What I've ultimately discovered is that the only time people enter "Can we afford it?" into the discussion, it's because they're looking for an excuse for it no

What I've ultimately discovered is that the only time people enter "Can we afford it?" into the discussion, it's because they're looking for an excuse for it not to happen. Try taking a close look at how the US budget actually breaks down. It's quite a task since it's an enormous budget. But, if you boil it down to a pie chart, you'll find that we spend an absurd amount on "defense", most of which is wasted. You'll also find that Congress will routinely spend enormous sums of money - in the trillions - on things that aren't health care (e.g. wars & combat, economic bailouts, etc.), without ever asking how it can be afforded, and it doesn't cause the whole system to come crashing down. It's about priorities, and finding legislators to elect who share the correct ones. I believe that we'll get there, slowly, one funeral at a time.