reluctance to experiment with School vouchers may be obscuring new and improved teaching methods.

Can we figure out how to collect the hundreds of Billions of dollars of uncollected taxes?

Can we win more friends around the world with honey than with vinegar?

Can you think of others?