I think you have to be more explicit because I don't understand fully what you mean.

Which fire department? Are you talking about doge? In your allegory, it more like: a firebomb caused 20 fires, and after a few nights, the fire department all quit, called it a 'success', flooded an area untouched by fire, and now the area have 25 fires and a flood. Also they paid themselves a bonus because of a job well done.

Which trim? Are you talking about the US balanced budget? Why is that setting goalposts? I mean, I personally don't care about a balanced budget, but budget hawks do, and doing it without reducing social aid seems like a good goalpost to have, no? Should we move them? If so, where?